Article Release: Issue 11
Release Date: October 2, 2024
Written By: Alyssa Rodriguez, Nicole Volpe, and David Rivera

Our mission to save animal lives would not be possible without the unmatched hard work, dedication, and expertise of our licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs). From the prep table to the operating room and through to recovery, our technicians ensure the safety of our patients, support our doctors, and educate families about the care their pets need.

In honor of National Veterinary Technician Week, from October 13-19, we are celebrating their invaluable contributions early and giving you an inside look at what a day in the life of a veterinary technician is like.

Nicole Volpe, LVT: The Night Shift

What I Do as an Overnight Technician

An overnight shift starts with patient rounds, where the team thoroughly discusses each patient’s condition and needs. We go over a patient’s history upon admission to the hospital, the procedure they underwent, the expected recovery timeline, and the care plan for the next 12-24 hours.

After rounds, I like to visit each pet with my notes and treatment sheet in hand to do an initial check. I look for any alerts on their cages, assess their IV catheter, note their mentation, check their incision, and address anything specific mentioned during rounds. It’s essential to ensure each patient has everything they need.

Throughout the night, we take full vitals, including temperature, heart rate, respiration, and gum color, every 4-8 hours, depending on the patient’s needs. Critical patients may require EKG readings, blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose checks, or oxygen level assessments. Walks, cage cleaning, and feedings occur every 6-8 hours, allowing us to monitor their movements, incisions, and neurological status. Some patients require recheck lab work, radiographs, or laser therapy throughout the night.

Between patient care, there’s housekeeping—laundry, stocking, cleaning, and organizing. Overnight is a time to reset the hospital and get it ready for the next day.

The phones are always on overnight, and I, along with the overnight doctor, answer questions, address potential issues, speak with other emergency hospitals, and give updates on patients. Detailed notes and updates are kept throughout the shift for the staff coming in the next day. In the morning, we round again and notify the daytime team of any changes or updates from the overnight. This is also a time to collaborate thoughts and discussion about the pet’s plan for the next 12-24 hours or a plan to go home.

 

The Best Part of My Job

My favorite part of my job is nursing care. Helping an animal recover from surgery is incredibly rewarding, as it is the time after surgery that is most critical. I get to personalize the care of each patient, connect with their families, and provide comfort to them during such a critical time. The night shift offers a great opportunity to spend extra time with the patients and their care. It is the time where you see the most improvement in a patient’s condition, and it gives instant gratification and validation of the importance of your role as a technician.

My attention to detail regarding a patient’s needs and altering a doctor to any concerns is paramount to a successful recovery. While no position is ever unimportant, the night of a surgical procedure is essential. It allows me to use all my knowledge, skill, attentiveness, and experience at every turn.

Working at ASC has been the most gratifying experience of my career because everything I came into this field for is what ASC stands for and lives for every day. We can be assured as the veterinary staff that each patient is cared for with gold standard medicine and top-notch nursing care no matter what it will cost. The pet parents can be assured their pet will be cared for at full potential even if they cannot pay for it. We make it work. Because at the end of the day, the patient’s needs come first, the pet parent’s needs comes first, and the staff’s needs come first.

David Rivera, LVT: A Triple Threat—LVT, Surgical Coordinator, and Dog Dad

I have been a licensed veterinary technician for 24 years. After spending my first 23 years in general practice it was time for a change which brought me to ASC. Here at ASC I have two roles – a prep technician and surgical coordinator.

Preparing a Patient for Surgery

As a prep tech, my day starts with ensuring the surgical suites are clean, stocked, and prepped for the day’s surgeries. I check patient monitoring equipment, test the anesthesia machines, and turn on heated tables to keep our patients warm during surgery.

When surgical patients begin arriving, my team and I ensure all pre-op blood work is completed, PRP samples are collected and processed, IV catheters are placed, and patients are started on fluids.

When preparing a patient for surgery, I double-check that all medications are accurate and ready. Once prepped, I administer pre-anesthetics and sedatives, intubate the patient, and place them under general anesthesia. I monitor their vitals, prepare the surgical site, and assist in positioning the patient in the OR before switching out with the surgery tech.

Throughout the day, I perform blood draws, assist doctors with consultations, take radiographs, and perform CT scans. When there’s downtime, I take my little buddy Bronx, who comes to work with me daily, for a quick bathroom break and belly rub.

Running the Show as Surgical Coordinator

On days when I act as Surgical Coordinator, my day is a bit different. I start my morning by reviewing the appointment calendar and patient’s medical records before imputing that information into our patient board. I check to see that each patient has normal blood work, what medications they are on or if they have any specific conditions that would require adjustments to our typical drug or anesthesia protocol based on their medical history or unique breed. I highlight any radiographs, particular tests or samples, specific requests from an owner, or notes made by the surgeon to look out for and complete. Reviewing this information with the surgeon is the final step before the prep tech is able to proceed with a patient.

As each surgery is completed and all the injectable medications are drawn up for the next animal, the routine continues until every patient has made it through their procedure into recovery and is prepped for discharge or a comfortable overnight stay if necessary due to the complexity of their surgery. Being the surgical coordinator requires good time management, which would not be possible without the knowledge I have as a veterinary technician. Knowing what each surgical procedure entails and what they require is crucial. Being prepared for any complications that could occur during and after surgery without that would make it impossible to keep the day flowing efficiently.

Living My Dream Job

I absolutely love my job. For me, this isn’t work—helping our four-legged family members live healthier lives is what I’ve always wanted to do. Working at Animal Surgical Center has reignited my passion for veterinary medicine, allowing me to let my skills shine in new ways.

If I am ever asked what my dream job would be, my answer is simple – I am living it.
Working at Animal Surgical Center has allowed me to experience a different side of veterinary medicine as well as the opportunity to let my skills shine in brand new ways.

After working in general practice for so many years, I was stuck in a boring routine. Being here at Animal Surgical Center has reignited that spark in me and reminded me why I became a veterinary technician in the first place. To be a part of helping the patients and their families through the surgery process and having a role in helping a furry friend find its forever home through all the work we do with rescue organizations is amazing. I am so happy my journey has brought me here to ASC.

Honoring Our Veterinary Technicians Who Are The Backbone of ASC

At Animal Surgical Center, our veterinary technicians are the heart and soul of our practice. Their dedication, skill, and compassion ensure that every pet receives the highest level of care, from the operating room to recovery and beyond.

Whether it’s comforting a pet during a difficult moment or providing expert assistance during complex surgeries, our techs are invaluable to the success of our team. We are proud to celebrate their hard work and commitment, not just during National Veterinary Technician Week, but every single day. Their passion for animal care is what makes ASC a place of healing, comfort, and excellence.

With Compassion and Care,
Alyssa Rodriguez, Nicole Volpe, and David Rivera
Animal Surgical Center