Veterinary Careers at NCVEC

Reports to: Practice Owner or Practice Manager

The emergency veterinarian works with the leadership team to define and implement practice medical policies and procedures that ensure quality patient care. They deliver medical and surgical care to patients. The emergency veterinarian plays a key role in building and maintaining client relationships as well as staff relationships. He/she may assist in supervising staff members in their daily medical duties when a leadership team member is not in the practice to oversee this important function.

Education and Licensure Requirements

• V.M. licensed
• E.A. licensed

Experience Requirements

• Experience as a D.V.M. in a practice is desirable, but not required.

Personal Requirements

• Significant continuing education achievements, beyond licensing requirements.
• Ability to recognize that teamwork is essential for a quality practice; ability to work as a team member as well as a doctor.
• Willingness to work extra hours when needed.
  • Display tact and diplomacy with staff members and clients.
  • Perform basic computer skills.
• Physical Effort: Work requires lifting and carrying animals (will be assisted by other staff members in lifting animals over 40 lbs).  Walks or stands for extended periods of time; frequently works in a bent position.
• Working conditions: May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises and animal feces. May be exposed to bites, scratches and contagious diseases.
• Provides compassionate care to patients.
• Works with the leadership team to set practice medical policies and procedures; performs all duties in accordance with them.
• Plans and carries out a significant program of personal medical continuing education.
• Works with the leadership team on plans for developing and growing the business.
• Is active in professional organizations and community activities.
• Communicates objectives, motivates staff, builds and maintains morale; maintains core values and standards.
• Helps to develop new programs and processes that meet clients’ changing needs.
• Sets an example for the staff in dealing with clients; promotes the concept of the client-centered environment.
• Delivers in-house medical training to the support staff when asked to do so.
• Works toward and attains practice productivity standards.
• Promotes a cooperative working environment among staff members; understands the value of teamwork; shows enthusiasm and willingness to perform as necessary to help the practice function as a unit.
• Maintains positive, cooperative relationships with other employees.
• Performs physical examinations using preliminary data provided by the veterinary technicians; diagnoses physical condition and presents diagnostic and treatment alternatives to the client while being sensitive to their emotional as well financial needs.
• Performs emergency medical and surgical procedures in accordance with hospital standards of care.
• Interprets the results of laboratory procedures and determines the appropriate protocol based on the results; reads radiographs and interprets ECGs.
• Prescribes medications in accordance with manufacturer's label instructions and uses. Understands common side-effects and common drug interactions with other medications.
• Promptly, accurately and legibly updates client records in support of the SOAP reporting method.
• Understands and carries out treatment orders from other veterinarians; makes necessary changes in treatment plan when diagnostic results support the decision to do so.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Reports to: Practice Manager or Location Manager

The veterinary technician is the veterinarian’s primary medical support. They begin the examination procedure and continue to assist the doctor throughout the examination, diagnosis and treatment phases. They aid the veterinarians in achieving greater efficiency by relieving them of technical work and administrative detail. They have a very significant role in communicating with and educating clients about their pets.

Education and Licensure Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Veterinary Technician Certification (RVT) desirable but not required.
• Previous on-the-job training desirable when not a RVT.

Experience Requirements

• Experience as veterinary technician or assistant, desirable but not required.

