Specialty Care Veterinary Technician, Emergency Triage - AZ - College of Veterinary Medicine

Midwestern University•Glendale, AZ

23d•Onsite

About The Position

The Specialty Care Veterinary Technician, Emergency Triage serves as the first clinical touchpoint for emergent patients, performing rapid assessment, prioritization, and stabilization within the Emergency & Critical Care (ECC) Service. Responsibilities include triage categorization, immediate nursing interventions, advanced monitoring, emergency sample collection, and team coordination to facilitate timely diagnostics and treatments. The technician communicates effectively with clinicians, students, and clients (including by phone); maintains meticulous medical records and support the service’s teaching mission through bedside instruction and mentorship. The ideal candidate demonstrates calm, decisive action under pressure, strong technical skills, excellent communication, and a commitment to customer service and patient-centered, team-based care. Technicians are placed into a Level I, II, or III role based on demonstrated competency, experience, leadership, and teaching proficiency. Advancement reflects increased autonomy, technical mastery, case flow coordination, and contribution to student education and ECC hospital operations.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
1-2 years of clinical experience in general practice or a small animal emergency/specialty setting (for Level I)
Minimum 2-4 years of progressive clinical experience (for Level II)
Demonstrates competency in a specific specialty area (for Level II)
5+ years of progressive clinical experience in a specific specialty (for Level III)
Demonstrated advanced emergency services experience (for Level III)
Proficiency in emergency and triage protocols
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with clients, students, and colleagues during high-stress situations.
Dedication to team-based care, client service, and patient well-being
Strong verbal communication, empathy, de-escalation, and real-time, time-stamped documentation in PIMS while on the a call.
Willing to work flexible hours, including evenings or weekends as needed.
Ability to adapt in a dynamic teaching environment.
Commitment to continuing education and professional development
Ability to remain calm and focused during emergency situations.
Understand the scope of general practice veterinary services and common small animal conditions.
Be reasonably familiar with breeds and coat colors.
Follow OSHA standards.
Be able to find Material Safety Data Sheets quickly.
Know and use standard medical and business abbreviations.
Use proper medical terminology and spelling when speaking and writing.
Be familiar with infectious diseases, including their prevention and steps to reduce or eliminate transmission.
Know the most common zoonotic diseases (infections from animals to humans).
Ability to learn veterinary practice information management software
Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Must be able to stand for long periods and lift animals or equipment up to 40 pounds without assistance.
Assist in lifting or moving heavier animals with team support.
No inhibiting allergies to animals, hay, or dust.

Nice To Haves

CVT preferred (for Level I)
CVT preferred (for Level II)
CVT strongly preferred (for Level III)

Responsibilities

Perform primary survey (airway, breathing, circulation, disability) and secondary survey to assign acuity (immediate, urgent, non-urgent).
Identify life-threatening problems and initiate standing triage protocols (STAT calls)
Coordinate patient flow from lobby to emergency treatment/ICU and notify clinicians of high-acuity arrives by activating code/rapid (STAT) response as needed.
Coordinate with referring veterinarians when appropriate
Provide clear, empathetic updates to clients on triage process and next steps under clinician directions
Receive, triage, and route incoming client calls by distinguishing emergencies from urgent/non-urgent concerns using service triage guidelines
Document phone interactions in the medical record and verify understanding of arrival instructions, medications, and precaution criteria
Escalate red flags immediately to clinician on-duty and activate rapid intake for critical arrivals by utilizing de-escalation techniques in high-stress conversations.
Adhere to hospital infection control and OSHA standards
Conducts initial vital sign acquisition
Monitors stable to moderately stable patients with direct oversight
Accurately documents triage findings
Handles routine inbound and scheduling-related client calls; provides scripted status updates with oversight
Documents accurately in PIMS
Independently triages routine and urgent cases.
Recognizes decompensation and initiates stabilization protocols
Independently triages urgent client calls, obtains focused phone histories, alerts emergency team, and provides clear instructions to the owner
Contributes to workflow improvements
Able to triage multi-patient arrivals and mass-casualty scenarios; coordinates code responses and resource allocation
Trains and mentors incoming House Officers on triage processes
Serve as liaison between clinicians, technicians, leadership, and specialty services to optimize patient flow and outcomes.
Assist in training and mentoring veterinary students and junior staff.

Benefits

medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
life insurance
short/long term disability
pet insurance
flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account
competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days
403(b) retirement plan
tuition reimbursement
child care subsidy reimbursement program
identity theft protection
employee assistance program
wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility