Veterinary Assistant 1, 2, or 3-SAICU

All Job Postings will close at 12:01a.m. CST (1:01a.m. EST) on the specified Closing Date (if designated).

If you close the browser or exit your application prior to submitting, the application progress will be saved as a draft. You will be able to access and complete the application through “My Draft Applications” located on your Candidate Home page.

Job Posting Title

Veterinary Assistant 1, 2, or 3-SAICU

Position Type

Professional / Unclassified

Department

LSUAM VetMed - VTH - Admin - Nursing - Small Animal Intensive Care Unit (Jose Juarez (00070166))

Work Location

Veterinary Medicine

Pay Grade

Job Description

The Small Animal Intensive Care Unit (SA-ICU) provides continuous patient care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Our intensive care facility maintains a 52-patient capacity and delivers around-the-clock monitoring and treatment for critically ill and injured animals. The ICU also serves as the primary anesthesia and surgical recovery area and provides triage support for cases presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital emergency department. The ICU veterinary technicians and assistants provide advanced nursing care to critically ill patients, support emergency and critical care operations, maintains ICU readiness, and participates in teaching and training activities within the hospital.

Veterinary Assistant 1:

40%-Assist with advanced nursing procedures and intensive care treatments for critically ill and hospitalized patients. Administer medications and treatments as prescribed, ensuring proper dosing, administration, and documentation. Place and maintain intravenous catheters. Assist with venipuncture, cystocentesis, abdominal and thoracic fluid collection procedures, and other technical nursing procedures as directed. Assist with the operation of and monitor life-support and intensive care equipment. Closely monitor patient status and promptly communicate changes in condition to the veterinary team. Recover and monitor anesthetized and post-surgical patients, documenting vital signs and recovery progress. Maintain accurate and complete medical records.

20%-Assist the Emergency Service with patient admission, triage, assessment, and stabilization of emergency case as needed. Remain prepared to initiate CPR and other emergency interventions when required. Handle and maintain Class II controlled substances in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements. Verify prescribed dosages and requested quantities.  Assist with obtaining, dispensing, and accurately documenting controlled drug usage. Assist with ensure appropriate drug administration. Assist with maintaining required inventory and usage records. Properly dispose of unused controlled substances and document disposal procedures.

20%-Assist with maintaining the ICU in a constant state of operational readiness. Assist with complete daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance responsibilities. Assist with equipment quality control checks and routine maintenance procedures. Assist with monitoring inventory levels and ensuring adequate stocking of medications, supplies, and emergency equipment. Assist with maintaining a daily census of ICU patients, procedures performed, and hospitalization charges. Assist with completing accurate and timely data entry of all patient charges and fees.

10%-Assist with communicating patient signalment, diagnosis, treatment plans, current status, and nursing considerations to staff on incoming shifts. Communicate with veterinarians, residents, interns, students, and fellow technicians to ensure continuity of care and optimal patient outcomes. Contribute to a positive team environment focused on excellence in patient care.

10%-Participate in veterinary teaching activities as assigned. Assist with training veterinary students, interns, residents, and newly hired staff in ICU procedures and patient care protocols. Support the educational mission of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital through demonstration of best practices in critical care nursing. Serve as designated emergency response personnel and work assigned holiday shifts as required.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree; OR associate's degree in veterinary technology OR credentials as a vet tech or equivalent OR 3 years of experience in a working environment with similar duties.

Veterinary Assistant 2:

40%-Perform advanced nursing procedures and intensive care treatments for critically ill and hospitalized patients. Administer medications and treatments as prescribed, ensuring proper dosing, administration, and documentation. Place and maintain intravenous catheters. Perform venipuncture, cystocentesis, abdominal and thoracic fluid collection procedures, and other technical nursing procedures as directed. Operate and monitor life-support and intensive care equipment. Closely monitor patient status and promptly communicate changes in condition to the veterinary team. Recover and monitor anesthetized and post-surgical patients, documenting vital signs and recovery progress. Maintain accurate and complete medical records.

20%-Assist the Emergency Service with patient admission, triage, assessment, and stabilization of emergency case as needed. Remain prepared to initiate CPR and other emergency interventions when required. Handle and maintain Class II controlled substances in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements. Verify prescribed dosages and requested quantities. Obtain, dispense, and accurately document controlled drug usage. Ensure appropriate drug administration. Maintain required inventory and usage records. Properly dispose of unused controlled substances and document disposal procedures.

20%-Maintain the ICU in a constant state of operational readiness. Complete daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance responsibilities. Perform equipment quality control checks and routine maintenance procedures. Monitor inventory levels and ensure adequate stocking of medications, supplies, and emergency equipment. Maintain a daily census of ICU patients, procedures performed, and hospitalization charges. Complete accurate and timely data entry of all patient charges and fees.

10%-Effectively communicate patient signalment, diagnosis, treatment plans, current status, and nursing considerations to staff on incoming shifts Communicate with veterinarians, residents, interns, students, and fellow technicians to ensure continuity of care and optimal patient outcomes. Contribute to a positive team environment focused on excellence in patient care.

10%-Participate in veterinary teaching activities as assigned. Assist with training veterinary students, interns, residents, and newly hired staff in ICU procedures and patient care protocols. Support the educational mission of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital through demonstration of best practices in critical care nursing. Serve as designated emergency response personnel and work assigned holiday shifts as required. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree; OR associate's degree in veterinary technology with 2 years' experience OR credentials as a vet tech or equivalent with 2 years' experience OR 5 years of experience in a working environment with similar duties.

Veterinary Assistant 3:

40%-Perform and teach advanced nursing procedures and intensive care treatments for critically ill and hospitalized patients. Administer medications and treatments as prescribed, ensuring proper dosing, administration, and documentation. Place and maintain intravenous catheters. Perform and teach venipuncture, cystocentesis, abdominal and thoracic fluid collection procedures, and other technical nursing procedures as directed. Operate and monitor life-support and intensive care equipment. Closely monitor patient status and promptly communicate changes in condition to the veterinary team. Recover and monitor anesthetized and post-surgical