Lead Large Animal Technician - North Carolina State University : Job Details

The NC State Veterinary Hospital (VH), established in 1983, is one of the highest rated veterinary academic medical centers in the country, serving communities throughout North Carolina as well as many other states. The hospital staffs over twenty clinical services with board certified specialists that are nationally and even internationally renowned, ensuring the VH is on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine. Patients benefit from the combined expertise of multiple specialists utilizing a team approach to patient health care. Each year, nearly 35,000 patients are treated in the VH. The VH provides compassionate care, state of the art specialty health care, expert clinical instruction for 4th year veterinary students from College of Veterinary Medicine, and ongoing investigation of innovative techniques and procedures to further advance the field of veterinary medicine.

Essential Job Duties

The Lead Large Animal Technician functions within the Equine and Farm Animal Center. The individual ensures that all patients in this hospital will receive high quality care by monitoring and managing the flow of patients, staffing needs and communications. The incumbent will be responsible for working directly alongside technicians, assistants, and clinicians on the treatment floor to determine on call needs, redistribution of staffing, and after-hours consultations with faculty and/or administration. The incumbent will accurately assign hospitalized EFAVC patients to treating technicians based on individual experience level and present technical ability.

Duties include but are not limited to:

* Act as a liaison between Director of EFAVC & HWC, EFAVC Technician Supervisor, and EFAVC Lead Training Technician to ensure that patient care efforts are appropriately distributed and assigned, SOPs are followed, transfer of patients from one EFAVC department to another are planned and an overall support of communication between all stakeholders.

* This position will need to have excellent critical thinking and interpersonal skills to be able to question, analyze, interpret and apply inductive and deductive reasoning quickly and efficiently.

* Assist the Director of EFAVC & HWC along with the EFAVC technician supervisor and fellow EFAVC Training Technician in the planning, coordination and implementation of patient care initiatives, training modules, and hospital wide goals.

* Serve collaboratively with fellow EFAVC Training Technician and is responsible for the implementation and success of hands-on training for fellow staff members.

* Consistently assess training progress and provide constructive feedback to staff receiving training in real time.

* Think critically to assess complex situations to ensure resources are allocated appropriately for patient care needs and the needs of staff training and success, simultaneously.

* Act as a patient care technician for the various EFAVC departments, providing unique internal customer service, technical assistance, data collection, and patient care.

* Perform various large animal technical procedures including; post-operative support and monitoring, Intravenous catheter placement for both short and long term vein access, venipuncture, IV injections, wound management, drug administration (IV, Oral, IM), bandage care, blood transfusion administration, TPN administration, and various other routine diagnostic testing.

* Aid in continuing the educational efforts of all aforementioned duties as well as other large animal technical skills in real time, as need is presented.

* Provide excellent large animal patient care by applying full knowledge of anatomy, physiology, disease processes, pharmacology, specialized equipment usage, and specialized drug administration.

* Complete specialized treatments in an accurately and timely fashion. Work proactively to keep EFAVC patients clean and comfortable.

* Record a variety of data relating to patient care and treatments, and EFAVC service related communications. Provide quick and accurate information regarding each patient, acting as the liaison between service and other EFAVC departmental technicians. Be proficient in entering data into electronic medical record.

* Maintain a clean working environment to ensure Infectious Disease standards are followed and infection is not spread. Handle all medical/biological and infectious waste appropriately. Follows all radiation safety, OSHA, and Environmental Health and Safety standards.

* Keep all necessary equipment in clean and working order and has all necessary and appropriate stocked supplies available for procedures and daily patient husbandry.

Other Responsibilities

* Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Experience/Education

Completion of an accredited training program in the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Some positions may require additional Training, Certifications, or Licensure.

Other Required Qualifications

* Ability to motivate and engage employees through effective communication.

* Strong listening and communication skills to resolve and/or document staff concerns.

* Critical Thinking Ability to question, analyze, interpret, and apply inductive and deductive reasoning.

* Ability to support innovation and creativity by encouraging staff to accept and resolve challenges.

* Previous experience as a technician in an Equine tertiary care facility.

* Ability to work with or around sick animals, potentially hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odors.

* Ability to communicate professionally and effectively at all times and maintain professionalism in emotionally charged / challenging situations.

* Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, with or without accommodations.

* Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and be an active participant in problem solving and team advancement.

* Ability to work effectively with computers and electronics.

* Ability to work independently and practice good judgment to ensure high quality care for EFAVC patients and request assistance when needed.

Preferred Qualifications

N/A

Required License or Certification

* Licensed/Registered/Certified by any state

* Graduation from an AVMA fully accredited two- or four-year Veterinary Technician program or equivalent combination of training and experience.

* A valid NC driver's license must be obtained within 60 days of start date and must be maintained throughout employment.

Valid NC Driver's License required Yes Commercial Driver's License Required? No