Surgery Patient Care Assistant

Do you love animals? Are you interested in a career in veterinary medicine? Or are you looking to take your veterinary career to the next level by working at one of the premier veterinary hospitals in the country? Then becoming a Patient Care Assistant at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center is the career path for you! 

The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC), located in the heart of New York City, seeks a Surgery Patient Care Assistant. This is a rare opportunity to join the world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital and take your career to the next level.

Our Patient Care Assistants get the unparalleled opportunity to grow and expand their skillset working alongside top specialists and experienced Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) at the world’s largest non-profit animal hospital. Patient Care Assistants work with our patients from the initial exam and diagnosis, through treatments, advanced procedures, and discharge. Our Patient Care Assistants are vital to our patients’ success, and they are highly valued members of our care teams. 

The Surgery Patient Care Assistant (PCA) provides advanced veterinary assistance to the Doctors and Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs) within the Surgery Department. This position supports surgical preparation and case flow by performing both patient-facing and technical support duties, ensuring surgical procedures proceed efficiently and safely. 

Who this position is right for:

• Experienced veterinary assistants looking to further their knowledge base and skillset 
• Pre-Veterinary and Veterinary Technician students who want to work and learn alongside veterinarians and technicians that are in the top of their fields while getting hands on patient experience

Responsibilities:

• Ability to take notes while in exam rooms with veterinarians and clients
• Ability to Master AMC Veterinary Assistant skills Levels I-IV
• Ability to cross reference medical record systems and follow treatment plans
• Specialized handling and restraint of painful, debilitated, and compensated patients of all species
• Perform treatments as pertains to a NYS non-licensed technician
• Assist in patient monitoring, supportive therapies, treatments, and procedures related to the department
• Monitor patients' vital signs using multiparameter monitoring equipment
• Recognize changes in patients' status & react appropriately
• Attend DVM and LVT rounds, fundamental to understanding patient’s disease processes
• Provide safe and effective restraint and handling of small animal patients in a surgical setting.
• Assist in surgical supportive therapy, including patient preparation (clip/scrub), positioning, and transfer to/from surgical suites.
• Assist with setup of surgical procedures, including orthopedic, soft tissue, and minimally invasive procedures (laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, upper airway scopingendoscopy, cystoscopy, arthroscopy).
• Aid in operation, troubleshooting, cleaning, and maintenance of surgical equipment (including minimally invasive equipment in the ORs and prep, suction, and cautery units).
• Support diagnostic imaging needs, including positioning and image acquisition for radiographs and fluoroscopy (preferred).
• Take basic patient vitals (TPR, weight) and perform pre-operative assessments as directed.
• Collect and prepare samples for basic laboratory testing (fecal, UA, cytology prep, etc.).
• Gather and input patient history and surgical request information, including follow-ups for research or educational cases as directed by doctors.
• Assist with surgical inventory maintenance, restocking, and tracking expired or missing items.
• Support the cleaning and turnover of surgical suites and patient prep areas.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with team members, clients, and referring veterinarians as needed. 

Schedules:

• TBD

Qualifications:

• 1+ years of experience in a specialty or surgical veterinary setting preferred. 
• Must be proficient in-patient handling/restraint
  
• Proficiency with surgical positioning and familiarity with aseptic technique. 
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, demanding environment, handling multiple tasks with competing deadlines while paying close attention to details
  
• Knowledge of surgical and operating room equipment operation (Stryker, Arthrex, Storz, Portable x-ray units) and care (including suction, and cautery). 
• Demonstrated ability to provide quality patient care, technical services, and client communication
  
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, in a fast past environment, demonstrating a high level of initiative
  
• Must be proficient in-patient handling and monitoring, supportive therapy, treatments, and procedures
  
• Comfort with basic patient assessment and vitals collection. 
• Understanding of basic lab procedures and diagnostic terminology. 
• Strong communication skills, time management, and ability to multitask in a high-paced environment. 
• Must have animal handling experience, and be able to restrain all species
  
• Must have ability to remain composed in stressful and emergency situations
  
• Must exhibit good organizational, multi-tasking, and communication skills
  
• Must be able to follow detailed protocols
  
• Seeks to enhance & develop skills & knowledge
  
• Must neatly and correctly fill out paperwork as necessary
  
• Must be flexible and accommodate shift work in a hospital that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year 

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds
• Able to stand, walk, lift, and bend for extended periods. 
• Comfortable working in a surgical/sterile environment for prolonged shifts. 

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Competitive salary
• Sign-on bonus of $1,000
• Generous paid time off
• Tuition assistance
• 50% discount on veterinary care
• 403b matching
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• You may be eligible for The Public Loan Service Forgiveness Program as we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit employer