What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tri-County Veterinary Clinic - Veterinary Technician - Surgery position at Tri-County Veterinary Clinic?
Tri-County Veterinary Clinic, located less than 30 minutes from downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, is a large general practice serving companion animals and some exotics since being founded in 2006. The beautiful TCVC facility boasts quality equipment and a high surgical volume. Our upbeat, motivated staff are incredibly passionate about giving back to the community and serving our large base of loyal clients.
Surgical Veterinary Technician
Location: Sevierville, Tennessee Employment Type: Full-time (with occasional weekends/on-call shifts)
About Us At Tri County Veterinary Clinic, we are a dedicated small animal practice focused on delivering excellent surgical care. Our experienced and compassionate team offers a wide range of surgical procedures for a variety of species. United by a shared commitment to excellence, we work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for every patient and client we serve.
Position Summary
The Surgical Veterinary Technician works closely with veterinarians and surgical teams to ensure safe, effective, and compassionate perioperative care. Key responsibilities include patient prep, anesthetic monitoring, surgical assistance, client communications, and post-op recovery.
Key Responsibilities
Pre-Surgical Prep & Anesthesia Monitoring
- Perform patient assessment: TPR, venipuncture, IV catheter placement, pre-anesthetic testing, and induction
- Prepare surgical field: clipping, scrubbing, positioning, warming devices, equipment setup; Administer and monitor anesthesia, vitals, SP02, TPR, ECG, blood pressure—adjust as needed with patient conditions.
Post-Op Recovery & Patient Care
- Monitor recovery: pain management, fluid support, warming, temp/vitals check
- Educate pet owners on home care: medications, feeding, activity restrictions
Instrument & Area Sterilization
- Clean, sterilize, wrap, pack instruments; maintain autoclave operation
- Disinfect surgery suite, prep/recovery areas, and manage biohazard disposal
Records, Controlled Substances & Client Interaction
- Maintain accurate surgical logs, medical records, drug logs per DEA/state regulations
- Communicate effectively with veterinarians, staff, and clients pre-, intra-, and post-operatively
Qualifications
- Graduate of an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technician program; Associate's (preferred)
- Licensed Veterinary Technician in Tennessee LVMT (preferred)
- Preferred 1–3 years of surgical/anesthesia experience; spay/neuter or specialty surgery background a plus
- Proficient in anesthesia, monitoring, aseptic technique, instrumentation
- Physical ability to lift ~40–50 lbs, stand for long periods, work weekends/on-call
- CPR/basic life-support; dedicated to continuing education
Why Join Us?
- Competitive pay (commensurate with experience)
- Comprehensive benefits: health, dental, vision, 401K, CE support, PTO
- Supportive work environment with opportunities for growth and specialization
- Access to modern equipment and training