Surgery Operating Room Veterinary Assistant

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
• 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 as assigned
• 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
• Following direction from the Supervisor, Lead Technician, or Point Technician for daily workflow

Surgical Assistance

• Assisting anesthetists with premedication, induction, intubation, and surgical preparation
• Preparing patients for surgical procedures
• Participating in all aspects of surgical department cleaning
• Providing non-sterile surgical assistance during procedures
• Sterile gowning and gloving for procedures as needed
• Assisting with post-operative radiographs and/or additional procedures
• Assisting with patient transport back to Wards/ICU following procedures

Surgeon Assistance

• Supporting the surgeon in managing surgical patients
• Retrieving and printing lab results as needed
• Submitting lab samples
• Demonstrating basic working knowledge of StringSoft

General Expectations

• Participate in regular team meetings
• Follows appropriate leadership structure when communicating, reporting, and resolving concerns and issues
• Maintain an optimistic attitude and follow TVETS policies including the Employee Code of Conduct. Your conduct and interaction with team members and clients is a top priority and is continually evaluated

• Adhere to all hospital policies and standards as required by the employee manual
• Serve as a representative of the hospital. Display courtesy, tact, consideration, and a positive attitude in all interactions with clients, patients, and team member
• Adhere to your work schedule. Be on the floor ready to work at the start of your shift
• Demonstrate initiative and teamwork in your duties each day
• Demonstrate professionalism and discourage gossip/rumors
• Maintain strict confidentiality
• Follow all hospital safety protocols
• Providing compassionate care to patients and clients
• Conducting oneself in a professional and confident manner, even under pressure
• Maintaining positive, cooperative working relationships with all team members
• Communicate openly, effectively, and regularly with all management/supervisors and specialists
• Maintain positive rapport between all hospital team members and clients
• Maintain open, positive, and productive communications

Personal conduct and interpersonal skills are very important. Interaction with hospital team members and clients is a top priority and is continually evaluated.

**Position responsibilities may change on a temporary or regular basis according to the needs of the service or business without it being specifically included in the job description.

SCHEDULE

Schedule: Day/Shift TBD. Includes working weekends and holidays as required by the service. On-call rotation in surgery. Schedule subject to change at managements discretion to meet the needs of the service. This position is considered essential and is therefore required to work as scheduled during inclement weather (i.e., during snowstorms).

EDUCATION AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Certified Veterinary Assistant preferred

• Degree in Veterinary Technology and/or Animal Science preferred

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 2 years working as a Veterinary Assistant

• Minimum 1 years of experience working in emergency and critical care, surgery, and/or specialty preferred

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 18 years old

• Genuinely enjoys working with animals and can treat them compassionately even when they are stressed, ill, or in pain.

• Provides advanced/specialized patient care.

• Enjoys working with people and clients.

• Ability to support and foster an environment of diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and empathy.

• Has excellent interpersonal relationship and communication skills.

• Can multi-task in a fast-paced working environment.

• Can stay calm and efficient under pressure.

• Detailed oriented and reliable.

• Has a high commitment to providing exceptional patient/client care.

• Has excellent client communication skills.

• Must be professional, approachable, and maintain a positive outlook.

• Proficient at working with digital records, Microsoft Word/Excel, and Google Docs.

• Physical Effort: Work requires lifting, carrying, and restraining animals (will be assisted by other staff members in lifting animals over 40 lbs.). Walks or stands for extended periods or time; frequently works in a bent position

• Working conditions: May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises, and animal feces. May be exposed to bites, scratches, and contagious diseases.

CONTINUEING EDUCATION

• Advanced training and credentialing are strongly encouraged.

• Required to attend in-hospital training and CE as assigned.