Classification Title:

Progressive Care Ward Veterinary Technician I/II (CARE)

Job Description:

The University of Florida Small Animal Hospital is seeking self-motivated and compassionate veterinary technicians to become part of our Progressive Care Ward team. The PCW acts as the stable patient care hub for the entire small animal hospital, ensuring each new day offers an exciting and varied array of patient cases. Our cutting edge facility offers you the opportunity to learn advanced patient care techniques in a supportive learning atmosphere. The PCW is the perfect gateway for new and experienced technicians to become better acquainted with the hospital’s culture and practices. Our technicians work in a fast-paced, teaching-driven environment alongside other experienced veterinary technicians, volunteers, students,and clinicians. Applicants must be a motivated, well-organized, and caring individuals who are knowledgeable and skillful in the nursing care of general and critically ill animal patients.
A person in this position must possess excellent communication skills and be proactive in determining the needs of the hospital. A successful applicant should enjoy learning new things and can quickly adapt to a changing environment. They need to possess a good base knowledge of veterinary medicine and express a positive attitude in their daily work. The individual must be able to communicate effectively, demonstrate critical thinking and professionalism. Individual is considered essential personnel and part of the Emergency response team which may include reporting to work during Main Campus closures.
Available Shifts:
This area needs coverage 24 hours/7 days a week. We are currently seeking to fill open weekend overnight positions. Shifts are 3 days per week working 13-hour shifts. The individual's schedule may change, with a 2-week notice, to accommodate staffing and caseload needs. This position is required to cover assigned holidays throughout the year.”
Nursing Care and Clinics
A key role for this position is to provide excellent nursing care for the hospitalized patients in the small animal hospital progressive care ward. The expectation is that the individual will communicate effectively with services to determine the needs and priorities for the patients under their care. They will bring in the area a positive “can do” attitude.
As a veterinary technician, providing high quality nursing care is essential for the care of our patients and the success of the service. The person is expected to have excellent basic nursing skills and know when to ask for help or seek guidance. We want staff to promote patient safety and quality care by ensuring each patient is treated as if it was their own cherished pet.Patients should be handled with care with the goal to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress during their visit.
Encourage a positive work environment by being cool headed/even-keeled during any situation and maintain a positive attitude. Foster a welcoming environment by addressing people in a warm and cordial manner. Seek out information in regards to patient care versus having information relayed to you. Ensure hospital cleanliness is kept up. The overall aesthetics of the area is a direct reflection on the high quality care we provide so it is important the areas are kept in pristine condition while creating a safe and accident free environment.
Examples of this include but not limited to the following:
• Assist in providing clinical support to the faculty in the delivery and instruction of primary care services for small animals.
• Demonstrate caring behavior with all patients
• Proper restraint of patients without injury to patient, self, or others.
• Able to observe and recognize changes in patient status.
• Properly perform medical treatments on hospitalized patients, assist with clinical procedures and direct patient care.
• Ability to perform proficiently the nursing skills for this level
• Able to perform venipuncture and place IV catheters
• Ability to perform proficiently the following skills: TPR, CRT, bladder expression, complete physical exam, administer medications,
• Accurately perform drug calculations, including Continuous rate infusions, and fluid calculations
• Receive and recover post-anesthetic patients being admitted to the PCW
• Proficiently collect and record patient vitals via TPRs during the recovery period
• Provide supportive care throughout the recovery period
• Communicate clear and concise recovering patient rounds to technicians, students, and clinicians
• Assist ICU with caseload and basic room maintenance when possible.
• Visually inspect all patients before discharges
• Gather all personal belongings for discharge
Billing/medical records
This position is integral to ensure that patient records are complete and proper communication has occurred with the entire Patient Care team. In order to provide the best patient Care, documentation of patient’s treatment sheets should be accurate and thoroughly depict changes in status or patient events. Part of the medical record includes that all changes are entered in a timely fashion and accurately reflect what happened to the patient.
