Large Animal Hospital Surgical Technician I

Summary

The individual in this position primarily acts as a surgical nurse utilizing proper clinical techniques in support of the Large Animal Hospital Surgery Service and its clinicians. Additional duties include restrain horses for exams and diagnostic procedures, jog horses and aid in the positioning of horses in the MRI unit throughout the workday several days of every workweek. This is a physically demanding position that requires excellent horse handling skills and experience.

Examples of Work

Job functions are specific duties that would be included in the essential functions of the job description. These functions are not all-inclusive nor do they cover the full extent of the duties performed.

• This position will be assisting in surgery for all patients in the Large Animal Hospital and working in sterile supply requiring the incumbent to stand for long periods of time.
• Must have working knowledge surgical instruments, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, sterile technique and decontamination procedures.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology and drug reactions, doses and usage.
• Be able to perform calculations for fluids rates and drugs.
• Must have working knowledge of normal and abnormal values for lab work and their indications.
• Intermittently, will require the physical ability and stamina to jog, flex horse’s limbs and lunge horses during physical exams.
• This is a physically demanding position that requires excellent horse handling skills and experience.
• This is a position that requires the experience and physical ability to handle, manipulate, restrain and treat large animals, primarily horses, but may include goats, alpacas, llamas and bovine patients.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology and drug reactions, doses and usage.
• Be able to perform calculations for fluids rates and drugs.
• Must have working knowledge of normal and abnormal values for lab work and their indications.
• Additional duties include administering treatments to animals admitted to the Large Animal Hospital under supervision of the Professional staff, provide clinical assistance to the professional staff, instruct veterinary students and technicians in proper surgical techniques, and maintain a sanitary and functionally well-organized surgical service within the Large Animal Hospital.
• Provides clinical service support by maintaining a supply inventory and supervising and replenishing stock within the assigned areas and maintains a clean/sanitary and functionally organized clinical service area.
• Independently sets up, maintains and ensures proper storage of specialized surgical equipment.

Education and Experience

High school diploma and two years of experience loading, unloading, restraining, handling and treating horses or one year of experience loading, unloading, restraining, handling and treating horses in a veterinary academic teaching hospital.

Licensure and Certification

Certification or licensure as a Veterinary Technician preferred.

Supervision

Received: Detailed and precise supervision from clinicians, supervisors or higher ranking technicians. Instructions are both written and oral. Minimal supervision is required but supervisor is normally available for advice and consultation.

Exercised: Provides general instruction and review to veterinary students and lower ranking technicians. May provide periodic instructions and review of student workers, and OPS technicians in the absence of a professional staff member or higher ranking technician.

To see common career pathways for each position at the University of Florida please visit the Career Paths section of the UFHR website.