Career Opportunities

Position Overview

Intensive Care Unit veterinary technicians are under the direct guidance and supervision of the doctor.  Incumbents of this position are required to assist the practitioners to the fullest possible extent, to help improve the quality of care given to the patients of Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital and to aid the practitioners in achieving greater efficiency by relieving them of technical work and administrative detail.

Major Duties

• Prepare for shift by rounding with the previous ICU tech to familiarize yourself with all ICU patients so you can properly care for, treat, assess, and monitor all ICU patients.
• Monitor patients chart and complete all upcoming treatments. This includes but is not limited to; preparing medications; both oral and injectable. Obtaining samples for diagnostics. Checking on patients well-being; that their bedding is clean and changed often, their water bowls (if allowed) are filled with fresh water and changed often, they are being offered appropriate food (if allowed) and monitored if eating well/normally. That all patients’ information (minor or major) is charted properly and on time in the patients’ record. Patients’ mentation is closely monitored for any minor changes or abnormalities.
• Monitor patients vitals and know when to alert the doctor of any major changes. Input progress notes often to alert other techs/assts/doctors to changes made. Properly checking your charts and frequently looking for notes the doctor may have input and verifying that treatments your assistant may help you with are all accurately obtained and entered.
• Proficiently place IVCs, monitor IVCs for puffy paws, improper taping, swelling above (SQ, vasculitis, phlebitis, etc), IVC care and site assessment. Monitoring and recording IVC timeframe/longevity.
• Performing diagnostics (no blood draws from cephalic veins and all jug sticks have to be dr authorized): This includes but is not limited to: Blood pressures (Doppler and Cardell), Bloodwork: all vetlabs, I-stats, Coaggs, PCV/TS, Snap tests, Lepto witness, blood typing, blood cross matching, slide auto-agglutination, blood glucose check, collecting urine via catheter/cysto/free catch, collecting samples for send out labwork including knowing proper collection technique and proper collection tubes. Patients radiographs. Checking patient saturated oxygen levels.
• Proficient in math/calculations: CRIs, fluid additives, injection doses, oral medication strengths, IV fluid boluses and times, IV fluid rates, etc.
• Assist the doctor with treatment of patients; including but not limited to; placing NG/NE tubes, placing long term &/or multi-lumen catheter, placing urinary catheters, placing nasal oxygen prongs/canulas and starting supportive oxygen therapy, placing long term ECG pads and starting telemetry monitoring.
• Properly, promptly, and knowledgeably run a CPR/code with a DVM. Being able to intubate a patient. Calculate, draw up, and administer ER drugs. Chart all info on CPR/code form. Properly bag/breathe for patient and give chest compressions. Attached all cardell telemetries to patient, asses that machine is working properly.
• Keep proper flow of the ICU, making sure all treatments are completed before or at time due. Monitor charts and adjust appropriate treatments so that patients can rest appropriately and the flow remains achievable.
• Ensure all emergency and CPR equipment and materials (anesthesia machine, suctions, ET tubes, ER drugs, telemtries, ambu bag/crash cart, etc) are available, prepared, and RTG for all emergency/CPRs for each shift.
• Ensure that when patients are getting prepared for discharge, you verify times and properly complete treatments ahead if directed to, medications and or prescription diets are prepared for go home (if time allows your assistant to help with this), discharge instructions are properly filled out with next due times of all medications is applicable, patients IVC(s) is removed before or at time of leaving your ICU, all previous bandaged are removed if applicable, all patient/client belongings leave with patient. The person that discharges the patient is responsible then returning to clean the kennel/run. If ICU has time, they will clean it or at least strip it down for them.
• Check monthly/weekly list and complete tasks when time allows. Check your personal ICU tasks and make sure it’s completed when due. Keep your room clean and organized at all times. Make sure you’re stocked with items you’ll need throughout your shift so you do not have to leave ICU often. Make sure your room is left this way when passing it onto the next ICU tech. Your assistant will be a huge role in helping with this, however no one is expect from cleaning/stocking. .

Advancement

Veterinary Technicians in this practice will be taught and trained to the limits of their potential.  If, during training, an individual shows interest in a specific field, such as oncology or anesthesiology, continuing education in that field will be encouraged.  Such encouragement may be in the form of a subsidy for taking outside courses or formal training given in the practice.

Other Significant Facts

Knowledge:

• RVT or equivalent; minimum 3-5 years of critical care, intensive care, and emergency experience
• Knowledge of the procedures used for care and monitoring of patients, for ordering medical supplies, and requesting laboratory tests, running CPRs.
• Knowledge of the use, care, and storage of veterinary instruments, materials, medications, and equipment.
• Knowledge of sterilization techniques to sterilize various instruments and materials.
• Knowledge of the instruments, materials, and standardized procedures used in the full variety of treatments/procedures to make preparations and provide assistance to DVM.

Skills:

• TPR/ physical assessment
• Drug administration/ dosage calculation
• Venipuncture
• Catheter placement – both venous and urinary
• Cystocentesis – “blind” stick and ultrasound guided
• CPR
• Critical care and emergency assessment skills
• Record/ interpret ECG
• Radiology
• Anesthesiology
• Post surgical care/ monitoring
• Perform laboratory tests; CBC, Chem, UA, viral tests, PT/PTT, Idexx/Antech labs, etc.
• Set up and monitoring of equipment such as Doppler, Cardell, SpO2, ECG, IV fluid pumps, anesthesia machines, suction pumps, crash cart, O2 cage
• Recognition and knowledge of infectious/ zoonotic disease, education on how to treat these patients in ICU.
• Customer service/ communication skills for patient updates.

Physical Effort:

Work often requires lifting and carrying animals which may weigh upwards of 100 lbs.  Technicians will be assisted by each other in working with larger animals. Walks or stands for extended periods of time; frequently works in bent position.

Working Conditions:

Work often exposes the ICU Technician to unpleasant odors and noises.  May be exposed to bites, scratches, and animal waste; may also be exposed to contagious diseases.

Why Consider Our Santa Cruz Hospital?