The Equine Internal Medicine Technician provides advanced nursing, diagnostic, and technical support for equine internal medicine, emergency, critical care, and hospitalized patients. This position assists veterinarians with patient admissions, diagnostics, treatments, procedures, and ongoing case management while ensuring exceptional patient care and client service. The technician is responsible for administering treatments, monitoring hospitalized patients, maintaining medical equipment and pharmacy inventory, documenting medical records, and training interns and new staff. This role requires strong equine handling skills, critical thinking abilities, technical proficiency, and a commitment to excellent patient outcomes.
Wages and Benefits
$21-$25 per hour; benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; supplemental benefit options; a 401(k) match after 6 months; competitive PTO accrual; and a continuing education stipend. A full benefits package is available upon request with a completed application.
Key Responsibilities
Set up examination rooms, equipment, and treatment areas for emergencies and diagnostic procedures.
Assist veterinarians with emergency and critical care case admissions, triage, diagnostics, and treatment plans.
Provide daily treatments and nursing care for hospitalized patients, including foals and isolation cases.
Safely restrain equine patients, including critically ill horses and foals, for examinations and procedures.
Prepare and administer medications, fluids, sedation, and treatments as directed by veterinarians.
Place and maintain intravenous catheters; perform venipuncture, blood collection, and intravenous medication administration.
Monitor patient condition and promptly communicate significant findings to attending veterinarians.
Assist internal medicine veterinarians and interns with gastroscopy procedures, neurologic examinations, emergency cases, sick foal management, and other medical procedures.
Perform laboratory testing, process samples, and recognize abnormalities requiring veterinary review.
Maintain accurate medical records, laboratory submissions, controlled substance logs, treatment sheets, and hospital documentation.
Ensure accurate billing and charging for inpatient and outpatient procedures according to hospital protocols.
Submit pharmacy requests, monitor medication inventory, and coordinate stock management with the pharmacy team.
Perform routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and coordination of service repairs for hospital equipment including monitoring equipment, ultrasound units, endoscopes, and sterilization equipment.
Train interns, veterinary technician students, and new employees in ICU nursing procedures, hospital protocols, and patient care standards.
Communicate professionally with clients regarding patient care, treatment plans, and discharge instructions as directed.
Follow all hospital biosecurity, safety, and isolation protocols.
Clean and disinfect examination rooms, treatment areas, and equipment after patient use.
Maintain proficiency with hospital computer systems, medical records software, and diagnostic equipment.
Education/Experience: Graduation from an AVMA-accredited school of veterinary technology is preferred. Candidates must be in good standing with the applicable state veterinary technician governing association (e.g., CACVT). Prior experience in equine internal medicine, referral practice, emergency medicine, or critical care is strongly preferred. Experience working with hospitalized equine patients, foals, and isolation cases is beneficial.
Language Skills: Ability to read, understand, and write simple instructions, correspondence, and medical records. Ability to communicate effectively with clients, veterinarians, coworkers, and hospital staff in both individual and group settings.
Math Skills: Ability to calculate medication dosages, fluid rates, dilutions, percentages, ratios, and volumes. Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations accurately and efficiently.
Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply sound judgment and critical thinking in patient care situations, prioritize tasks appropriately, recognize medical abnormalities, and respond effectively in emergency situations.
Computer Skills: Proficiency with standard computer software and veterinary practice management systems. Ability to maintain accurate electronic medical records and billing documentation.
Special Skills: Strong equine handling, restraint, nursing, and horsemanship skills. Advanced skills in intravenous catheter placement, venipuncture, patient monitoring, medication administration, and operation of diagnostic and monitoring equipment.
Work Environment
The work environment described here reflects the conditions employees may encounter while performing essential job functions. This role regularly involves indoor and outdoor work in all seasons and requires interaction with critically ill, injured, and infectious patients. Employees may be exposed to radiation, biological hazards, chemicals, anesthetic gases, and moving mechanical equipment. Knowledge of MSDS, safe handling procedures, biosecurity protocols, and personal protective equipment is required. The typical noise level is moderate to high depending on patient activity and emergency caseload.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities. This position requires prolonged standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and handling of equine patients. Employees must be able to safely restrain horses, assist with emergency procedures, and regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Ability to work extended shifts and respond effectively during emergencies is required.
