Veterinary Technician - Oncology Lead

Description

Position at Pet Specialists of Austin

Veterinary Technician – Oncology Lead

Full-time: Monday-Thursday 7am-5pm

Austin, TX

Pet Specialists of Austin is looking for a Lead Oncology Veterinary Technician to join our team as part of the Thrive Pet Healthcare community.

At PSA, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, you will have the support, tools, and resources to elevate your skills. As a hospital deeply rooted in the local community, you will experience the best of both worlds: a genuine local feel with the benefits of Thrive's national resources.

About You

The Lead Oncology Veterinary Technician is not only responsible for providing veterinary nursing duties in the hospital but also provides direction to fellow veterinary technicians and assistants. The Lead technician should be knowledgeable in a wide variety of areas and is able to train staff in these areas including client service, communication, clinical pathology, radiology, animal nursing care, anesthesia, chemotherapy handling/administration, among others. The lead technician is expected to uphold the hospital’s core values while maintaining professional composure. The lead technician’s time should be managed between on the floor and administrative time at a ratio of 80:20

Our Ideal Candidate:

• Credentials (RVT, CVT, LVT) preferred
• Prior supervisory/management experience preferred.
• 3-5 years previous experience as a veterinary technician
• Prior customer service experience required.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in and delegate staff to prepare patient records, admit, and
  discharge patients as assigned.
• Handle telephone calls and schedule appointments as needed.
• Promote a positive work environment and show commitment to
  the Hospital mission, vision, and core values.
• Train staff members looking to improve their knowledge
  and skills.
• Properly utilize required logs such as controlled drugs, radiology, surgery etc.
• Ensure working area is always stocked with supplies.
• Maintain cleanliness in the hospital environment.

Nursing/Patient Care:

• Assess patient status, take patient history, perform tech exam,
  and assist veterinarian in exam room.
• Monitor changes in patient condition and report them to the veterinarian on duty.
• Perform emergency patient care as needed.
• Calculate medication doses and administer via all routes - to include CRI medications.
• Perform cystocentesis as directed.
• Place urinary catheters as required.
• Perform pristine venipuncture for phlebotomy and IV catheterization.
• Administer IV/SQ fluids as needed.
• Chart in the patient’s medical record appropriately using correct medical terminology, symbols, abbreviations, and spelling.
• Apply a variety of bandages.

Laboratory Procedures:

• Operate all laboratory equipment in the veterinary practice including
  microscopes, hematology, and chemistry analyzers, among others.
• Perform microscopy for blood, cytology, and urine analysis, among others
  as needed.
• Perform all in-house testing such as PCV/TP, Heartworm, Flea/Tick, FeLV/FIV
  and snap tests, etc.

Radiology Duties:

• Observe all required safety protocols for capturing radiologic images.
• Be able to properly obtain all required diagnostic radiographs, including basic
  contrast studies.
• Be able to properly utilize ultrasound machine for guidance with sample
  collection.
• Be able to properly obtain diagnostic CT images including use of contrast as
  directed.

Anesthesia/Surgical Duties:

• Perform pre-operative physical examination.
• Assist with creation of anesthetic plan and calculate and administer all induction medications.
• Operate a variety of anesthetic machines and circuits including rebreather and non-rebreather systems.
• Be proficient in intubating all species seen in the practice.
• Properly induce, maintain, and recover a patient from anesthesia.
• Properly operate and interpret anesthetic monitors including ECG, BP, SPo2, ETCO2, Temperature, etc.
• Maintain the anesthetic machine including pre-op setup, checking, and changing of CO2 granules and oxygen tank maintenance.
• Understand pharmacology of and use of anesthetic and analgesic medications.
• Be able to respond in an anesthetic emergency and assist the veterinarian.
• Perform proper surgical instrument cleaning and maintenance.
• Prepare and sterilize surgical packs.

