Veterinary Care Generalist - Clinical Trials Oncology Service

Veterinary Teaching Hospital Job Summary

The Veterinary Care Generalist in the Clinical Trials Oncology Service will provide technical and paramedical support and nursing care for patients under the general direction of faculty clinicians and higher‑level technicians in a courteous and professional manner, and may be asked to assist in other areas of the hospital. During this time the Veterinary Technician will begin to have exposure to the day‑to‑day activities involved in running clinical trials.

Due to the teaching emphasis of the hospital, the Veterinary Technician may be responsible for assisting in the training of veterinary students, veterinary technician students, and others in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in veterinary oncology.

• Learn to provide standard paramedical support and nursing care
• Assist clinicians, staff and students in conducting physical examinations, handling animals, and updating clinical records
• Coordinate diagnostics needed for patients, including radiographs, biopsies, ultrasounds, blood work, estimate forms and client consent forms
• Prepare patients for procedures under the direction of clinician
• Collect blood, urine and other samples and prepare samples for analysis
• Administer and dispense medication, fluids, etc., to oncology clinical trial patients under the direction of oncology clinical trial veterinarians
• Assist with various oncology clinical trial procedures including fine‑needle aspirates, bone marrow biopsy/aspirate, tru‑cut biopsies, and minor surgical procedures such as mass excisions
• Obtain ECGs, place IV catheters and male urinary catheters, and restrain patients
• Identify when to remove and apply bandages and other basic procedures needed for oncology clinical trial patients
• Monitor vitals, food consumption, urinary and bowel output, etc., noting any irregularities
• Recognize, report, and act on emergency conditions
• Collect bacterial and fungal samples from patients within the oncology clinical trial service
• Learn to prepare and administer anti‑neoplastic agents under the direction of oncology clinical trial veterinarians and senior oncology technicians
• Learn to understand workflow and daily operations of clinical trial service
• Learn to conduct clinical trial activities under the supervision of senior clinical trials technician and veterinarians
• Learn to record data in patient notebooks
• Learn to read and interpret clinical trial protocols including eligibility criteria and treatment plans
• Receive and answer questions via phone from current clients with concerns about their pet
• Place compounded drug orders with outside pharmacy when needed
• Assist in training of veterinary students and veterinary technician students
• Learn to set up, clean and maintain patient and drug records, procedural areas, and exam rooms
• Enter clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment in records of clinical trial patients under direction of oncology clinical trial veterinarians
• Operate, clean, and provide routine maintenance of equipment used within the oncology service; such equipment includes refractometers, clippers, ECGs, anesthesia machines, and microscopes
• Clean, supply, and maintain the oncology treatment and exam areas including laundry and general stocking
• To perform other duties as assigned

An environment of stress may be anticipated. The person in this position must be capable of reliably functioning in such an area. The amount of physical exertion will vary with assignments. For example, the assistant may be lifting a 40 lb. dog on and off an examination table. The handling of any animal presents some element of risk or injury. Some strength and considerable caution are required when working with animals during diagnostic or surgical procedures.

To some degree, unpleasantness may be experienced under such conditions. This position entails operating equipment, administering medications, and restraining animals of various species for examination. Exposure to anesthetic agents may present a potential hazard. An ability to work in the presence of animal waste and fluids, syringes, needles, and medications are potentially dangerous and must…