What are the responsibilities and job description for the Veterinary ER/ICU Technician | Overnight & Weekend position at ECoVets?
Emergency & Critical Care Technician
At our advanced emergency and specialty veterinary hospital, we are committed to delivering exceptional medicine with equally elevated client experience. At ECoVets, we expect technicians to bring professionalism, empathy, and skill to every interaction. Technicians must thrive in a sophisticated, fast-paced clinical environment and understand the importance of medical excellence and client-centered service.
Position Overview
As ECC Veterinary Technician, you play a critical role in triaging, stabilizing, and nursing critically ill or injured animals in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment. You are responsible for providing life-saving care (CPR, emergency diagnostics), stabilizing and monitoring unstable patients, and supporting clients during high-stress situations under veterinarian supervision.
Skills & Responsibilities
- Communicate with doctor(s) on duty regarding patient needs and client concerns
- Triage, stabilize, and perform CPR on patients in emergency situations
- Accurately assess vitals including heart rate and pulse quality, respiratory rate and effort, temperature, blood pressure, oxygen levels, mucous membrane color and attitude and notify doctor(s) on duty with abnormal vitals
- Restrain patients in a safe, effective, and compassionate manner
- Phlebotomy, catheter placement (IV, arterial, urinary)
- Perform routine in house blood work including blood gas, Procyte, Catalyst, blood type/cross match, blood smear, PCV/TS, lactometer, glucometer, PT/PTT, VCM, etc.
- Appropriately prepare, handle, and submit specimens to outside laboratories
- Use proper settings and techniques to obtain diagnostic quality radiographs
- Assist with ultrasound or advanced imaging procedures
- Properly administer medical treatment including PO, IM, IV, and SQ medications
- Calculate and administer medications, injections, blood products, and Constant Rate Infusions (CRIs)
- Administer blood and plasma transfusions, monitor reactions and perform shock treatment
- Perform patient procedures including cystocentesis, central line placement, and nasogastric feeding tube placement
- Monitor anesthesia for emergency surgeries and anesthetic procedures (wound repairs, drain placements, urinary catheter placements, etc.)
- Monitor and recognize trends in ECC, BP, CO2, SpO2 and notify doctor(s) on duty with abnormal vitals
- Assist with hemoperfusion and dialysis procedures
- Maintain patients on mechanical ventilator and hi-flow oxygen
- Perform wound care including applying and managing bandages
- Manage feeding tubes, chest drains, and complex catheters
- Appropriately handle infectious patients requiring isolation
- Assist with inventory management
- Willingness to stay late and/or work through breaks to assist with critical patients
Equipment and Facility Maintenance
- Maintain cleanliness and readiness of ECC area and equipment
- Troubleshoot and use ECC equipment such as syringe pumps, IV pumps, and monitors
- Setup, use, troubleshooting, and interpret patient monitoring equipment (includes ECG, ETCO2, SpO2, oscillometric blood pressure, doppler equipment, oxygen chambers, Hi-Flow oxygen, and ventilators)
- Maintain cleanliness of facilities and ensure smooth workflow (includes cleaning cages, sterilizing equipment, stocking treatment areas, and cleaning examination tables and rooms)
Communication and Documentation
- Communicate effectively with veterinarians, technicians, and clients regarding patient status
- Maintain detailed medical records by documenting all treatments, medications, and observations accurately
- Perform patient discharges including finalizing documentation, entering charges, and explaining instructions (at-home care, post-operative care, etc) and medications to owners
- Answer phone calls and Weave messages related to patient concerns and document communications in ezyVet
- Participate in shift handovers and interdepartmental transfers to ensure continuity of patient care
- Enter all client communication in ezyVet
- Assist with after-hours emergencies including check-in, obtaining history, entering charges, processing payments and medical record management in a timely manner
Physical Stamina
- Ability to withstand prolonged periods of standing, bending, and kneeling
- Manual dexterity for handling animals and delicate procedures
- Exposure to infectious diseases and potentially aggressive animals
- Requires lifting of patients of varying weights
- 24/7 hospital setting (nights, weekends, holidays required)
Expectations
- Respect and value every client, patient and team member
- Exhibit exceptional interpersonal and client service skills
- Demonstrate emotional intelligence, initiative and teamwork
- Adhere to your work schedule – arrive on time and avoid unscheduled absences
- Multitask and prioritize in a high-demand environment
- Be adaptable, dependable, and committed to continuous learning
- Assist with training new team members and modeling expectations
- Maintain highest levels of organization and attention to detail
- Adhere to company policies and standards outlined in the Employee Handbook
- Assist in building a brand and reputation within the local community and industry
- Practice self-care and assist your colleagues in doing the same
Qualifications
- Knowledge of animal anatomy, behavior, and medical terminology
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent
- 1-3 years prior veterinary professional experience
- Ability to work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment
- Credentialed veterinary technician (CVT/LVT/RVT) – preferred
- Experience working in a 24/7 hospital setting (nights, weekends, holidays required)