Veterinary Nurse/Veterinary Technician, Anesthesia, Small Animal Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine

The College of Veterinary Medicine invites applicants to apply for the position of Veterinary Nurse, Anesthesia, located within the Small Animal Clinical Sciences department. The primary purpose of this position is to provide quality, entry-level nursing care for patients in the Anesthesia service. This position assesses patients, develops protocols for lower ASA levels, administers anesthetics, provides continuous monitoring through recovery, and maintains anesthesia equipment, supplies, area, and charges under the supervision of other veterinary nurses and service clinicians. Provides instruction as well as hands-on clinical training experience to veterinary and veterinary technician students as pertains to knowledge and skill level. This position participates in continuing education to improve knowledge and skill level.

Depending on experience and qualifications of successful candidate, individual will be hired in as a Veterinary Nurse 1, Veterinary Nurse 2, Senior Veterinary Nurse 1, or Senior Veterinary Nurse 2.

Typical Responsibilities:

Provides entry-level patient care throughout anesthesia preparation, induction, maintenance, and post-operative care under the supervision of other veterinary nurses or service clinicians:

• Assesses and monitors patient vitals, anesthetic depth, as well as pain score for lower ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) level anesthetic procedures
• Develops and performs varied anesthetic protocols for lower ASA level anesthetic procedures and difficulties
• Administers anesthetic and analgesic drugs in a safe and effective manner for lower ASA levels and procedures
• Maintains patient safety and care until fully recovered or transferred to responsible service
• Assesses and provides proper analgesic or sedative treatment for both non-anesthesia and anesthesia patients with guidance
• Inputs client/service anesthesia charges

Instructs students on the clinical application of quality patient care and safe applications of anesthesia and analgesia pertaining to basic knowledge and skill level.

• Verifies anesthetic protocols, doses and procedures with individuals to ensure quality patient care and management
• Teaches, performs, and confirms proper administration and calculation of medical treatments including use of crystalloids, colloids, anesthetic drugs, and devices
• Other items as assigned by the supervisor to help service

Anesthetic equipment and supplies:

• Maintains knowledge of proper anesthetic equipment handling, cleaning, care and applications
• Troubleshoots equipment malfunctions and/or abnormalities
• Manages proper stocking, ordering, and handling of anesthetic supplies

On-call:

• Covers anesthesia on-call on a rotating basis with overseeing veterinary nurse and clinician pending level of skill and knowledge.
• Call rotation requires technicians to cover primary on-call as determined throughout the week then backup the remainder of the week pending anesthesia personnel and caseload.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed:

• Basic knowledge of veterinary nursing, including proper anesthetic applications for all phases of anesthesia (preparation, induction, maintenance, and post-operative care), normal patient vitals, monitoring techniques, anesthetic/analgesic applications, advanced techniques, medical mathematics, pharmacology, physiology, anatomy, etc., for lower ASA cases supervision from a veterinary nurse or clinician on the service.
• Ability to assess and monitor patient vitals, anesthetic depth, as well as pain score for lower ASA levels and procedures.
• Knowledge of proper anesthetic equipment handling, cleaning, applications, troubleshooting, and supplies.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to show compassion.
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
• Good time management skills.
• Ability to express patience and deal with high levels of stress.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail.
• Ability to lift, assist, and transport patients.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be a graduate of an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)- accredited program in Veterinary Technology with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
• Must obtain a license to practice in Tennessee within first year of employment
• Future graduates will be considered as long as degree is obtained prior to start date.

The Veterinary Medical Center is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year. Occasional weekend, evening, or holiday work may be required of this position.