Anesthesia Veterinary Technician

South Valley Equine • Saratoga Springs, UT

1d • $18 - $22

About The Position

The Anesthesia Veterinary Technician (Equine Anesthetist) supports veterinarians in providing safe and effective anesthesia care for horses during procedures and recovery. The role combines specialized clinical and clerical work, including patient assessment, anesthesia planning and administration, monitoring, pain management, documentation, equipment maintenance, and coordination with surgeons, anesthetists, and surgical scrub technicians. It also includes general veterinary technician duties such as patient care, medication administration, laboratory work, client communication, and barn and clinic upkeep.

The position may involve long or extra hours, day or night work, weekends, on-call duty, and schedule flexibility as needed. Attendance is an essential function. Employees are expected to maintain professional appearance and communication.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Veterinary Technician.
• Basic experience with and knowledge of horses and equine culture.
• Ability to safely hold, jog, and restrain large animals.
• Full range of motion to interact with animals and provide care; ability to lift up to 50 pounds at times and navigate all facility terrains.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including empathy and patience when working with distressed, frustrated, or disgruntled clients.
• Above-average typing skills of 50 WPM.
• Ability to work independently, take direction, multitask in a busy, fast-paced environment, and anticipate veterinarians’ needs.
• Reliability, punctuality, adaptability, and willingness to continue learning and advancing skills.
• Schedule flexibility to start early, stay late, perform on-call duty, and work weekends as needed.
• Ability to identify after-hours emergencies and communicate them to doctors and senior staff.
• Basic understanding of core vaccinations, deworming schedules, common equine diseases, and equine behavior.
• General understanding of computer applications, including internet and communications.

Nice To Haves

• Veterinary Technician Certification.
• Internet and Microsoft Office skills, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Basic understanding of laboratory tests.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients before procedures by reviewing history, conducting physical exams, assessing laboratory tests, and determining health status.
• Work with the team to prepare for surgical procedures and perform procedures according to doctors’ preferences and schedules.
• Develop an appropriate anesthesia plan for each patient and calculate sedation doses based on weight, breed, and pre-operative history.
• Administer anesthesia, including injectable anesthetics, continuous-rate infusions, and inhalant gas, and control anesthesia depth.
• Place IV catheters, intubate patients, position horses on the surgery table and for recovery, and provide appropriate analgesia.
• Set up surgical tools, rooms, and monitoring equipment; operate, clean, and maintain equipment and the anesthesia machine.
• Recognize emergencies such as respiratory or cardiac arrest and provide immediate, appropriate intervention.
• Log controlled drugs and complete anesthesia forms and other required medical and legal documentation.
• Schedule post-operative medications, assign patients to designated stall areas, and accurately bill procedures and medications.
• Coordinate anesthesia management with surgeons, other anesthetists, and surgical scrub technicians.
• Ensure tools are sterilized and returned to storage; restock medications, instruments, and equipment; place transfer requests and manage surgery department inventory.
• Assist with cleanup of surgical suites, recovery areas, and induction areas, and check oxygen tank levels.
• Assist veterinarians clinically and provide daily patient care, including preparing for procedures and treatments and administering oral, IV, and IM medications.
• Trot and jog horses during lameness examinations and assist with foaling, labor and delivery, and post-foaling care.
• Prepare discharge instructions and prescriptions according to doctors’ notes, and process prescription and supplement orders.
• Obtain, store, and dispose of laboratory samples and use in-house laboratory equipment accurately.
• Maintain written and electronic medical records, take veterinarian dictation, and enter information into the EMR.
• Maintain medications, bandage materials, and equipment in veterinarian trucks, the hospital, and exam areas.
• Prepare invoices, process payments, and relay communications among clients, doctors, staff, and management.
• Perform general barn maintenance, including stall cleaning, feeding, and watering, and keep the clinic clean and presentable.
• Communicate thoroughly during shift changes and maintain professional appearance, demeanor, and communications.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance after 60 days, with SVE covering 50% of premiums for employees and their families for full-time employees working 32 or more hours per week.
• Paid time off accrued each pay period starting on the hire date and available after 60 days; accrual builds from 40 hours per year to 120 hours per year with tenure, and unused PTO is paid out at year end.
• Seven paid holidays for full-time employees after 60 days.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• $2 per hour shift differential for night and Sunday shifts.
• Double-time pay for after-hours on-call callbacks.
• Discounted veterinary care, drugs, and supplies for employees’ own horses and animals.
• Annual clothing reimbursement for embroidered SVE-logo clothing: up to $125 for full-time employees and $62.50 for part-time employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED