Veterinary Care Generalist - Small Animal Surgery

Veterinary Care Generalist - Small Animal Surgery Veterinary Teaching Hospital Job Summary

The Veterinary Care Generalist will be responsible for providing standard paramedical technical support and nursing care in a courteous and professional manner for the Small Animal Surgery service at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. In addition, this position may be asked to assist in other areas of the hospital based on operational need. Due to the teaching nature of the hospital, this position may also supervise and instruct professional students and veterinary technician students in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and procedures.

Learn to prepare patients for surgery:

• Assist with restraint and transport of patient into surgery
• Position patient on surgical table according to standard operating procedures or specific veterinarian instruction (Learn all surgical positions and associated terminologies)
• Prepare patient for surgery (e.g., scrub surgical site for aseptic surgery, insert IV catheter, etc.)
• Clip patient according to standard procedure or specific clinician instructions regarding surgery site
• Administer medications, fluids, etc. under the direction of the veterinarian

Learn to prepare surgical suite, instruments and equipment for aseptic surgery:

• Open and handle sterile surgical instruments onto an aseptic field according to aseptic technique.
• Operate, clean and perform routine maintenance on surgical equipment according to aseptic technique
• Sterilize and wrap surgical instruments using different sterilization techniques, such as gas, autoclave, and plasma

Learn to provide standard paramedical technical and nursing assistance during surgical procedures:

• Provide surgeon with surgical instruments by name and function
• Respond to requests by clinicians for paramedical technical assistance
• Learn to utilize and monitor highly specialized surgical instruments and equipment
• Provide intro-operative radiographic procedures as necessary

Learn to provide post-surgery duties:

• Assist with transport of patient from surgical suite
• Monitor patient, record vitals and recognize, report and learn appropriate response to emergency conditions
• Apply bandages and administer medications and fluids as by veterinarian
• Dispose of sharps properly and collect opened instruments for sterilization
• Clean surgical suite and equipment according to aseptic technique
• Assist veterinary and students assigned to the section with their treatments of surgical patients

Other service duties:

• Prepare tissue and other specimen for submission for analysis
• Assist with maintaining surgical and drug supplies
• Enter procedures and charges into the Health Information System
• Assist with maintaining surgical log
• Perform other duties as assigned.

An environment of stress may be anticipated. The person in this position must be capable of reliably functioning in such an area. The amount of physical exertion will vary with assignments. For example, the assistant may be lifting a 40lb. dog on and off an examination table. The handling of any animal presents some element of risk or injury. Some strength and considerable caution are required when working with animals during diagnostic or surgical procedures.

An ability to work in the presence of animal waste and fluids is necessary. To some degree, unpleasantness may be experienced under such conditions. This position entails operating equipment, administering medications, and restraining animals of various species for examination. Exposure to anesthetic agents may present a potential hazard. Syringes, needles, and medications are potentially dangerous and must be used with care.

Persons allergic to animal dander, dust, pollen, hay, etc., may experience discomfort in this position. Work involving animals with various disease states may expose the individual to viral, bacterial, and fungal agents known to be transmissible to man. Exposure to chemicals and anesthetic waste gases may be potentially hazardous if mishandled or misused.

Successful completion or current enrollment in the final semester of a veterinary technology program accredited by the…