Current jobs related to Overnight Veterinary Technician or Assistant - Marietta, Georgia - Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency

Department:
Veterinary Technicians

Location:
Marietta, Georgia

Description
At
Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency
, we are dedicated to providing exceptional, compassionate care to pets in need of emergency services and specialized veterinary care. Located in
Marietta, GA
, our hospital is a leader in the field of critical care, emergency medicine, and specialty services, including: Oncology Surgery and Anesthesia Internal Medicine Critical & Urgent Care …and much more

As part of our commitment to excellence, we are looking for a Full-Time
Overnight Veterinary Technician
to join our dedicated team. This role offers the opportunity to work the
overnight
shift (
7:00 PM – 7:00 AM)
, where you'll be responsible for providing high-level care to critically ill or injured pets while supporting the hospital's emergency and specialty services.

As an
Overnight Veterinary Technician
at
Dogwood
, your primary responsibility will be to ensure that patients receive outstanding care during the overnight hours, when many emergency cases are seen.

Key Responsibilities
Emergency & Critical Care:

• Provide direct care for emergency and critically ill patients, including but not limited to:
• Stabilization of patients experiencing acute distress or trauma
• IV fluid therapy to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance
• Pain management through administration of prescribed analgesics
• Continuous monitoring of vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation)
• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian, ensuring patient responses are closely monitored
• Assist in emergency procedures such as:
• CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
• Tracheal intubation and airway management
• Wound care, including bandaging and suturing
• Venipuncture for blood draws or IV access

Patient Monitoring:

• Continuously monitor critically ill patients to ensure stability, including tracking vital signs and patient responses
• Operate and maintain advanced monitoring equipment such as:
• ECG (Electrocardiography)
• Pulse oximeter
• Capnography for CO2 monitoring
• Blood pressure cuffs (non-invasive and invasive)
• Provide constant observation of patients during anesthesia for surgeries or diagnostic imaging procedures, ensuring patient safety and comfort

Diagnostic & Laboratory Support:

• Perform diagnostic tests and bloodwork, including:
• CBC (Complete Blood Count), chemistry panels, and blood gas analysis
• Urinalysis to assess kidney and urinary tract function
• Prepare patients for diagnostic imaging (X-rays, ultrasounds), ensuring proper positioning and safety
• Assist veterinarians with interpretation of diagnostic results during critical care cases
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, including hematology analyzers and chemistry analyzers, ensuring devices are calibrated and functioning properly

Anesthesia & Surgery Assistance:

• Prepare and assist with emergency surgeries, ensuring proper sterile techniques and equipment setup
• Provide anesthesia monitoring during surgeries, adjusting as needed to maintain patient stability
• Administer anesthetic agents, assisting with induction and recovery, and ensuring patients are stable throughout the procedure
• Provide post-operative care, including:
• Monitoring recovery from anesthesia
• Managing pain relief and ensuring patients remain comfortable
• Observing for complications such as respiratory or cardiovascular instability during recovery

Client Communication & Documentation:

• Communicate clearly and compassionately with pet owners regarding their pets' conditions, procedures, and treatment plans, especially during overnight hours
• Document all aspects of patient care, treatments, and client communications in the electronic medical record (EMR) system
• Provide clear, concise follow-up care instructions to clients once patients are discharged, ensuring they feel supported and informed during the recovery process

Inventory & Equipment Management:

• Ensure medical supplies and medications are adequately stocked, organized, and ready for use during the night shift
• Assist with maintaining and updating controlled substances inventory, ensuring compliance with regulations and proper documentation
• Regularly check and ensure functionality of medical equipment, reporting any malfunctions or issues to appropriate team members for repair or replacement

Team Collaboration & Leadership:

• Work closely with veterinarians, other veterinary technicians, and hospital staff to manage emergency patient care, ensuring smooth operations and effective collaboration
• Assist in mentoring and training junior technicians, interns, and veterinary students, providing guidance on emergency procedures and critical care best practices
• Promote a positive, collaborative environment in the hospital, fostering teamwork and efficient patient care
• Support leadership in identifying opportunities for process improvements and best practices in emergency and critical care

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise to be Successful
Education & Certification:

• High School Diploma Required,
  graduation from an accredited Veterinary Technician program is strongly preferred
• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
• RVT or LVT certification is preferred. Non-licensed candidates with significant experience and skills will be considered.
• Additional Certifications
  (preferred but not required):
• Emergency & Critical Care (ECC) Certification
• Canine and Feline CPR Certification
• Anesthesia Certification

Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of veterinary technician experience
  in a fast-paced, high-volume general practice or emergency veterinary hospital
• Previous experience in emergency, critical care, or specialty veterinary environments strongly preferred.
• Experience with emergency and critical care procedures is highly desirable, including:
• Patient stabilization techniques
• Triage and rapid assessment in emergency situations
• Handling high-acuity cases (e.g., trauma, poisoning, respiratory distress)
• Comfortable in high-pressure, fast-paced environments, with the ability to stay calm and focused during emergencies.
• Experience working overnight shifts in an emergency or specialty setting is a plus.