Communication needs to be clear and concise. This is especially important when doing patient hand offs or calling clinicians to give patient updates. Our expectation is that staff will be thorough when relaying information. They are the patient’s advocate and in so must communicate any concerns that have not been addressed to their superior on the shift.
Examples of this include but not limited to the following :
• Complete medical documentation to include treatment sheets, observation sheets, communication sheets, clinicians’orders, and the medical record
• Ensure that all charges (including but not limited to radiology, pharmacy, PCW, floor services, etc.) are recorded in an accurate and timely manner in the Hospital Information System
• Make sure that all paper work is complete (i.e. discharge instructions, op reports, scripts, etc.)
• Phone Calls
o All calls (internal and external) need to be handled in a professional and welcoming manner
o Ability to triage calls to determine urgency and send to appropriate person.
o Document calls in a clear and concise manner within medical record
o Follow up on lab reports and ensure services are informed of results in a timely fashion
Mentoring/Teaching
Create a safe and welcoming learning environment that promotes further education and development of staff and students by fostering positivity, respect and trust. Communicate in a warm and friendly manner to all parties of the patient care team and ask frequently; “how can I help?” Promote teamwork within the service and with lateral services to meet the needs of our patients and effectively support team members. Strive to build cohesive relationships among staff, students, and clients by creating a culture of dialogue and inviting thoughts and ideas to discuss. Assist students and other technicians in learning various anesthetic techniques, protocols, and procedures.
Examples of this include but not limited to the following:
• Assist students in learning various techniques, protocols, and procedures
• Attend and assist in shift change case rounds
• Assist with student orientation; handout necessary assignments and familiarize the students to the PCW; familiarize students with forms and procedures
• Recognize students that may be struggling with either technical skills or concepts and try to assist and encourage them while also informing the faculty so they can assist
• Assist new technicians and assistants with understanding workflows and developing their nursing process to enable each individual discover the most effective and efficient way to accomplish patient care, student teaching and clinician support.
Hospital Cleanliness
Responsible for uncompromising levels of cleanliness throughout the area while creating a safe and accident free environment. Many cases are post-surgical so post-op infections are a concern. Also, the overall aesthetics of the area is a direct reflection on the high quality care we provide so it is important the areas are kept in pristine condition.
Examples of work include but are not limited to the following:
• Responsible for cleaning and upkeep of rooms
• Wipe down common areas on a regular basis throughout the shift
• Empty trash cans and laundry daily
• Practice appropriate infection control by managing biohazardous patient care items and lab specimens appropriately
• Maintain and keep all work and break areas cleaned and organized.
• Maintain equipment within room and report broken or malfunctioning equipment to the appropriate manager
• Check drugs and supplies for expiration date and stock supplies when needed.
• Submit work orders as needed to the appropriate hospital personnel and notify the manager of the submission
• Ensure cages and runs including drains, grates, and doors are cleaned every day and as needed.
• Sweep and mop floors
• Disinfect and clean equipment
• Take out recyclables
• Assist with processing laundry, as needed

Expected Salary:

Non-credentialed Technician: $18.00 - $22.00 hourly Credentialed Technician: $20.00 - $25.00 hourly

Minimum Requirements:

Veterinary Technician I: High school diploma or equivalent and one year of relevant experience
Veterinary Technician II: Credentialed veterinary technician

Preferred Qualifications:

Credentialed Veterinary Technician (CVT/LVT/RVT)

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume. 

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

This is a CARE position offering limited benefits, including health insurance and paid time off.  When appropriate certifications are achieved, promotional opportunities to a level II title may be available. This position will also become eligible for transition into a TEAMS (staff) salary plan.

This position is eligible for veteran’s preference. If you are claiming veteran’s preference, please upload a copy of your DD 214 Member Copy 4 with your application for consideration. See our Veteran's Preference Page for more specific information.

This requisition has been reposted. Previous applicants are still under consideration and need not reapply. 

Health Assessment Required: Yes; Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs, bend, kneel, pull, push, twist and stand for an extended period of time.