Veterinary Technician III- Neurology

The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy; Grafton (MA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts University - Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine is seeking a Neurology Technician to support the Neurology Service. You will assist with anesthesia, patient care, and clinical instruction for veterinary students and residents in a busy specialty hospital setting.

The role includes performing complex nursing duties, coordinating with clinicians, and contributing to research efforts while maintaining high standards of patient safety and client service.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated mastery of advanced anesthesia technical and procedural skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proven ability to mentor students and junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced anesthesia management during peri-anesthetic period.
• Deliver patient care following hospital standards to minimize fear and pain.
• Maintain accurate medical records and anesthesia logs.
• Instruct veterinary students and interns in anesthesia protocols.

Skills

Advanced anesthesia skills

Independent worker

Teaching/mentoring

Customer service

Education

AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program

Associate's or bachelor's degree

CVT certification

Tools

EMR systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

At Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, we provide exceptional 24/7 veterinary care for companion animals every day of the year. Since 1985, our hospitals have delivered advanced medical, surgical, emergency, and specialty care for dogs, cats, and exotic pets while serving as a leading referral center throughout New England. The Neurology Service is dedicated to delivering outstanding patient care through advanced diagnostic imaging, electrodiagnostic testing, and innovative medical and surgical treatment of neurologic disorders. Our team is committed to providing compassionate care and exceptional client service while supporting the educational mission of the school. As a teaching service, Neurology plays a vital role in training veterinary students, interns, residents, and veterinary technicians. Working in a collaborative academic environment, the service advances the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and management of neurologic diseases in companion animals through clinical excellence, education, and research. This creates a dynamic and rewarding workplace for veterinary technicians seeking opportunities to develop advanced skills and make a meaningful impact on patient care.

What You’ll Do

The Neurology Technician plays an integral role in delivering exceptional patient care within the Neurology Service. This position supports the diagnosis, treatment, nursing care, anesthesia management, and surgical care of both inpatient and outpatient neurology cases while working closely with board-certified neurologists, residents, interns, veterinary students, and fellow technicians. The Neurology Technician assists with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including electrodiagnostic testing, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection, muscle and nerve biopsies, MRI, and CT imaging studies. This individual independently conducts technician appointments, assists with patient examinations and rehabilitation treatments, provides client support and education, and participates in the clinical instruction of veterinary students. A significant responsibility of this role includes anesthesia case management for neurology patients undergoing advanced imaging and surgical procedures. The Neurology Technician performs patient assessments, develops and implements anesthetic plans in collaboration with clinicians, administers and monitors anesthesia, manages ventilated patients, and responds to anesthetic complications using critical thinking and advanced nursing skills. The technician is responsible for maintaining accurate anesthesia records, ensuring patient safety throughout the peri-anesthetic period, and providing comprehensive recovery care for neurologic and neurosurgical patients. The Neurology technician also supports neurosurgical procedures from assistance in patient preparation, operating room assistance and maintenance of surgical supplies and equipment. As a Veterinary Technician III, the successful candidate will be an experienced Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) who performs advanced nursing care, anesthesia management, and complex technical procedures while maintaining the highest standards of patient care, client service, and teaching support within a busy specialty and academic hospital environment. Once trained, this position will participate in a rotating on-call emergency schedule.

Essential functions in this role will be:

Technical Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive patient assessment and anesthesia management throughout the peri-anesthetic period, including induction, maintenance, monitoring, and recovery.
• Deliver patient care in accordance with the hospital’s standards for minimizing fear, anxiety, stress, and pain and promoting patient well-being.
• Monitor patients closely and implement clinician-directed diagnostic, therapeutic, and nursing care plans to ensure timely, high-quality patient care.
• Assist clinicians with a variety of diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures.
• Collaborate effectively with clinical and administrative team members across the hospital to coordinate, prioritize, and optimize patient care and workflow.
• Perform diagnostic testing as ordered by clinicians, including point-of-care and bench-top laboratory procedures.
• Provide advanced technical support for clinical service, teaching, and research activities.
• Assist clinicians in maintaining accurate, complete, and timely medical records in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in cross-training and provide support in other hospital services and clinical areas as needed to meet operational and patient care needs.

Teaching and Leadership

• Clinical instruction of anesthesia protocols and procedures to veterinary students, interns, residents, and student technicians throughout the neurology rotation
• Instruct, direct, and assist residents, interns, students, new technicians and student technicians with all technical aspects including treatments, medical procedures, hospital protocols, use and care of medical supplies, instruments, and equipment used on these services
• Develop and maintain a service SOP binder so that others can function in the service adequately in your absence
• May be asked to participate in providing formal continuing education instruction.
• Serve as a mentor for veterinary technicians and facilitate the on-boarding process in collaboration with supervisor.
• Demonstrate excellent leadership skills, resourcefulness, and self-accountability.

Client Communication

• Provide patient updates for inpatients and record in StringSoft.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with clients regarding patient status, diagnostic results, treatment plans, and scheduling needs.
• Manage prescription refill requests.
• Admit patients for hospitalization, testing and surgical procedures.
• Discharge patients reviewing home care instructions and answer client questions.
• Referring veterinarian and client communication as directed
• Review financial estimates with clients

Departmental and Additional Responsibilities

• Cleaning and stocking of supplies and equipment in all areas of the Neurology department, and surgical areas
• Maintain adequate inventory of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
• Ensure all treatment areas are maintained in good condition, submit requests for improvements or work orders as needed or scheduling service.
• Provide coverage for other shifts and areas within the department as needed.
• Participate in Departmental and Hospital-wide initiatives as required.

Research

• Assist faculty with ongoing research projects.

What We’re Looking For

Basic Requirements

• Demonstrated mastery of advanced anesthesia technical and procedural skills.
• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) in good standing.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology, veterinary nursing, or veterinary science program, or a degree in a closely related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience as a Certified Veterinary Technician, preferably in an academic, specialty, or comparable clinical environment.
• Proven ability to work independently and perform complex clinical tasks with minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively within a diverse team of clinical and administrative professionals.
• Strong knowledge of veterinary medical terminology and pharmacology, including the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to adverse drug reactions.
• Demonstrated commitment to exceptional customer service and the ability to work collegially and professionally with clients, students, faculty, staff, and colleagues.
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic self-starter with a professional demeanor and strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in student instruction and mentoring, as evidenced by positive student feedback and teaching performance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and electronic medical record (EMR) systems.

Required Technical Skills

• Specialized technical skills in veterinary neurology or the demonstrated ability to acquire these skills within three (3) months of hire.
• Ability to independently recognize cardiopulmonary arrest and initiate CPR protocols in the absence of an attending veterinarian.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with small animal anesthesia, neurology or critical care
• 3 years dedicated specialty experience in a busy, fast-paced hospital
• Veterinary Technician Specialist level skillset in neurology, anesthesia or critical care
• Experience teaching other technicians, veterinary students, veterinary technician students
• Fear Free or Low Stress Handling Certification
• RECOVER Certification
• Able to work well independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to work in a busy, stressful environment with diverse personalities while maintaining a calm, professional demeanor.

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.