Personal Requirements

• Minimum of 18 years old.
• Genuinely enjoys working with animals and is able to deal with them even when they are stressed, ill or in pain.
• Can stay calm and efficient during a medical crisis.
• Is well-spoken and approaches his/her job duties in a mature manner.
• Is experienced in the teamwork approach and works well with all levels of hospital team members.
• Has excellent client communication skills.
• Physical Effort: Work requires lifting and carrying animals (will be assisted by other staff members in lifting animals over 40 lbs).  Walks or stands for extended periods of time; frequently works in a bent position.
• Working conditions: May be exposed to unpleasant odors, noises and animal feces. May be exposed to bites, scratches and contagious diseases.
• Can provide compassionate care to patients and clients.
• Can conduct oneself in a confident and professional manner even when stressed and/or focused on individual tasks.
• Can keep accurate medical records in accordance with hospital policy.
• Can prepare and maintain the exam rooms and treatment areas.
• Can perform physical assessments; record observations by computer.
• Can effectively restrain pets even when they are large or difficult.
• Understands the importance of a clean and orderly facility, does not hesitate to clean or organize as part of a normal job duty.
• Maintains positive, cooperative relationships with other employees.
• Gives SQ, IM and IV injections.
• Can handle client’s medical questions with confidence and direct to veterinarians when appropriate.
• Can prepare estimates for procedures and discuss financial commitments with clients supporting hospital financial policies.
• Can explain necessary follow-up and homecare instructions.
• Understands usage, dosage, and common side-effects for commonly used prescription drugs and can readily explain them to the clients.
• Can assist the veterinarian in medical and surgical procedures; prepares patients for surgery; administers anesthesia; monitors patients during surgery and recovery; administers fluid therapy.
• Can properly care for all surgical materials; keep the operating room properly stocked and prepared for surgery.
• Can perform emergency procedures such as control of bleeding, resuscitation with oxygen, endotracheal tube placement, and external cardiac massage.
• Can perform clinical laboratory procedures such as fecal flotation exams, heartworm checks, skin scrapings, urinalysis, and fungal cultures; draws blood for laboratory analysis; reports lab test results to veterinarians and ensures that test results are recorded in patient records.
• Can effectively position for and take radiographs.
• Can perform electrocardiograms.
• Can place IV catheters and properly care for them. Understands the use and care of IV pumps as well.
• Knows common disease states and can alert veterinarians when symptoms change or when concerns arise with hospitalized patients.
• Can prepare a patient and the machine for an ultrasound procedure.
• Can admit patients following hospital policy.
• Can discharge patients based on the veterinarian’s orders, ensuring that patients are in a medically appropriate state.

Our Externships Position You for Future Success

At NCVEC, externs are mentored by their future colleagues and become an integral part of our practice. The externship experience is individually tailored to each student and your schools requirements. You will truly become immersed into a continuous learning environment, enhancing your veterinary knowledge and skills daily.

Externship: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Students

You will be working under the direct supervision of our veterinarians. Some of the primary tasks you’ll be expected to perform include:

• Gathering patients’ medical histories
• Performing nose to tail physical exams
• Formulating and implementing diagnostic and therapeutic care plans
• Using cutting edge tools and technology
• Scrubbing into surgery
• Helping your supervising DVM manage medical cases
• Sharpening your client communication skills
• Fine-tuning your clinical and technical skills

Requirements

To apply for an externship, you must be:

• Enrolled in an accredited doctor of veterinary medicine program
• Authorized to work in the United States
• Available to work days, evenings, and weekends
• Must carry professional liability insurance

**This can be done through your school or AVMA**

For program placement, applicants must participate in the application, selection, and onboarding process. 

**Housing is available on a limited basis**

Externship: Veterinary Technology Students

You will be working under the direct supervision of our veterinarians/ technical team members as a veterinary assistant.  Some of the primary tasks you’ll be expected to perform include:

• Gathering patients’ medical histories
• Sharpening your client communication skills
• Fine-tuning your technical skills
• Using diagnostic tools and effectively analyzing and interpreting various diagnostic materials (lab tests, X-rays, etc.)
• Learning how to prepare for surgical procedures and monitor patients that are under anesthesia
• Providing the appropriate care to patients

Requirements

For eligibility, applicants must be:

• Enrolled in an AVMA/CVTEA accredited Veterinary Technology program
• Authorized to work in the United States
• Available to work days, evenings, and weekends

For program placement, applicants must participate in the application, selection, and onboarding process. 

Get a Head Start on Your Goals

Emergency and critical care medicine can be challenging yet so rewarding! Our Veterinarians at NCVEC are passionate, team-minded, dedicated, and strive for excellence in every case they see. Our proven process, The NCVEC Way, ensures that each pet and pet parent receives individual attention and thorough communication. Our modern hospitals are outfitted with current equipment, in-house diagnostics, and an amazing, compassionate staff to help ensure that all of our patients receive the very best care. We can’t wait to share our exceptional brand of medicine with you. 

Summer Apprenticeship

You will be working under the direct supervision of our veterinarians/ technical team members as a veterinary assistant. Your main duties will include:

• Providing the appropriate care to patients
• Using diagnostic tools and effectively analyzing and interpreting various diagnostic materials (lab tests, X-rays, etc.)
• Learning how to prepare for surgical procedures and monitor patients that are under anesthesia
• Improving your interpersonal communication skills with training

Requirements

• Authorized to work in the United States
• Available for a 6 to 10-week period during summer break and committed to a flexible schedule (32-40 hours a week) including evenings and weekends

For program placement, applicants must participate in the application, selection, and onboarding process.