Surgery Operating Room Veterinary Assistant

Job Details

Job Location: Walpole, MA 02081Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $20.00 - $24.00 HourlyJob Shift: Day

Tufts V.E.T.S. is a multispecialty emergency and critical care VECCS level 1 certified facility in New England. We are an affiliate of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, at Tufts University, providing a unique environment that integrates learning into a busy private practice setting.  We are committed to providing the highest standard of patient care from a wide range of specialty services including emergency and critical care, anesthesia, surgery, internal medicine, oncology, radiology and diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, and urgent care.  We are continually seeking to unite highly skilled professionals in veterinary medicine to provide a collaborative environment that strives to promote and strengthen the human-animal bond.    

 

Tufts V.E.T.S. strives to be a community where diversity and inclusion are a priority. 

 

REPORTS TO: Surgery/Anesthesia Technician Supervisor

 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Operating Room Veterinary Assistant plays a key role within the surgery service, providing critical support to both the surgical and anesthesia teams. This position is responsible for assisting with patient preparation and providing support throughout all phases of surgical care—pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative.

Core responsibilities include surgical room setup and turnover, instrument cleaning and care, and maintaining a sterile environment. The OR Assistant also supports anesthesia workflows by preparing supplies and equipment and ensuring efficient case transitions. Additionally, this role involves hands-on patient care and husbandry, with a focus on comfort, safety, and smooth recovery.

This is a dynamic and fast-paced role, ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, collaborative, and committed to delivering high-quality patient care in a surgical setting.

 

POSITION RESPONSIBILTIES

Must be signed off on and proficient with all assigned Veterinary Assistant skills and responsibilities.

 

Surgery-specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting with operating blood analyzer machines and performing in-house testing

• Assisting with diagnostic imaging, including patient positioning

• Scanning medical records and operating computer software (StringSoft, Microsoft Word/Excel)

• Assisting with surgical appointments, patient restraint, and bandage changes

• Setting up and/or cleaning surgical inpatient cages and runs

• Assisting with surgical patient admissions as directed, including obtaining TPRs

• Managing surgical suites for setup, breakdown, and general maintenance

• Turning over surgical suites between procedures

• Opening and closing rooms at the start and end of the day

• Stocking surgical suites, induction area, pack prep, and bandage carts

• Maintaining gas tanks and placing orders as necessary

• Assisting the Central Sterilization Technician with autoclave maintenance and quality control as needed

• Reporting equipment or machine issues to the Supervisor/Lead Technician and Chief of Surgery

• Assisting with central sterilization of surgical instruments, including cleaning, wrapping, sterilizing, and general maintenance

• Ensuring instruments are re-autoclaved and rotated appropriately

• Assisting in monitoring and maintaining surgical inventory 

• Supporting the Central Sterilization Technician in ordering orthopedic supplies as needed

• Ensuring a minimum stock of essential supplies is maintained at all times

• Following up to confirm orders are placed and received completely

• Assisting the Supervisor/Lead Technician and Central Sterilization Technician with maintaining the instrument and pack log

• Supporting the Supervisor/Lead Technician with protocol updates related to surgical nursing and central sterilization

• Assisting, as needed, with scheduling equipment for gas sterilization

• Assisting with setup of patient monitoring equipment and warming devices

• Participating in morning surgery rounds

• Maintaining accurate and legible medical records in accordance with hospital policy

• Safely and effectively restraining patients, including those that are large or difficult

• Contributing to a clean, organized facility as part of regular duties

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