Veterinary Anesthesia Recovery Technician

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

5d•$18 - $25

About The Position

The Veterinary Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Technician is responsible for providing attentive, compassionate care to patients recovering from anesthesia. Working within the Anesthesia department, this role focuses on monitoring vital signs, managing pain, recognizing and responding to complications, and ensuring patient safety throughout recovery. The technician communicates effectively with hospital services to facilitate smooth patient transfers or discharge and maintains a clean, organized recovery environment. This full-time, benefited position is considered essential personnel and require professionalism, teamwork, and ongoing commitment to learning and quality patient care. This is a full-time, benefited position and is considered essential personnel. A post-offer education verification, background check, and health assessment are required. The PACU technician is responsible for providing safe, attentive care to patients recovering from anesthesia. This includes monitoring vital signs, managing pain, and preparing patients for transfer back to their service or for discharge. The technician must be observant, proactive, and able to work independently while knowing when to seek assistance. Patient safety and comfort are priorities, with efforts made to reduce fear, stress, and anxiety during recovery.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and one-year relevant experience.
Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Nice To Haves

Credentialed veterinary technician CVT/LVT/RVT) preferred.
Valid Veterinary Technician License (RVT, LVT, CVA, CVT)
Proficiency in intubation and extubating techniques.
Expertise in pain assessment protocols (e.g., Glasgow Composite Pain Scale).
Experience with advanced anesthetic monitoring equipment (e.g., capnography).

Responsibilities

Anesthetic Recovery - Monitor patients closely through their anesthetic recovery until extubated, normothermic, fully conscious, and ambulatory.
Monitoring Vitals - Track temperature, heart rate, and respiration; use advanced monitoring equipment as needed.
Pain Management - Administer prescribed sedation and analgesics via approved routes as directed by a veterinarian.
Emergency Response - Identify and respond quickly to complications such as respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, or hypothermia.
Patient Care - Maintain clean bedding, perform catheter care, and check surgical sites for hemorrhage or complications.