Veterinary Technician II - Anesthesia

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

7d•$43,788 - $52,548•Onsite

About The Position

This work unit exists to anesthetize animals for general elective procedures (dental work, cast application, etc.); diagnostic tests (physical exams, endoscopic exams, etc.); and for routine and emergency surgeries. The department also instructs veterinary students, visiting veterinarians, and technicians on the principles and practice of veterinary anesthesia by allowing students to anesthetize clinical animals, and guiding the students through preanesthetic patient evaluation, the choice of anesthetic agents, and the process of monitoring the anesthetized patient. We strive to provide exceptional patient care on a daily basis. This position has a flexible schedule with daytime hours between 7 am-5:30 pm Monday through Friday, offering either 4 (10) hour shifts or 5 (8) hour shifts, and is cross-trained in all areas of the Anesthesia service (i.e., large and small animal, research, and Continuing Education).

Requirements

Associate or bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology
2 years of experience in a primary anesthesia role (academia or specialty practice)
Registered as a Veterinary Technician (VT) or Provisional Veterinary Technician (PVT) through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) or eligibility to obtain a state of Colorado DORA license by start date.
Credentialed in the State of Colorado or other eligible state determined by CACVT.
Graduate of accredited veterinary technician program with greater than two (2) years’ experience in veterinary medicine.
Candidates can qualify without graduation from a veterinary technician program if they demonstrate 3+ years of veterinary medicine experience.
The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the date of hire; the department will not be offering visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Excellent Technical Skills
Proficient in IV catheter placement
Proficient in Endotracheal intubation
Knowledge of proper anesthetic monitoring
Knowledge of anesthetic drugs
Knowledge of proper animal restraint including fear-free technique
Ability to work well within a team environment.
Ability to maintain a positive attitude and foster a healthy working environment.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment that is always changing.
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Strong attention to detail

Responsibilities

Instruct veterinary students and technician interns in safe, effective anesthetic planning and delivery.
Guides DVM students and FRCC veterinary technician interns through the process of evaluating patient status, interpreting lab work and diagnostics, and selecting appropriate anesthetic agents for clinical patients.
Coach students through anesthesia procedures and technical skills.
Teaches and supervises the steps of IV catheterization, induction, intubation, monitoring setup, and maintenance of anesthesia, adjusting the level of assistance based on each student’s performance.
Provide real-time clinical guidance during complex or high-risk anesthetic scenarios.
Reviews the patient’s conditions, explains how anesthesia may impact each issue, and guides the student through appropriate drug and protocol selection.
Evaluate and modify student anesthetic plans to prevent unsafe practices.
Reviews student-created anesthetic plans and independently determines when changes are necessary due to medication contraindications, dosing concerns, or procedure complexity.
Develop and implement individualized anesthetic plans for small, large, and exotic species.
Evaluates patient history, diagnostics, comorbidities, and procedural needs to select appropriate premedication, induction, and maintenance protocols.
Administer and monitor general anesthesia for routine, complex, and emergency procedures.
Predicates, induces, intubates, and maintains anesthesia while continuously interpreting physiologic parameters and adjusting depth, ventilation, fluids, and analgesia to maintain patient stability.
Recognize and manage anesthetic complications in real time.
Responds immediately to issues such as hypotension, blood loss, arrhythmias, and respiratory compromise by determining whether to administer fluids, blood products, ventilation changes, or emergency drugs.
Lead initial resuscitative efforts during anesthetic emergencies.
Initiates CPR, administers emergency drugs, and coordinates team response when patients arrest under anesthesia, such as during thoracotomies or other high-risk surgeries.