The Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) is seeking a Registered Veterinary Technician for a full-time maternity leave term position. This role will work primarily within the Small Animal Surgery in the OR and requires 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: 

• Comprehensive Health and Dental
• RRSP Contribution
• Tuition Waivers
• Health and Wellness on Campus is available to staff

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position will have primary responsibilities in the Small Animal Operating Rooms and secondary responsibilities with the Small Animal Surgery service and within other areas of the VTH.

Small Animal Operating Room and Surgery Services duties:

• Assists as required in the operating room (O.R.) 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
• Works with SA Surgery teams to identify appropriate O.R. for specific procedures and communicates and coordinates O.R. set-up with anesthesia team members
• Works with staff, students and clinicians to ensure proper sterile techniques are used and adhered to in accordance with VTH policies
• Maintains appropriate inventory levels in all O.R.s and complete routine and annual inventory counts, in accordance with VTH policies
• Works with surgery and anesthesia teams to identify potential contaminated cases and set-up the ORs accordingly, and coordinate decontamination with Facilities Management and the Infection Prevention and Control representative
• Works closely with the Materials Management Unit to ensure proper supply, decontamination and sterilization of instrumentation in order to be prepared for scheduled and emergency surgical procedures
• Completes all accurate invoicing of surgical procedures for the Small Animal Surgery service
• Works with the hospital’s biomedical engineer and materials management unit staff to maintain O.R. equipment and instrumentation and coordinate necessary repairs
• Undertakes technical duties and responsibilities as part of the small animal surgery team, including admitting patients for surgery, pre- and post-operative care of all surgery patients, submitting request forms, prescriptions and samples
• Preparing, reviewing and updating daily surgery patient flow sheets, medical records and billing to ensure accuracy

VTH Technician duties:

• Monitoring, assisting with and completing treatments and procedures for patients
• Perform necessary nursing skills for the various levels of care required (including triage of emergency presentations, animal handling, restraint, and basic husbandry) and assisting with diagnostic procedures including administering sedation and monitoring of sedated patients
• 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
• Support clinicians and VTH interns/residents with client communication (including discussing estimates, consent forms, and client education/care)
• Support client services staff in ensuring an excellent client experience including answering client inquiries, taking payments, and client communication
• Stocking and maintaining supplies, including reconciliation of Cubex inventory cabinets, in various hospital locations
• Assist in the maintenance of complete and accurate patient medical records and billing and working with clinicians and client services staff to ensure that patient 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

General duties:

• Must be willing to participate as assigned in an on-call schedule as required for hospital operations and may 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
• Three (3) years of work experience with small animal patients is preferred
• Demonstrated experience working in a small animal surgery clinical setting is required (preferably in a specialty referral hospital)
• One (1) year of clinical experience working with anesthetized patients is preferred (preferably in a specialty referral hospital)
• 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
• 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 an asset
• Demonstrated experience in inputting, maintaining and reviewing patient billing
• 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