Job Overview
Join our dynamic veterinary team as a Veterinary Radiation Oncology Technician, where your expertise will directly contribute to advanced cancer treatments for our beloved animal patients. In this vital role, you will assist in delivering precise radiation therapy, ensuring optimal care and comfort for pets undergoing treatment. Your energetic and detail-oriented approach will help create a positive environment for both animals and their owners, supporting our mission to provide compassionate, cutting-edge veterinary care. This position offers an exciting opportunity to develop specialized skills in veterinary radiation oncology while working alongside a dedicated team of professionals.
Position Overview:
The Radiation Oncology Technician is responsible for providing high-quality nursing and technical support to the Radiation Oncology service, with a strong emphasis on safe, efficient anesthesia for radiation therapy patients. This role ensures seamless patient flow, accurate treatment delivery support, and adherence to NorthStar VETS’ C-PETS values.
The ideal candidate demonstrates advanced anesthesia proficiency, strong attention to detail, and the ability to function independently in a fast-paced specialty environment.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Radiation Oncology Support
- Prepare patients for radiation therapy including positioning, immobilization, and treatment setup
- Assist radiation oncologist and therapist during simulation and treatment procedures
- Maintain accurate and thorough medical records in the EMR
- Ensure radiation safety protocols are followed at all times
- Coordinate daily treatment schedules to maintain efficient patient flow
- Perform patient assessments pre- and post-treatment
- Provide client communication and education as directed
2. Anesthesia & Sedation (Primary Function)
- Independently induce, maintain, and recover anesthesia for radiation therapy patient
- Develop and implement anesthesia plans under veterinarian direction
- Calculate and administer anesthetic and adjunct medications accurately
- Monitor patients using appropriate equipment (ECG, capnography, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature)
- Recognize and respond promptly to anesthetic complications
- Maintain detailed anesthesia records
- Ensure smooth and timely patient recovery and handoff
3. Patient Care & Nursing
- Perform venipuncture and catheter placement
- Administer medications, fluids, and treatments as prescribed
- Maintain excellent patient comfort and low-stress handling techniques
- Assist with diagnostics as needed (bloodwork, imaging coordination, etc.)
- Maintain treatment area cleanliness and organization
4. Operational Excellence
- Support on-time case starts and efficient workflow
- Maintain anesthesia equipment and perform routine machine checks
- Communicate effectively with doctors, therapists, and nursing teams
- Help with Administrative duties as needed by the department
- Participate in department and hospital initiatives
- Strong attention to detail
C-PETS Behavioral Expectations
The Radiation Oncology Technician will consistently demonstrate:
- Compassion: Provides gentle, patient-centered care during repeated treatments
- Professionalism: Maintains accuracy, preparedness, and accountability
- Excellence: Demonstrates strong anesthesia competency and attention to detail
- Teamwork: Collaborates across Radiation, Surgery, ER, and ICU teams
- Service: Supports a positive client and team experience
Qualifications
Required
· Veterinary Technician experience in specialty or ER setting
· Demonstrated anesthesia proficiency (induction through recovery)
· Strong patient monitoring skills
· Ability to work independently in anesthesia
· Excellent organizational and communication skills
· Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Preferred
- LVT/RVT/CVT strongly preferred
- Prior Radiation Oncology experience
- Advanced anesthesia experience in specialty medicine
- CT experience
- VTS (Anesthesia/Analgesia or Oncology) — highly desirable
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and restrain patients up to 50 lbs (with assistance for larger patients)
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (8-12 hour shifts)
- Ability to work in a radiation-controlled environment following safety protocols
Mobility & Physical Activity
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (8–12 hour shifts)
- Frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching during patient positioning and treatment setup
- Ability to move quickly between treatment rooms, prep areas, and wards as patient care needs arise
- Ability to ascend and descend stairs if applicable to facility layout
Lifting & Handling
- Ability to lift and carry up to 40–50 pounds independently
- Ability to assist with lifting or repositioning patients up to 100+ pounds with team assistance or mechanical aids
- Frequent lifting of anesthesia equipment, positioning devices, and shielding materials
- Safe patient transfers to and from treatment tables, stretchers, and cages
Manual Dexterity
- Fine motor skills required for:
- Handling delicate radiation therapy positioning devices
- Administering medications and anesthesia support
- Placing IV catheters and monitoring equipment
- Operating radiation therapy control interfaces and safety locks
- Ability to manipulate small tools and equipment with precision while wearing PPE
Visual Requirements
- Ability to maintain visual acuity sufficient to:
- Read monitors, treatment plans, and dose parameters
- Observe patient positioning and subtle changes in condition
- Interpret anesthesia and monitoring equipment
- Ability to work in both low-light treatment environments and brightly lit clinical spaces
Environmental Exposure
- Frequent exposure to:
- Ionizing radiation (with required safety training and dosimetry monitoring)
- Anesthetic gases
- Bodily fluids (blood, urine, feces, saliva)
- Cleaning agents and disinfectants
- Required use of PPE including:
- Lead shielding and radiation monitoring badges
- Gloves, masks, eye protection, and gowns as indicated
Patient Handling Risks
- Risk of injury from frightened or painful animals including:
- Bites and scratches
- Sudden movements during positioning or recovery
- Ability to safely restrain patients using low-stress handling techniques
Endurance & Work Pace
- Ability to maintain focus and precision during repetitive treatment workflows
- Ability to manage physically and emotionally demanding cases, including oncology patients with complex needs
- Ability to respond quickly to anesthesia or patient emergencies
Other Physical Considerations
- Ability to wear radiation safety equipment and PPE for extended periods
- Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of mask use and controlled-access environments
- May require on-call, extended shifts, or schedule flexibility depending on caseload
NorthStar VETS and PASE are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all team members are treated with respect and dignity. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. We are dedicated to fostering an environment of professionalism, collaboration, and compassion in support of our patients, clients, and team members.
Pay: $28.00 - $36.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Continuing education credits
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- License reimbursement
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Uniform allowance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