Technical Skills:

• Proficient in essential veterinary technical skills
  , including:
• Venipuncture (IV catheter placement, blood draws)
• Placement of urinary catheters (e.g., cystocentesis)
• Endotracheal intubation and airway management
• Emergency CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
• Strong anesthesia monitoring abilities
  , including:
• Administering anesthetic agents
• Monitoring and adjusting anesthesia during procedures and recovery
• Managing IV fluid therapy to support critical patients
• Experience with diagnostic imaging equipment
  , such as:
• Digital radiology
• Ultrasound for imaging and diagnostics
• Proficient in laboratory procedures
  and diagnostics, including:
• Performing and interpreting CBC (Complete Blood Count), chemistry panels, blood gas analysis, and urinalysis
• Familiarity with lab equipment such as hematology analyzers and chemistry analyzers
• Proficient in medical mathematics
  for accurate medication dosages, fluid calculations, and anesthesia protocols.

Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving:

• Strong critical thinking skills to make swift, accurate decisions in high-stress, fast-paced situations.
• Ability to assess and prioritize patient needs during emergencies, including trauma cases, respiratory distress, and other critical conditions.
• Skilled in troubleshooting and adapting to dynamic, ever-changing patient needs, especially when faced with complicated or unusual medical cases.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex medical information to pet owners.
• Empathy and emotional intelligence when communicating with stressed or anxious clients, particularly during nighttime hours when owners may be more worried about their pets' conditions.
• Ability to explain medical procedures, treatment options, and recovery plans in a clear, reassuring, and compassionate manner.
• Team-oriented communication to work effectively with veterinarians, technicians, and hospital staff during emergency situations and in support of overnight care.

Physical & Emotional Resilience:

• Ability to lift and carry patients up to 40 pounds and assist with patient positioning, especially in critical care or emergency procedures.
• Comfortable performing physically demanding tasks (e.g., positioning patients, lifting, restraining) for extended periods.
• Emotional resilience to handle the stress and emotional challenges that come with working in emergency and critical care settings, especially during overnight hours.
• Ability to maintain focus and efficiency during long shifts in a busy and sometimes high-stress work environment.

What We Offer
Competitive Salary, including Overnight Shift Differentials & Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being and financial future:
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  with multiple plan options to choose from
• Paid time off (PTO)
  , including vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan
  with employer matching contributions to help you plan for your future
• Life insurance
  and short-term disability coverage for added peace of mind
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
  for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Ongoing Education & Professional Development
:

• Opportunities for continued learning and growth, with financial support for:
• Certifications in specialized areas such as Emergency & Critical Care (ECC), Surgery, Oncology, and Anesthesia
• Access to continuing education (CE) courses, workshops, and conferences to stay up-to-date with the latest veterinary practices and technologies
• Support for obtaining advanced certifications in veterinary specialties, allowing you to expand your skill set and career potential

State-of-the-Art Facilities & Technology
:

• Access to the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies, including:
• Advanced imaging equipment such as digital radiology and ultrasound for accurate diagnostics
• Cutting-edge laboratory equipment for real-time bloodwork, diagnostics, and patient monitoring
• High-tech anesthesia machines and patient monitoring systems to ensure the best care for critical cases
• Well-equipped emergency and specialty treatment areas with everything you need to provide top-tier care

Collaborative Team Environment
:

• Work alongside a dedicated and supportive team of skilled veterinary professionals, including:
• Experienced veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and support staff who are passionate about animal care
• Collaborative environment where all team members contribute their expertise to provide the highest level of care for patients
• Opportunities for mentorship and knowledge sharing, with senior staff committed to fostering your growth and development

Impactful & Rewarding Work
:

• Make a real difference in the lives of pets and their families by:
• Providing life-saving treatment and stabilization to critically ill and injured animals
• Delivering compassionate care and support to pet owners during some of their most challenging moments
• Take pride in being part of a team that saves lives and improves the health and well-being of animals in need
• Opportunity to work in a field that brings meaningful rewards, knowing that your efforts directly impact the health and happiness of pets and their families