Veterinary Technician Overnight

VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center is adding a RVT to our Overnight Team!

We are a 24-hour GP/Specialty/Emergency hospital looking for a Registered Veterinary Technician experienced in emergency and critical care to join our team! 

Compensation : $ 35 - $ 42 / hr

The shift differential rate for after 10 pm overnight is 25% on top of base pay, which is applied automatically.

Schedule : Overnight including weekends and Holidays

Location : 2803 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

SUMMARY:

The job of a RVT is an essential part of patient care at Encina/East Bay.  They are relied upon heavily to provide outstanding patient care in all departments including Outpatient, ICU, Surgery and Emergency.  The RVTs must work hand in hand with the Veterinarians and support staff to complete each treatment plan for the patients in our care in a timely manner. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Certification

• Must obtain passing score on VTNE
• Must obtain and maintain RVT certification within the state of California

General Requirements:

• Must comply with all company policies listed in the Employee Handbook
• Adhere to the Controlled Substance Policy and maintain accurate records
• Conduct themselves professionally at all times while on campus
• Communicate with co-workers and clients respectfully
• Complete training plans within a timely manner
• Follow all OSHA policies and know the location of SDS binders
• Maintain a clean work space, quickly picking up after yourself once your task is completed
• Stock areas in Pre-Op, X-ray, Ultrasound, and Treatment
• Maintain accurate medical records for patients including treatment sheets and notes within the Practice Management Software (PMS)
• Have a thorough working knowledge of PMS including writing medical records, notes, creating estimates and invoices, scheduling appointments, and checking clients in and out
• Assist with answering phones
• Check clients in, ensuring the proper paperwork is completed and all client/patient information is entered into the PMS correctly.
• Check clients out, collecting full balance of invoice or full deposit on estimates.
• Room and triage clients in accordance with hospital policy.
• Updating clients on patient status as directed by the Veterinarian

Diagnostics :

• Obtain samples accurately with minimum stress to the patient
• Blood samples to be obtained via cephalic, saphenous and jugular veins
• Urinary samples are to be obtained via ultrasound guided cysto using the “Junior” ultrasound
• Team members are limited to 2 attempts to “hit” a vein.  If a team member is unable to obtain a blood sample after 2 attempts they will pass the task to the next available qualified technician.
• Run all diagnostic procedures assigned to patients in the hospital’s care in a timely manner ensuring accuracy
• Process all in house lab work
• Process all lab work sent to outside labs and universities with samples in correct tubes
• Comply with radiograph safety rules including wearing your dosimeter badge and all protective equipment
• Accurately prepare blood smears to read both in house and to send to outside labs
• Send radiographs to the Board Certified Radiologist as directed and ensure it is accurately billed
• Perform assigned duties in a timely manner.  Once all tasks are completed the employee will assist others as needed.

Patient Care

• Follow all treatment plans accurately. Alert Veterinarian to any questions or concerns about treatment plan or medication dosage.
• Alert Veterinarian to any decline or change in a patient’s well being immediately
• Calculate the following accurately
  • Converting lb to kg and kg to lb
  • Fluid rate
  • CRI rates of Fentanyl, Mannitol, Dobutamine, etc.
  • Drug calculations
• Placement of IV catheter
  • Team members are limited to 2 attempts to “hit” a vein.  If a team member is unable to place an IV catheter after 2 attempts they will pass the task to the next available qualified technician.
• Accurately set up and maintain a patient on IV fluids as directed by a Veterinarian
  • Includes taping IV catheter and t-port to hospital standards and continued IV catheter maintenance
• Administer chemotherapy treatments as directed by the Veterinarian while following all chemotherapy protocols
• Set up and assist with common sedation procedures
• Prepare for emergencies
• Triage patients accurately
• Intubate patients as needed in emergency situations
• Trim nails, express anal glands, remove sutures, clean ears
• Perform Technician Appointments accurately including charging and noting all treatments and updates in the medical record
• Administer all oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous injections
• Place bandages and splints as directed by the Veterinarian
• Ensure all patients have a clean cage and bedding.
  • If not cage space is available patient must be kept in a safe area with proper bedding and room to lie down without restrictions from leash
• Restrain patients safely and calmly
  • Alert Veterinarian immediately if sedation is needed
  • Follow all hospital policies regarding fractious patients 

Recognize contagious patients and adhere to all isolation procedures

Anesthesia/Surgery

• Must have thorough knowledge of the anesthetic protocol including all anesthetic drugs and doses used by hospital and their side effects
• Work with the Veterinarian to create an anesthetic plan for each patient
• Ensure all required blood work has been completed and checked by the Veterinarian and an examination has been performed prior to administering anesthesia
• Monitor all patients under anesthesia accurately and safely. Know the normal ranges for all vital monitors and steps to take if the patient becomes unstable.
• Maintain accurate anesthesia records
• Obtain dental radiographs accurately and in a timely manner
• Perform dental cleanings as directed by the Veterinarian and maintain proper records
• Have a thorough knowledge of all surgical equipment and its functions.
• Maintain all anesthetic equipment.  Alert appropriate member of management team if equipment is damaged or missing.
• Assist in cleaning and packing of surgical packs as needed
• Assist in using and maintaining all autoclave equipment (steam and gas)
• Assist Veterinarian with endoscopic procedures
• Follow protocols to clean and maintain the endoscopic machine
• Perform CTs as directed by the Veterinarian

Leadership

• Team members are expected to lead by example
• Mentor and guide employees in training as directed by management team
• Communicate respectfully and calmly in all situations
• Provide compassionate care for all clients
• Alert members of management team to any concerns

Physical

• Ability to lift over 20lbs
• Ability to kneel, bend, squat and stand for long periods of time as needed to restrain, handle, and care for patients

VCA Animal Hospitals offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including Medical/Dental/Vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, pet care discounts, paid vacation, holidays and sick days, and health and well-being programs that provide resources and training. Compensation is negotiable based on education, experience, and other relevant credentials.

• Employees are expected to act in the best interest of the hospital, even if doing so requires actions or responsibilities not specifically listed in the job description.

• Alternative work week (four 10 hour shifts) is offered.

  VACSP is required and will be reimbursed by the hospital.

If you are a current associate, you need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.