Veterinary Assistant - Intensive Care Unit

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL•Urbana, IL

40d•$19

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, the Veterinary Assistant is responsible for providing patient care and service support in a courteous and professional manner for the Emergency Room and Intensive Care Unit at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and may be asked to support other areas of the hospital based on operational need.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Knowledge of general care and handling of companion species of animals (dogs, cats, birds, exotics).
Working knowledge of infection control protocols and hospital standards.
Working knowledge of medical and veterinary terminology.
Knowledge of operating computers and hospital information systems.
Skill in the operation of surgical, laboratory, and diagnostic equipment.
Able to adapt to new technologies, procedures, and equipment.
Demonstrated adherence to strict protocols.
Able to recognize abnormalities in vital signs of patients and report to veterinary staff.
Able to operate on the clinical floor and anticipate needs and directions of staff and students regarding patients and methods of care.
Able to observe, record, compile, and assimilate date.
Able to explain terminology used in veterinary medicine.
Able to multi-task, pay close attention to details, and work calmly and professionally under pressure.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Courteous and polite.

Responsibilities

Provide basic patient care in a professional and courteous manner under the supervision of a veterinarian or veterinary technician.
Work as a team with veterinary technicians, students, interns, residents, and faculty to provide care for patients which may include, but is not limited to, post-surgical, chronic conditions, and isolation, which may include methicillin resistant organisms and zoonotic diseases.
Provide food, water, and exercise as directed by either written hospital orders or given verbally by veterinarian or veterinary technician.
Use problem solving skills to assist with patient care in emergent and non-emergent situations.
Directly monitor patient status, under veterinary supervision, including those hospitalized and recovering from anesthesia.
Recognize and report physical abnormalities such as, but not limited to, respiratory difficulty and distress, change in mentation, abnormal physical exam findings, and signs of shock.
Recognize and report pulmonary or cardiopulmonary arrest.
Restrain patients using appropriate restraint techniques.
Facilitate patient transport between clinical areas.
Provide support to veterinary technicians using basic monitoring equipment such as indirect blood pressure (doppler and oscillometric), electrocardiogram (ECG), pulse oximetry, and continuous temperature monitoring.
Complete and review patient monitoring and treatments as directed on the patient's care plan, such as a patient care flow sheet or patient record. Report abnormal findings when something is not within the set call parameters.
Report issues and assist veterinary technicians with the set up and maintenance of indwelling urinary catheters, Jackson-Pratt grenade style drains, intravenous catheters, feeding tubes, nasal oxygen, nebulization, fluid and syringe pumps.
Assist veterinary technicians with the set up of IV fluids, continuous rate infusions (CRI's) and other medications as directed by the veterinarian.
Provide support to veterinary technicians in set-up and administration of enteral feedings through nasogastric (NG), nasoesophageal (NE), esophagostromy (E-tube), gastrostomy (G-tube), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), or jejunostomy (J-tube), as directed by the veterinarian.
Assist with set up for patient treatments and procedures under the direct or written orders of the veterinarian.
Facilities maintenance.
Maintain the cleanliness of animal and work areas, instruments and equipment based on set infection control protocols and hospital standards, as well as complete daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning assignments.
Stock and maintain clinical supplies and maintain inventory records.
Assist with documenting and troubleshooting issues with equipment.
Maintain patient logs.
Clinical service and facilities support.
Record treatments, procedures, supplies and thorough notes on the patient's medical record.
Record and enter charges.
Perform electronic submission of samples to clinical pathology and the diagnostic laboratory.
Facilitate processing of laboratory samples such as venous and arterial blood gases, packed cell volume (PCV)/total solids (TS), blood glucose (BG), lactate, ketostick, etc
Other duties as assigned