Surgery Veterinary Technician or Assistant

Department: Veterinary Technicians

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Compensation: $18.00 - $25.00 / hour

Description

At Animal Emergency & Specialty Center - Chattanooga, we provide exceptional emergency care, specialty services, and advanced surgery for pets in need. Our highly skilled team of veterinarians, technicians, and support staff work together to deliver the highest standards of patient care in a compassionate, supportive environment. We are proud to be part of a network of veterinary emergency and specialty practices committed to providing exceptional care for pets and their families.
As a growing practice in the Chattanooga area, we are now seeking an experienced Veterinary Surgery Technician/Assistant to join our team. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about surgery and anesthesia, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is eager to contribute to the well-being of pets in critical care situations. If you are a motivated, detail-oriented technician with a love for surgery, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

The Veterinary Surgery Technician/Assistant will play a critical role in supporting our surgical team by preparing and assisting in surgeries, monitoring anesthesia, and providing post-operative care for our patients. You will be working alongside board-certified surgeons and emergency veterinarians to ensure that surgeries are performed safely and efficiently. You’ll have the opportunity to support a wide variety of surgical procedures, including soft tissue surgeries, orthopedic surgeries, and emergency trauma cases.

This is a full-time position requiring the ability to work weekends and holidays to accommodate the needs of our emergency and specialty practice. If you have a strong background in surgery and anesthesia, are passionate about providing high-quality patient care, and are looking for a collaborative and rewarding environment, we want to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

Surgical Preparation & Assistance:

• Surgical Prep: Prepare animals for surgery by performing pre-surgical assessments, including taking vitals, ensuring animals are stable, and preparing the surgical site.
• Sterilization & Equipment Setup: Ensure that all surgical tools, equipment, and instruments are sterile and ready for surgery. You will be responsible for setting up and maintaining an organized, sterile surgical environment.
• Assisting in Surgery: Assist the veterinarian and surgical team during procedures by providing instruments, maintaining a sterile field, and assisting with tissue handling and suturing.
• Anesthesia Monitoring: Monitor anesthesia levels, vital signs, and respiratory functions before, during, and after surgeries. Adjust anesthesia as needed, based on the veterinarian's instructions.

Patient Care & Recovery:

• Post-Operative Monitoring: Carefully monitor patients as they recover from anesthesia, ensuring proper pain management, hydration, and vital sign stability.
• Pain Management: Administer pain relief medications as directed, assess pain levels, and make adjustments to pain management protocols to ensure comfort and recovery.
• Post-Surgical Care: Provide clients with detailed post-surgical instructions and follow-up care recommendations, ensuring a smooth recovery for patients.
• Patient Record Keeping: Document all surgical procedures, anesthesia records, patient vitals, and recovery updates in the medical record system accurately.

Surgical Support & Maintenance:

• Instrument Maintenance: Regularly clean, sterilize, and maintain surgical instruments and equipment to ensure optimal functionality and safety.
• Surgical Inventory: Help manage inventory levels for surgical supplies, ensuring stock is regularly monitored and replenished as needed.
• Collaboration with Emergency & Specialty Team: Work closely with the emergency and specialty teams, assisting with triage and providing surgical support for critical cases.

Client Communication:

• Client Education: Communicate with clients before and after surgery to ensure they understand the procedures, expected outcomes, and post-operative care instructions.
• Compassionate Care: Provide empathetic care to pet owners, especially in high-stress situations such as emergency surgeries or trauma