Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Veterinary Nurse (Overnight Shift)

PetVet Care Centers LLC; Mississippi; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A veterinary care organization is seeking an ICU veterinary technician to provide critical care to patients. Responsibilities include patient monitoring, administering medications, and assisting in advanced procedures. Candidates must have a minimum of 3-5 years in critical care and be knowledgeable in various veterinary techniques. The role involves a commitment to both animal care and team collaboration in a busy environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years of critical care, intensive care, and emergency experience.
• Knowledge of care and monitoring procedures and running CPRs.

Responsibilities

• Monitor patients’ vitals and alert doctors of major changes.
• Assist the doctor with treatment of patients including advanced procedures.

Skills

TPR/ physical assessment

Drug administration/ dosage calculation

Venipuncture

Catheter placement – venous and urinary

Cystocentesis – blind and ultrasound-guided

Critical care and emergency assessment

Customer service/communication skills for patient updates

Education

RVT or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Intensive Care Unit veterinary technicians are under the direct guidance and supervision of the doctor. Incumbents of this position are required to assist the practitioners to the fullest possible extent, to help improve the quality of care given to the patients of Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital and to aid the practitioners in achieving greater efficiency by relieving them of technical work and administrative detail.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for shift by rounding with the previous ICU tech to familiarize yourself with all ICU patients so you can properly care for, treat, assess, and monitor all ICU patients.
• Monitor patients chart and complete all upcoming treatments. This includes but is not limited to: preparing medications (oral and injectable), obtaining samples for diagnostics, ensuring bedding is clean, water bowls are filled and changed as allowed, offering appropriate food (if allowed), and monitoring eating patterns. Ensure all patients’ information is charted properly and on time in the patient records. Closely monitor patients’ mentation for any changes or abnormalities.
• Monitor patients’ vitals and know when to alert the doctor of major changes. Input progress notes frequently to alert other techs/assistants/doctors to updates. Check charts and verify that doctor notes and treatments are accurately obtained and entered.
• Proficiently place IV catheters, monitor site care, and assess for swelling or other complications. Record IV catheter duration and longevity.
• Perform diagnostics (no blood draws from cephalic veins and all jugular sticks must be doctor-approved). This includes: blood pressures (Doppler and Cardell), bloodwork (vet labs, I-stats, coags, PCV/TS, Snap tests, Leptospira testing, blood typing, cross matching, slide auto-agglutination, glucose), collecting urine via catheter/cysto/free catch, collecting samples for send-out labs with proper technique and tubes, radiographs, and monitoring oxygen saturation levels.
• Proficient in mathematics/calculations: CRIs, fluid additives, injection doses, oral medication strengths, IV fluid boluses and rates.
• Assist the doctor with treatment of patients, including but not limited to: placing NG/NE tubes, long-term and/or multi-lumen catheters, urinary catheters, nasal oxygen prongs/canulas, initiating supportive oxygen therapy, placing long-term ECG pads, and starting telemetry monitoring.
• Properly, promptly, and knowledgeably run a CPR/code with a DVM. Ability to intubate, calculate, draw up, and administer ER drugs. Chart all information on CPR/code forms. Bag/ventilate as needed and perform chest compressions. Attach all Cardell telemetries to the patient and verify machine function.
• Maintain an efficient ICU flow, ensuring treatments are completed by their due times and adjusting therapies to permit patient rest and achievable workloads.
• Ensure emergency and CPR equipment and materials (anesthesia machine, suctions, ET tubes, ER drugs, telemetries, ambu bag/crash cart, etc.) are available, prepared, and ready for all emergencies/CPRs for each shift.
• Coordinate discharge preparation by verifying times, completing treatments and medications, and providing appropriate discharge instructions. Prepare any prescription diets for go-home when time allows, and ensure patient IVCs are removed and belongings are accounted for during discharge.
• Check weekly/monthly task lists and complete tasks when time allows. Keep your ICU area clean, organized, and stocked. Ensure a smooth handoff to the next ICU tech.

Advancement

Veterinary Technicians in this practice will be taught and trained to the limits of their potential. If, during training, an individual shows interest in a specific field (e.g., oncology or anesthesiology), continuing education in that field will be encouraged. Encouragement may include subsidies for outside courses or formal in-house training.

Other Significant Facts

Knowledge

• RVT or equivalent; minimum 3-5 years of critical care, intensive care, and emergency experience
• Knowledge of care and monitoring procedures, ordering medical supplies, and requesting laboratory tests, and running CPRs
• Knowledge of the use, care, and storage of veterinary instruments, materials, medications, and equipment
• Knowledge of sterilization techniques for instruments and materials
• Knowledge of instruments, materials, and procedures used in treatments to assist DVM

Skills

• TPR/ physical assessment
• Drug administration/ dosage calculation
• Venipuncture
• Catheter placement – venous and urinary
• Cystocentesis – blind and ultrasound-guided
• CPR
• Critical care and emergency assessment
• Record/interpret ECG
• Radiology
• Anesthesiology
• Post-surgical care/monitoring
• Laboratory testing (CBC, chemistry, UA, viral tests, PT/PTT, Idexx/Antech)
• Set up and monitoring of equipment (Doppler, Cardell, SpO2, ECG, IV pumps, anesthesia machines, suction, crash cart, O2 cage)
• Recognition and knowledge of infectious/zoonotic diseases; educate on ICU treatment
• Customer service/communication skills for patient updates

Physical Effort

Work often requires lifting and carrying animals up to 100 lbs. Assistance from colleagues is available for handling larger animals. Prolonged standing or bending is common.

Working Conditions

Exposure to unpleasant odors and noises; potential bites, scratches, and animal waste; exposure to contagious diseases.

Pay Range: $23 — $30 USD

PetVet Care Centers is committed to a Culture of Care for pets, their people, and the team. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 professionals, including 1,700+ veterinarians, we offer a blend of local leadership and national support to help hospitals thrive.

Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.

You care for pets. We care for you.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V