MTS Level 6 - Registered Veterinary Technician - Dermatology and Community Practice - Veterinary Teaching Hospital - Atlantic Veterinary College - #227085

The Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) is seeking a Registered Veterinary Technician for a full-time permanent position. This role will work primarily with the Dermatology service and Community Practice services. It will require flexibility and initiative to float to other areas of the teaching hospital as needed to perform additional veterinary technician duties in support of patient care and hospital operations.

Located on the UPEI campus in Charlottetown, the AVC Veterinary Teaching Hospital is a cutting-edge tertiary referral centre serving Atlantic Canada. For any applicants that are relocating, this role offers the opportunity to enjoy life on beautiful Prince Edward Island, with its scenic walking trails, expansive beaches, and unique experiences at every turn.

What we offer:

• Post Retirement Benefits
• Tuition Waivers
• Health and Wellness on Campus available to staff and their families
• Professional Development Opportunities
• EVTA Membership Paid
• Staff Discounts on Veterinary Services and Pet Food

We have a supportive teaching environment across our Small and Large Animal Hospitals, offering state of the art technology with advanced imaging modalities including CT and MRI, and boasting over 20 specialist veterinarians alongside talented primary care veterinarians with a highly-skilled team of veterinary technicians and support staff.

Take a step forward in your career and join our team as an RVT working in the Dermatology and Community Practice services, where you will be encouraged to fully utilize your skills and have the flexibility to enjoy other opportunities in the teaching hospital.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position will have primary responsibilities across both the Dermatology service, which is on-clinics 50% of the time, and the primary care Community Practice service, for the other 50% of the time.

Dermatology/Community Practice Technician Duties:

• Assist with scheduling and managing appointments, inpatient and outpatient cases, and overseeing maintenance of the dermatology and community practice clinical areas
• Routine client and referring DVM communication regarding enquiries, medication protocols, call backs, follow up (in person, via email and on the phone) and other topics as required
• Support clinicians, DVM students, and Client Services staff in ensuring an excellent client experience including discussing estimates, consent forms, follow-up communication, and client education/care
• Completing medication and treatment orders for any Dermatology & Community Practice patients
• Assist in the maintenance of complete and accurate patient medical records and invoicing and working with clinicians and client services staff to ensure that client bills are completed and paid prior to patient discharge
• Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and biosecurity standards and other related technician duties as assigned

Dermatology Technician duties:

Under the direction of the Dermatologist, duties include:

• Perform necessary nursing skills for the various levels of care required and assisting with diagnostic procedures, such as intradermal testing, skin biopsies, and other dermatological procedures, including administering sedation and monitoring of sedated patients
• Perform necessary technical skills for routine procedures such as IV catheter placement, obtaining blood samples, obtaining culture samples, obtaining cytology samples
• Provide orientation for new students on the Dermatology rotation (discussing student responsibilities on the rotation, reviewing procedures)
• Administering sedation and monitoring sedated patients who are scheduled for diagnostic procedures
• Assessing cytology and skin scraping findings under the microscope
• Discussing food trials with clients and communicating effectively with dermatology clients who may experience frustration during the challenging case management of their pet’s dermatological condition
• Demonstrating to clients how to perform routine dermatological at-home care for their pet, including ear cleaning, administering subcutaneous injections, bathing, and other client education activities
• Organizing and making estimates and consent forms for owners
• Set up of equipment for otic procedures including video-otoscope
• Perform/supervise terminal cleaning of the Dermatology exam room and lab area after each rotation
• Restraint of patients during dermatologic exams
• Laboratory follow up and relaying results to owners if requested

Community Practice Technician duties:

Under the direction of the Community Practice Clinicians, duties include:

• Performing technician examinations, including but not limited to: diagnostic sample collection, vaccine boosters, weight loss programs, medication administration, grooming, etc.
• Monitoring, assisting with and completing treatments and procedures for patients, including administering and monitoring sedation of patients
• Perform necessary in-patient and out-patient nursing skills for the various levels of care required (including triage of urgent presentations, animal handling, restraint, and basic husbandry) and assisting with diagnostic procedures
• Monitoring and reporting to the clinician any findings or abnormalities with the patient in relation to the treatment and/or status of their care and well-being
• Facilitate and participate in compassionate and sincere end-of-life experiences for patients and their families
• Assist as required in the operating room, including preparing surgical suites pre-operatively, ensuring the availability of equipment and instruments for procedures, clipping/prepping/positioning patients, circulating in operating rooms to facilitate efficient intra-operative assistance and completing operating room records
• Assist as required in anesthesia recovery, including post anesthesia monitoring, administration of medications, and record keeping
• Assist as required in the dental suite, including preparing and positioning patient, performing dental radiographs, dental charting and cleanings

General VTH Veterinary Technician duties:

• Must be willing to participate as assigned in an on-call schedule as required for hospital operations and will include some evening/weekend/holiday work
• Participate in the training of veterinary students, technician students and post-graduate program veterinarians with confidence and support
• Maintain collegial and professional interactions and communication with colleagues, students and clients at all times
• Maintain safe, respectful, professional and ethical conduct, handling and interactions with patients and during patient care as befitting a veterinary teaching hospital environment and in accordance with veterinary regulatory bodies

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a graduate of an Animal Health Technician program from a recognized facility
• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) designation is required
• Demonstrated clinical experience working with small animal patients is required
• Clinical experience working with patients in a Dermatology and/or Primary Care setting is preferred (with specialty referral hospital experience or VTS specialization in dermatology considered an asset)
• Excellent technical proficiency with experience and confidence with nursing and handling small animal patients, placing catheters, and administering IV fluids, performing sample collection, assisting with diagnostic procedures including administering sedation and monitoring sedated patients, performing patient assessments and administering required treatments
• Demonstrated experience with basic microscopy and cytology
• Must possess strong work ethic and accountability with demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills with colleagues and clients, with experience working in a teaching environment being an asset
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with colleagues and clients with demonstrated ability to explain basic diagnostic and treatment concepts to clients
• Demonstrated experience in inputting, maintaining, and reviewing patient invoicing
• Strong computer skills with demonstrated ability in Windows and iOS Operating Systems
• Previous experience with electronic medical records is required, with preference given to applicants with knowledge of RxWorks and Smart Flow