Veterinary Technician I - Dentistry

About the position

Join our team at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital! We're seeking a skilled Veterinary Technician I to join our team in the Dentistry department. In this role, you'll assist the professional staff in the treatment of animals admitted to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and help to maintain a sanitary and functionally well-organized service. Join us at the Texas A&M Small Animal Teaching Hospital and make a difference in the lives of animals and the future of veterinary medicine!

Responsibilities

• Assists in the scheduling of dental procedures, providing communication to all areas of the hospital.
• Ensures that necessary equipment is available for the day of a procedure.
• Assists the anesthesia service as needed with cases pertaining to Dentistry and Primary Care Services.
• Facilitates patient restraint for students and clinicians to ensure safe physical exams and diagnostics.
• Assists with obtaining patient medical records from clients and referring veterinarians.
• Assists clinicians, residents and students with proper sedation protocols and techniques.
• Anesthetizes patients for dentistry procedures and ensures appropriate patient monitoring with accurate record keeping.
• Ensures the dentistry equipment is clean, disinfected and well maintained at all times.
• Serves as circulating nurse for dental procedures and dental radiographs.
• Documents and/or imports all dentistry records, radiographs, photos, etc. in the hospitals electronic medical record system.
• Communicates with clients and referring veterinarians as needed.
• Documents all client and referring veterinarian conversation in electronic medical record system.
• Maintains complete, accurate medical records, ensuring all appropriate fees are captured in the electronic medical record system.
• Assists in maintaining stock of dentistry specific equipment and medical supplies.
• Facilitates purchase order requests for dentistry specific supplies.
• Assists clinicians with creation of discharge paperwork.
• Monitors patients to detect any change in their clinical status and keep patients clean.
• Performs or assists with the collection and submission of patients’ blood, urine, and tissues.
• Administers patient treatment following a clinician’s orders without direct supervision.
• Places and maintains IV catheters.
• Assists in all primary care services as needed, providing technical support due to staff outages or caseload.
• Provides assistance to other services as caseload permits.
• Instructs, guides, and supervises students in proper clinical techniques to support patient care.
• Assists and instructs in the performance of diagnostic procedures and examinations.
• Maintains a sanitary and well-organized service within the Veterinary Medical teaching hospital.
• Restocks supplies and medical inventory as needed.
• Cleans and repackages items for sterilization specific to the service.
• Maintains equipment within the service area.
• Remains current with safety classes, rabies prophylaxis, Radiation safety training, Infection Control, Aseptic Technique and maintains certification or licensure where appropriate.
• Ensures all hospital fees are correctly captured and entered into the hospital electronic medical records system.
• Enters worked time and leave entry in Workday in a timely manner.
• Answers email correspondence.
• Assists with school and hospital accreditations and inspections (AVMA, IACUC, AAHA, AAALAC, etc.).

Requirements

• Associates degree in veterinary technology, biomedical science, animal science or related area, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• One year of technical experience in a veterinary hospital or referral clinic environment.
• Licensed Veterinary Technician.
• Computer skills in word processing and data entry.
• Working knowledge of equipment used in a veterinary teaching hospital, such as anesthetic machines, fluid pumps, blood gas analyzers, defibrillators, and nebulizers, dental machines and dental radiographs.
• Ability to appropriately handle and restrain feline and canine patients with methods that are both fear free and/or feline friendly.
• Knowledge of medical math.
• Ability to communicate professionally, effectively, and positively with all individuals in a veterinary medical teaching hospital setting.
• Basic knowledge of canine and feline anatomy and physiology.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums.
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays.
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Free exercise programs and release time.
• All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more.
• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee.