Veterinary Technician II - Anesthesia

Tufts University; North Grafton (MA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuing education allowance

Tuition reimbursement

Holiday premium pay

Job summary

Tufts University invites applications for a Veterinary Technician II on the Anesthesia Service at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. You will monitor anesthesia, manage a busy caseload, and support veterinary students and clinicians in a collaborative hospital environment.

The role includes teaching responsibilities, continuing education allowances, and rotating on-call shifts with holiday coverage. A strong foundation in veterinary anesthesia and teamwork is essential.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent with 3 years of veterinary technician experience in a fast-paced hospital.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree from an AVMA-accredited institution in veterinary technology, nursing, or science; one year experience in a university or large-scale hospital.
• Certified Veterinary Technician in good standing.
• Ability to work independently on basic tasks and perform advanced tasks under supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for a diverse team.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and EMR systems.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, manage, and implement treatment plans as ordered by clinicians to ensure prompt delivery of high-quality patient care.
• Collaborate with the hospital care team to coordinate and prioritize patient care.
• Assess and manage anesthesia from induction through recovery.
• Provide high-level technical support for anesthesia-related nursing care.
• Teach veterinary and technician students during anesthesia rotation and clinical duties.
• Assist in training new technicians and orienting staff.
• Maintain cleanliness and stock supplies; manage equipment and on-call coverage.

Skills

Anesthesia basics

Team collaboration

Veterinary nursing

Communication skills

MS Office

Education

AVMA-accredited degree

High School diploma

Tools

EMR systems

Electronic medical records

Job description

Overview

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University is a nationally recognized leader in advanced veterinary care, education, and research, providing 24/7, year-round services for over 30 years. Our commitment to excellence drives innovation in both patient care and the training of future veterinary leaders.

The Anesthesia Service is a collaborative, highly skilled team made up of four board-certified anesthesiologists, three residents, and eighteen dedicated technicians. Together, we deliver exceptional anesthesia and analgesia care across a diverse and challenging caseload, ranging from routine procedures to critically ill patients in both small and large animal medicine.

Working here means being part of a supportive, team-oriented environment where your expertise is valued, your growth is encouraged, and your contributions directly impact patient outcomes and veterinary education.

What You’ll Do

As a technician on the anesthesia team, you will perform anesthesia of all kinds, manage a busy and diverse caseload as well as support and teach veterinary students. The technician accurately assesses and reports changes in patient parameters and works with students and clinicians on appropriate intervention. Monitor, manage and implement treatment plans as ordered by clinicians. Provide high level technical support for all clinical facets of caring for the animals entrusted to our care. The Veterinary Technician II performs complex and diverse clinical duties in veterinary patient nursing care and performs more complex technical procedures. A liberal continuing education allowance and tuition reimbursement is provided to all technicians employed in Foster Hospital for Small Animals to promote personal and professional growth. The minimum rate of pay for this position is $27 per hour with a 35-hour budgeted work week. Compensation above this rate will vary based on education, experience, and credentials. Generous shift differentials are offered for any scheduled hours worked outside of normal business hours, which are Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm, and range between an additional $2-$4 per hour. The Anesthesia 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. A substantial holiday premium pay is applied to any University designated holiday. The University observes a minimum of thirteen holidays throughout the calendar year. Once trained, this position will participate in a rotating on-call emergency schedule which includes weeknights, weekends, and holidays.

Essential Functions

Essential Functions in this role will be:

Clinical

• Monitor, manage, and implement treatment plans as ordered by clinicians to insure prompt delivery of high-quality patient care.
• Collaborate with administrative and clinical care team members throughout the hospital to coordinate and prioritize patient care.
• Assessment and anesthetic management of patients from induction, throughout procedure, through to recovery.
• Anesthetic patient monitoring, identifying concerns with patients and intervening as needed.
• Routinely perform technical duties such as IV catheter placement, intubation, medical calculations, pain assessments and drug administration.
• Provide care to patients and support to co-workers and students that are consistent with hospital standards of minimizing fear, anxiety, stress and pain in our patients.
• Complete diagnostic testing as ordered by clinicians including bench-top lab tests.

Teaching

• Contributes to the teaching and instruction of veterinary and technician students performing basic technical skills and veterinary nursing care.
• Clinical instruction of basic and more advanced anesthesia protocols and procedures for veterinary students, interns, residents and student technicians throughout anesthesia rotation.
• Assist in training, orienting, and mentoring new veterinary technicians in all aspects of the service.
• Engage students to ensure they are receiving a successful and fulfilling education in the department.

Departmental & Additional Responsibilities

• Cleaning and stocking of supplies and equipment in all areas of the small animal hospital for which anesthesia is responsible.
• Maintain adequate inventory of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
• Facilitate the maintenance of clinical equipment by identifying malfunctioning equipment and scheduling service.
• Provide coverage for other shifts and sections of the hospital as needed.
• Participate in service and hospital-wide initiatives as required.

Research

• Assist faculty with ongoing research projects.

What We’re Looking For

Basic Requirements

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Mastery of basic technical skills associated with anesthesia, including mandatory skills below.
• High School diploma or equivalent and 3 years of experience as a veterinary technician in a fast-paced hospital

OR

• Associate OR bachelor's degree from an AVMA-accredited institution providing training in veterinary technology, veterinary nursing, or veterinary science, and one year experience at a University hospital or large scale hospital.

OR

• Certified Veterinary Technician in good standing.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently when completing basic tasks and procedural skills, and the ability to conduct more advanced tasks under supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team of clinical and administrative professionals.
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic self-starter with a professional attitude.
• Comprehensive understanding of medical terminology and veterinary pharmacology.
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent service to both internal and external customers.

Experience with Microsoft Office and ability to learn electronic medical record systems and other software systems used.

Minimum Required Technical Skills

• Safely restrain cats, dogs and exotic patients
• Assess the attitude and responsiveness of dogs and cats
• Obtain vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and capillary refill time.
• Be able to identify animals in pain or distress
• IV catheterization
• Phlebotomy (cephalic, saphenous, jugular)
• Dosage calculations for medications, fluid therapy, and continuous rate infusions.
• Set up of fluid therapy systems and fluid therapy monitoring
• Monitoring and identifying physiological parameters in patients under sedation and general anesthesia.
• Familiarity with sedatives and tranquilizers.
• Ability to use point of care machines.
• Describe steps required and be able to assist in CPR.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership skills and resourcefulness.
• Certified Veterinary Technician designation preferred.
• Experience with electronic medical records.
• Prior experience with an emphasis in anesthesia
• Excellent understanding of medical terminology and familiarity with veterinary pharmacology
• Excellent interpersonal skills in relating to co-workers, clinicians, students, staff and clients.
• Interest to learn advanced anesthesia practices/protocols/patient assessment
• Fear Free Certification
• RECOVER Certification
Exotic Animal Handling ExperienceExperience working with large animals and/or an interest working with large animals

Pay Range

Minimum $27.85, Midpoint $33.15, Maximum $38.50

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