Large Animal Hospital Veterinary Treatment Assistant

Summary

This position assists in the treatment of horses and other large animals admitted to the Large Animal Hospital, provides assistance to the professional staff, may assist in instructing students in proper clinical technique for supporting primary care; act as a surgical nurse for emergency surgeries, helps to maintain a sanitary and functionally well-organized service within the Large Animal Hospital.

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.

• Assist in providing clinical support to faculty veterinarians in the delivery and instruction of primary care; assist professional staff in performing critical and intensive care or life sustaining emergency care, diagnostic services, blood collection, and fluid administration as directed.
• Performs or assists in patient medical evaluation and observation.
• Administers medications, collects, prepares, and submits clinical pathology samples, captures and inputs fees for materials and services.
• Must demonstrate basic 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.
• Handle, manipulate, restrain and treat large animals, primarily horses, but may include goats, alpacas, llamas and bovine patients.
• Independently sets up, maintains and ensures proper storage of specialized diagnostic equipment.
  Act as a surgical nurse for emergency surgeries.
• Maintains supply inventory within the assigned areas; maintains a clean/sanitary and functionally organized clinical service area.
• Manages after-hours admissions and discharges including gathering and recording information pertinent to cases, visitor policies and emergency call-ins.

Education and Experience

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

Licensure and Certification

None

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

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