Summary
The Specialty Care Veterinary Technician, Emergency Triage serves as the first clinical touchpoint for emergent patients, performing rapid assessment, prioritization, and stabilization within the Emergency & Critical Care (ECC) Service. Responsibilities include triage categorization, immediate nursing interventions, advanced monitoring, emergency sample collection, and team coordination to facilitate timely diagnostics and treatments. The technician communicates effectively with clinicians,…
students, and clients (including by phone); maintains meticulous medical records and support the service’s teaching mission through bedside instruction and mentorship. The ideal candidate demonstrates calm, decisive action under pressure, strong technical skills, excellent communication, and a commitment to customer service and patient-centered, team-based care.
Technicians are placed into a Level I, II, or III role based on demonstrated competency, experience, leadership, and teaching proficiency. Advancement reflects increased autonomy, technical mastery, case flow coordination, and contribution to student education and ECC hospital operations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (all levels)
- Perform primary survey (airway, breathing, circulation, disability) and secondary survey to assign acuity (immediate, urgent, non-urgent).
- Identify life-threatening problems and initiate standing triage protocols (STAT calls)
- Coordinate patient flow from lobby to emergency treatment/ICU and notify clinicians of high-acuity arrives by activating code/rapid (STAT) response as needed.
- Coordinate with referring veterinarians when appropriate
- Provide clear, empathetic updates to clients on triage process and next steps under clinician directions
- Receive, triage, and route incoming client calls by distinguishing emergencies from urgent/non-urgent concerns using service triage guidelines
- Document phone interactions in the medical record and verify understanding of arrival instructions, medications, and precaution criteria
- Escalate red flags immediately to clinician on-duty and activate rapid intake for critical arrivals by utilizing de-escalation techniques in high-stress conversations.
- Adhere to hospital infection control and OSHA standards
Level I – Developing ER Triage Technician
In addition to Core Responsibilities:
- Conducts initial vital sign acquisition
- Monitors stable to moderately stable patients with direct oversight
- Accurately documents triage findings
- Handles routine inbound and scheduling-related client calls; provides scripted status updates with oversight
- Documents accurately in PIMS
Level II – Proficient ER Triage Technician
In addition to Core Responsibilities:
- Independently triages routine and urgent cases.
- Recognizes decompensation and initiates stabilization protocols
- Independently triages urgent client calls, obtains focused phone histories, alerts emergency team, and provides clear instructions to the owner
- Contributes to workflow improvements
Level III – Advanced Technician
In addition to Core Responsibilities:
- Able to triage multi-patient arrivals and mass-casualty scenarios; coordinates code responses and resource allocation
- Trains and mentors incoming House Officers on triage processes
- Serve as liaison between clinicians, technicians, leadership, and specialty services to optimize patient flow and outcomes.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities but may assist in training and mentoring veterinary students and junior staff.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must have regular, predictable, in-person attendance and be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
Other Qualifications
- Proficiency in emergency and triage protocols
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with clients, students, and colleagues during high-stress situations.
- Dedication to team-based care, client service, and patient well-being
- Strong verbal communication, empathy, de-escalation, and real-time, time-stamped documentation in PIMS while on the a call.
- Willing to work flexible hours, including evenings or weekends as needed.
- Ability to adapt in a dynamic teaching environment.
- Commitment to continuing education and professional development
- Ability to remain calm and focused during emergency situations.
Education and/or Experience
- High school diploma or GED required.
Level I:
- CVT preferred
- 1-2 years of clinical experience in general practice or a small animal emergency/specialty setting
Level II:
- CVT preferred
- Minimum 2-4 years of progressive clinical experience.
- Demonstrates competency in a specific specialty area
Level III:
- CVT strongly preferred
- 5+ years of progressive clinical experience in a specific specialty
- Demonstrated advanced emergency services experience
General Knowledge
- Understand the scope of general practice veterinary services and common small animal conditions.
- Be reasonably familiar with breeds and coat colors.
- Follow OSHA standards. Be able to find Material Safety Data Sheets quickly.
- Know and use standard medical and business abbreviations.
- Use proper medical terminology and spelling when speaking and writing.
- Be familiar with infectious diseases, including their prevention and steps to reduce or eliminate transmission. Know the most common zoonotic diseases (infections from animals to humans).
Computer Skills
Ability to learn veterinary practice information management software Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Physical Demands
Must be able to stand for long periods and lift animals or equipment up to 40 pounds without assistance. Assist in lifting or moving heavier animals with team support.
Animal Allergies Statement
No inhibiting allergies to animals, hay, or dust.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
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