Administrative/Leadership:

• Direct technicians and assistants’ daily workflows by assigning cases, procedures and monitoring work is performed efficiently.
• Handle issues arising out of inefficiency such as late procedures, missed charges, or inappropriate staffing.
• Oversee the technician and assistant schedule and assign work schedules, approve vacation time and overtime as needed.
• Ensure staff maintain proper attitude, knowledge, skills, and abilities always.
• Model professional behavior by wearing appropriate dress, being on time for shifts, addressing gossip, and providing support to upper management.
• Delegate tasks appropriately and aid staff or assume primary nursing duties as required.
• Constantly seek opportunities for staff advancement in knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Work with management when coaching of staff members need to be escalated.

Oncology Specific Responsibilities:

• Knowledge of chemotherapy medications, side effects, protocols, and administration techniques
• Perform chemotherapy treatments.
• Drug calculation
• Safe drug preparation (mixing/dispensing)
• Administration of chemotherapy to patients utilizing safe handling techniques for biohazardous compounds.
• Oral, intravenous, subcutaneous, or other methods
• Provide handling and disposal of stocked items, as well as cleaning of the treatment area.
• Excellent client communication - discuss and explain discharge instructions,
  chemotherapy handling, risks, and side effects.

Physical and General Requirements:

• Dependable attendance is required.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds with our without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be willing to work regular shifts under high pressure conditions while maintaining composure.
• This position requires the ability to walk, bend, stand, and reach constantly during a minimum 8-hour day.
• Proficient in maintaining and interpreting records accurately and following written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively to understand and convey information in person and over the telephone.
• Ability to operate office equipment and hosptial equipment such as laboratory equipment, radiology equipment, etc.

About the Hospital

Pet Specialists of Austin is a 24 hour emergency and specialty referral hospital that invests heavily in our teams' growth and development. Opened in 2021, we pride ourselves on providing the Austin area with compassionate and quality emergency, and specialty care including oncology, neurology, surgery, and internal medicine. We provide an emotionally intelligent work environment and strive to maintain a positive work/life balance.

Benefits – our care in action

Thrive offers a suite of benefits to support team members’ emotional, physical, professional, and financial wellbeing. In addition to our health and life insurance, and short- and long- term disability plans, we offer eligible team members:

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with employer match
• Mental health resources, including 24/7 access to Lyra Health
• Paid parental leave
• Purr-ental leave for when you adopt a pet
• Employer-sponsored childcare and elder care
• Personalized care for every family-forming journey
• Discretionary funds and FREE CE courses
• Pet perks and veterinary service discounts
• Student loan management tools and assistance

Provide your best care with more bridges and less barriers.

We listen to your needs and then meet them. Through training and free CE experiences, your career development can flourish. And in our locally rooted, nationally connected community, you’ll be able to make connections, access opportunities and find support with ease.

Support for you is as vital as the support you provide.

You’ll Thrive With Us

At Thrive, you have the opportunity to develop your career in a way that best suits your goals. Take advantage of our comprehensive learning and skill-building programs to enhance your expertise. You can build your skills and earn credentials through:

• Our vast, diverse, and free library of continuing education courses - ThriveU
• Live, virtual interactive workshops to develop valuable leadership skills
• A program to designed to teach you the fundamentals of running a pet hospital
• Scholarship opportunities and tuition reimbursement
• Move into any specialty, hospital type, or environment – across the nation.
• Leadership training for a thriving and long career in the veterinary profession.

About Thrive

Vet-founded and Austin-born, Thrive Pet Healthcare has expanded to over 380 partner hospitals nationwide, united by a mission to shape the future of pet well-being through medical excellence, innovative technology, and a connected community of teams and partners.

We bridge general practice, urgent care, specialty, and emergency care, and our locally rooted, nationally connected hospitals benefit from Thrive's extensive resources while maintaining their unique identities.

We believe that supporting our people is the key to helping pets thrive through every stage of life.

Join us where #WeThriveTogether. We provide customizable professional development opportunities, a supportive work environment that values work-life rhythms, and 24/7 mental health support.

At Thrive Pet Healthcare, we are committed to creating a culture where everyone from any background can be heard, respected, and valued. We pledge to build an inclusive environment nurtured by respectful curiosity to support, encourage, and celebrate the diverse voices of our teams and the communities we serve.