Job Description

About VSC Sarasota

Veterinary Surgery Center of Sarasota is a state-of-the-art specialty center located in the beautiful area of University Park in Sarasota/Bradenton. We specialize in small animal veterinary surgery and rehabilitation where patients require high levels of care. At VSC Sarasota, we are committed to providing the highest level of client services by offering individualized attention and compassionate care to all of our clients and patients.

We strive to help our clients understand their pet's condition and will advocate the best possible treatment. Operating at the forefront of veterinary medicine, we stay apprised of new innovations and offer the most current surgery techniques, medical technologies, and novel therapies as well as exceed our clients' expectations with honesty, respect and compassion by treating each pet as if they are our own.

At VSC Sarasota, we provide a very collaborative and enjoyable team work environment. We encourage growth, innovation, and additional training. We practice in a rich and rewarding environment where patient care can be optimized and learning is continuous.

We are located in a rapidly growing area with entertainment, shopping, and recreation all around. Surrounded by some of the nation's top rated beaches, only a short fifteen-minute drive from the hospital will take you to the gorgeous coastline of Sarasota Bay. Outdoor activities are in abundance and the weather is very accommodating. The pristine Nathan Benderson Park, within biking distance of our hospital, offers frequent local events and activities year-round including NCAA Rowing competition.

Overview

Veterinary Surgery Center of Sarasota is looking for a compassionate, driven, and outgoing Certified Veterinary Technician to join our team. Interested candidates should have compassion for both animals and humans, show a commitment to quality care, conduct themselves with the utmost integrity, and always be able to provide the best service possible for our clients and patients.

The ideal candidate must have strong communication skills, an energetic attitude, empathy, and enthusiasm for helping both clients and patients. Technicians must possess good critical thinking and problem solving skills, be able to multitask and accept constructive criticism. You should be committed to furthering your education, thereby providing the most advanced care to our patients. Additionally, you must excel in collaborating with co-workers, our referring veterinarians, and our clients.

Essential Functions

Provide compassionate care to patients and clients at all times; maintain professional and courteous manner, even when stressed

Possess strong communication skills, an energetic attitude, empathy, and enthusiasm for helping clients and patients

Demonstrate excellence in customer service, attention to detail, written and verbal communication skills, as well as mental reasoning and mathematic skills

Must have basic computer literacy skills and be able to handle multiple unrelated tasks simultaneously while working in a busy environment.

Maintain positive and cooperative relationships with teammates; excel at collaborating with our referring veterinarians and their staff

Willingness to learn, be guided, and pursue continuing education opportunities

Work well independently and in a group

Possess sufficient ambulatory skills in order to perform duties while in the hospital including the ability to manipulate (lift, carry, move) 50 lbs. or more; walk, stoop, kneel, and crouch intermittently, and stand for long periods of time

Professional appearance required; scrubs are to be worn at all times

Ability to be confident around animals, showing proper safety and restraint techniques Understand during peak season that patient needs and work volume may often require more than 40 hours per week to complete essential duties of this job

Responsibilities

Nursing Services

Assist in all levels of patient nursing care

Display willingness and eagerness to learn about surgical diseases and their treatments

Knowledge and experience of handling fearful, painful and/or aggressive patients while using proper safety and low stress restraint techniques

Examine, monitor, and recognize patients for clinical signs of illness, distress, pain; Detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury and notify the veterinarian to take proper measures to treat

Provides emergency first aid and nursing care for sick, injured or recovering patients; Perform CPR and lifesaving procedures

Ability to place and maintain intravenous catheters as outlined in the hospital nursing manual

Familiarity with function of fluid and syringe pumps and proper fluid administration knowledge

Proficiency in math and formulating drug dosages; Calculate and administer medications

Adherence to policy and procedures when handling controlled drugs

Administration of medications (both oral and parenteral), treatments, or blood products, etc. to patients as prescribed by the veterinarian

Collect patient samples for laboratory testing, operate in-house laboratory equipment, proper preparation of samples for outside laboratory testing, and ability to recognize abnormal results

Knowledge of radiation safety and adherence to state and federal laws; Maintain use of proper radiation protection techniques while performing radiographs at all times

Knowledge of patient positioning for radiographs

Safe handling and proper disposable of medical sharps and waste

Maintain and properly operate all hospital equipment and surgical materials

Intubate, anesthetize, and maintain patients under anesthesia; knowledge of anesthesia monitoring, recognize abnormalities and notify the veterinarian

Assist and monitor patients in all surgical and out-patient procedures

Prepare patient, OR and surgical instruments necessary for each surgery or procedure

Knowledge and proficiency of sterile technique, surgical site preparation, and OR protocol and procedures

Monitor patients pre and post-op and notify the veterinarian of any abnormalities

Clean, prepare, and maintain surgical suites, exam rooms, treatment areas, kennels, reception, to control the spread of pathogens

Clean, maintain, and sterilize surgical instruments or equipment according to hospital protocol

Proficient with the hospital records keeping system and patient monitoring system using available resources

Follow hospital policy for cleaning and stocking

Collect and record patient vital signs, complete patient history and record in digital medical record system

Ability to place bandages, casts, and splints as directed by the veterinarian

Follow hospital euthanasia procedures and assist veterinarian when necessary

Client Services

Perform reception duties including answering clinic phone, scheduling appointments, handling receipt of payments, and assisting clients all while being courteous and friendly
Greet clients and patients by name and check-in/check-out for appointments

Place follow-up calls to clients regarding their pet's post-procedural recovery and answer any questions that may arise

Provide knowledgeable instruction concerning the care and treatment of our patients; Educates or advises clients on care of their pet regarding services at VSC

Follow hospital policies and procedures when handling client concerns or complaints

Record all client communications in hospital digital records system

Admit/discharge patients following hospital policy and procedures; Communicate all necessary forms, consents and/or instructions

Know common procedures, treatments, drug names and protocols and be able to explain to clients

Every employee represents Veterinary Surgery Center of Sarasota at all times. Employees are expected to act in the best interest of the hospital, even if doing so requires actions not listed in this job description. The job description is provided for informational purposes only and is subject to revision by management when client needs and patient services require change. There may be additional responsibilities assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

Education: Associates Degree Degree or License: Certified/Licensed Veterinary Technician (or equivalent) Experience: Minimum of 1-2 years as a technician at a specialty hospital or 3 years as technician in general practice

Compensation + Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical/dental/vision for full-time employees, 401k, paid time off, scrubs provided by VSC, and employee pet discounts.

Veterinary Surgery Center of Sarasota is committed to a diverse work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We provide equal employment opportunities to all candidates and ensure that access to jobs is strictly based on job-related criteria.

We are a Drug Free Workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance
Experience:

Veterinary Technician: 1 year (Required)
Ability to Commute:

University Park, FL 34201 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:

University Park, FL 34201: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person