Surgery Patient Care Assistant

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center • New York, NY

3d • $24 - $30 • Onsite

About The Position

The Surgery Patient Care Assistant (PCA) provides advanced veterinary assistance to doctors and Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) in the Surgery Department. The position supports surgical preparation and case flow through patient-facing and technical support duties, helping procedures proceed efficiently and safely. PCAs work with patients through examinations, treatments, procedures, and discharge, alongside specialists and experienced LVTs at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, a nonprofit veterinary teaching hospital in Manhattan, New York City.

The role includes assisting with patient preparation, positioning, monitoring, treatment, and transfer to and from surgical suites. It also involves supporting a range of surgical procedures, maintaining equipment and inventory, assisting with basic diagnostics and laboratory preparation, and communicating with care teams, clients, and referring veterinarians. The hospital operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round, and the schedule is to be determined. Shift flexibility is required.

Requirements

• Proficiency in patient handling and restraint; animal-handling experience and ability to restrain all species are required.
• Proficiency with surgical positioning and familiarity with aseptic technique.
• Ability to collaborate in a fast-paced, demanding environment, manage competing tasks and deadlines, and pay close attention to detail.
• Knowledge of surgical and operating-room equipment operation and care, including Stryker, Arthrex, Storz, portable X-ray units, suction, and cautery.
• Ability to provide quality patient care, technical services, and client communication.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, showing initiative in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in patient monitoring, supportive therapy, treatments, and procedures.
• Comfort with basic patient assessment and vital-sign collection.
• Understanding of basic laboratory procedures and diagnostic terminology.
• Strong communication and time-management skills, with the ability to multitask in a high-paced environment.
• Ability to remain composed in stressful and emergency situations.
• Good organizational, multitasking, and communication skills.
• Willingness to enhance and develop skills and knowledge.
• Flexibility to accommodate shift work in a hospital open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and to stand, walk, lift, and bend for extended periods.
• Comfort working in a surgical or sterile environment for prolonged shifts.

Nice To Haves

• One or more years of experience in a specialty or surgical veterinary setting is preferred.
• Experience with positioning and image acquisition for radiographs and fluoroscopy is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Take notes in examination rooms with veterinarians and clients.
• Master AMC Veterinary Assistant skills Levels I–IV.
• Cross-reference medical record systems and follow treatment plans.
• Handle and restrain painful, debilitated, and compensated patients of all species.
• Perform treatments within the scope of a New York State non-licensed technician.
• Assist with patient monitoring, supportive therapies, treatments, and procedures related to the department.
• Monitor patient vital signs using multiparameter monitoring equipment and recognize and respond appropriately to changes in patient status.
• Attend doctor and LVT rounds to understand patients’ disease processes.
• Safely handle and restrain small-animal patients in a surgical setting.
• Assist with surgical supportive therapy, including clipping and scrubbing, positioning, and transferring patients to and from surgical suites.
• Help set up orthopedic, soft-tissue, and minimally invasive procedures, including laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, upper-airway scoping/endoscopy, cystoscopy, and arthroscopy.
• Operate, troubleshoot, clean, and maintain surgical equipment, including minimally invasive equipment, suction units, and cautery units.
• Support diagnostic imaging by positioning patients and acquiring radiographs and fluoroscopy images, as needed.
• Take basic patient vitals, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and weight, and perform preoperative assessments as directed.
• Collect and prepare samples for basic laboratory testing, such as fecal testing, urinalysis, and cytology preparation.
• Gather and enter patient history and surgical request information, including follow-ups for research or educational cases as directed by doctors.
• Maintain surgical inventory by restocking and tracking expired or missing items.
• Clean and turn over surgical suites and patient preparation areas.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with team members, clients, and referring veterinarians as needed.
• Complete paperwork neatly and correctly and follow detailed protocols.

Benefits

• $1,000 sign-on bonus.
• Generous paid time off.
• Tuition assistance.
• 50% discount on veterinary care.
• 403(b) matching.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program through the nonprofit employer.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed