Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Technician

Tufts; Grafton (MA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Mentorship and growth opportunities

Competitive pay ladder

Job summary

The Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Technician at Tufts University’s Foster Hospital for Small Animals provides comprehensive nursing care and assists clinicians in emergency and critical care cases. The role includes teaching veterinary students and supporting clinical research, with a rotating schedule including holidays.

Qualified applicants should have a high school diploma and at least two years of veterinary technical experience; a CVT/LVT/RVT credential is preferred.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma (or equivalent).
• 2 years of experience as veterinary assistant/technician or similar technical experience.
• Preferred: Bachelor's in Veterinary Technology.
• Experience with emergency/critical care is a plus.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work flexible schedules.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality patient care and nursing support.
• Assist clinicians with procedures and diagnostic testing.
• Teach and mentor veterinary students and technicians.
• Support research and comply with hospital standards.
• Maintain inventory and cleanliness of clinical areas.
• Communicate discharge instructions to clients and educate them.

Skills

Vital signs monitoring

Phlebotomy

Fluid therapy monitoring

Medication administration

Team collaboration

EMR system proficiency

Patient care

Ability to lift 50 lbs

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor's in Veterinary Technology (preferred)

Tools

EMR system

Job description

Overview

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University provides compassionate, high-quality veterinary care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Since 1985, the Foster Hospital for Small Animals has delivered comprehensive medical, specialty, referral, and emergency services for dogs, cats, and exotic animals.

Our veterinary technicians play a vital role in delivering exceptional patient care, educating and mentoring future veterinary professionals, and collaborating with leading clinicians across a wide range of specialties. As part of an academic teaching hospital, our team contributes to both outstanding clinical care and the education of the next generation of veterinary professionals.

Grow Your Skills. Advance Your Career.

Whether you're an experienced technician looking to expand your specialty skills or a recent graduate seeking mentorship and support, Tufts offers opportunities to learn, develop, and thrive in a collaborative academic hospital environment.

Specialty Training and Development Opportunities

Looking to take your skills beyond general practice? Our teaching hospital offers exposure to advanced diagnostics, specialty procedures, complex medical cases, and multidisciplinary patient care. You'll have opportunities to cross-train, learn from experienced specialists, and develop your skills in areas that align with your professional interests.

This position qualifies for a $3,500 sign on bonus following successful completion of 6 months of employment for newly hired employees.

What You'll Do

The Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Technician performs diverse clinical duties in veterinary patient nursing care, as well as more complex technical procedures. The ECC Technician contributes to the teaching and instruction of veterinary and technician students, performing basic technical skill and veterinary nursing care.

The Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Technician is considered an essential employee within the hospital and the schedule may include providing University and calendar holiday coverage on a rotating basis.

Essential Functions as a Veterinary Technician in the ECC will be:

• Patient Care - Provide high quality patient care including the following:
  
  
  
  • Monitor, manage and implement treatment plans as ordered by clinicians to insure prompt delivery of high-quality patient care.
  
  
  • Assist clinicians with procedures.
  
  
  • Collaborate with administrative and clinical care team members throughout the hospital to coordinate and prioritize patient care.
  
  
  • Complete diagnostic testing as ordered by clinicians including bench-top lab tests
  
  
  
  


• Teaching – Teaching responsibilities include:
  
  
  
  • Instruct veterinary students and student technicians in all technical aspects of patient care.
  
  
  • Assist in training, orienting, and mentoring new Veterinary Technicians in all aspects of the department.
  
  
  
  


• Research – Provide technical assistance in academic and clinical research including treating research/laboratory animals


• Maintenance - Clinical maintenance includes:
  
  
  
  • Maintain adequate inventory of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
  
  
  • Clean and maintain clinical areas including nurses’ stations, wards, intensive care unit, and emergency room
  
  
  
  


• Miscellaneous - Other duties as assigned by supervisor and assistant supervisor include:
  
  
  
  • Provide coverage for other sections of the hospital as needed.
  
  
  • Participate in service and hospital wide initiatives as required.
  
  
  • Complete at least 6 hours of RACE approved CE annually.
  
  
  • Effectively communicate with clients to provide education, explain treatment plans, and review discharge instructions including medication administration.
  
  
  
  

Current open schedules include:

• Overnight, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday 6:30 PM -7:00 AM

OR

• Overnight, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 6:30 PM – 7:00 AM

OR

• Thursday, Friday, Saturday 12:00 PM -12:30 AM

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• High School Diploma (or equivalent)


• 2 years of experience as a veterinary assistant or veterinary technician, or similar technical experience

Required Technical Skills

Candidates must be able to perform at least 90% of the following skills upon hire or to be able to trained successfully in the following skills in the first three months of employment:

• Safely restrain all species treated in the hospital


• Assess the attitude and responsiveness of patients being treated


• Obtain vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and capillary refill time


• Phlebotomy and catheter placement


• Dosage calculations for oral and injectable medications


• Fluid therapy monitoring


• Ability to administer oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications


• Comprehensive understanding of medical terminology and familiarity with veterinary pharmacology.


• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities for several patients within a busy clinical setting.


• Ability to effectively work as a member of a diverse team of clinical and administrative professionals.


• Basic computer skills including the ability to learn the electronic medical record system.


• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Veterinary Technology


• Four or more years of ECC veterinary medicine experience


• CVT, LVT, or RVT credential


• Experience in specialty, emergency, referral, or academic medicine


• Fear Free or Low Stress Handling Certification


• Experience with exotic animal species


• Rescue basic life support and advanced life support certified

Join a Team That Values Veterinary Nursing

At Tufts, veterinary technicians are more than support staff. They are educators, patient advocates, skilled clinicians, and essential members of the healthcare team.

If you're looking for challenging medicine, opportunities for growth, meaningful mentorship, and a collaborative culture that supports your professional goals, we'd love to hear from you.

Compensation

Starting pay is based on the candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, and placement within the hospital’s Veterinary Technician career ladder. Minimum starting rates for each level are as follows:

• Veterinary Technician I: $26.00/hour


• Veterinary Technician II: $29.00/hour


• Veterinary Technician III: $32.50/hour


• Veterinary Technician IV: $37.00/hour

Final placement on the career ladder will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and demonstrated competencies.

Pay Range

Minimum $26.00, Midpoint $29.00, Maximum $37.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.