Veterinary Technician – Small Animal Inpatient Medicine

Tufts University•Grafton, MA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Advance Your Career in Veterinary Medicine Looking for a place where you can grow your skills, work alongside leading specialists, and make a meaningful impact every day? At The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, veterinary technicians are valued members of the healthcare team. Our technicians provide exceptional patient care, teach future veterinary professionals, and collaborate with some of the most respected clinicians in veterinary medicine. Whether you're an experienced technician looking to build specialty skills or a recent graduate seeking mentorship and support, you'll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive in our collaborative academic hospital environment. Why You'll Love Working at Tufts Grow Your Career at Any Stage We're committed to helping veterinary technicians build rewarding, long-term careers. You'll have opportunities to: Develop advanced nursing skills through hands-on experience with complex medical and specialty cases Learn from board-certified specialists, residents, interns, and experienced veterinary nurses Explore interests across multiple specialty services Participate in continuing education and professional development opportunities Explore future pathways in leadership, education, research, and specialty nursing Specialty Training Opportunities Interested in expanding your skills beyond general practice? Our teaching hospital environment provides exposure to advanced diagnostics, specialty procedures, complex medical cases, and multidisciplinary patient care. You'll have opportunities to cross-train, learn from specialists, and develop expertise in areas that interest you most. This position qualifies for a $2,000 sign on bonus following successful completion of 6 months of employment for newly hired employees.

Requirements

Candidates must meet one of the following qualifications: Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) in good standing OR Graduate of an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology, Veterinary Nursing, or Veterinary Science program with at least one year of experience in a fast paced hospital OR 3 years of experience in a large academic, specialty or emergency hospital
Ability to work independently while performing routine clinical duties and technical procedures, with the judgment to seek guidance when managing more advanced cases.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a diverse academic and clinical environment.
Working knowledge of veterinary medical terminology and pharmacology.
Commitment to providing outstanding service to clients, colleagues, students, and clinicians.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn electronic medical record systems and other hospital software applications.
Safely restrain and handle canine and feline patients (and exotic species when applicable).
Assess patient attitude, mentation, and responsiveness.
Obtain and interpret vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and capillary refill time.
Recognize signs of pain, distress, or changes in patient condition.
Place intravenous catheters.
Perform venipuncture, including cephalic, saphenous, and jugular blood collection.
Calculate medication dosages, fluid therapy rates, and continuous rate infusions (CRIs).
Set up, administer, and monitor fluid therapy.
Monitor patients recovering from sedation and general anesthesia and identify abnormal physiologic parameters.
Demonstrate knowledge of commonly used medications, sedatives and tranquilizers.
Assist with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and demonstrate knowledge of CPR procedures.

Nice To Haves

CVT, LVT, or RVT credential
Experience in specialty, emergency, referral, or academic medicine
Fear Free or Low Stress Handling Certification
Experience with exotic animal species

Responsibilities

Provide advanced nursing care to hospitalized small animal and exotic patients in a fast-paced academic and specialty hospital environment.
Monitor patient status, implement clinician-directed treatment plans, and promptly communicate changes in condition to the healthcare team.
Perform a variety of technical and diagnostic procedures, including sample collection, point-of-care testing, and bench-top laboratory diagnostics.
Collaborate with clinicians, technicians, students, and support staff to ensure timely, coordinated, and compassionate patient care.
Educate clients on treatment plans, medications, and discharge instructions to support positive patient outcomes.
Assist in the clinical training of veterinary students and veterinary technician students by demonstrating and teaching patient care and technical skills.
Support the onboarding, training, and mentorship of new veterinary technicians and animal care attendants.
Foster a collaborative learning environment that encourages professional growth and development.
Maintain treatment and patient care areas to ensure a safe, organized, and efficient clinical environment.
Monitor and maintain inventory of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
Handle controlled substances in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements.
Assist with the maintenance and troubleshooting of clinical equipment.
Support clinical and academic research activities as appropriate.
Participate in hospital and service-wide initiatives that advance patient care, education, and operational excellence.
Engage in continuing education and professional development opportunities, including a minimum of six hours of RACE-approved continuing education annually.
Provide cross-service support throughout the hospital as needed to meet patient care and operational needs.