Surgical Instrument Veterinary Assistant (SIVA) - IR/IE

The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC), located in the heart of New York City, seeks a Surgical Instrument Veterinary Assistant (SIVA) in Interventional Radiology. This is a rare opportunity to join the world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital and take your career to the next level.

Veterinary assistants play a vital role at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. They work alongside our veterinarians and veterinary technicians to provide comfort and care for all our patients. Our veterinary assistants help during patient exams, blood sampling, catheter placement, and assist in running point of care laboratory tests. Our veterinary assistants also take radiographs, assist in ultrasound, and even help prepare surgical instruments and operating room set up. Veterinary assistants can take advantage of our career ladder to learn and grow into advanced positions like surgical instrument assistants and patient care assistants. We also offer tuition assistance to employees wanting to continue their educational goals and the ability to earn externship hours for accredited veterinary technology programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of two years veterinary assistant experience in a Veterinary Specialty Hospital
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, demanding environment, demonstrating the ability to handle multiple tasks with competing deadlines while paying attention to
• Ability to work independently and use initiative but also able to work as part of a
• Must be experienced and proficient in handling, a clear communicator and efficient in the supportive Veterinary assistant role during
• Must be proficient in handling sensitive instruments and
• Must be able to work well and be composed in stressful
• Must be able to follow detailed protocols & SOPs
• Must be organized and able to complete documentation in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) .
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, respectful working relationships and customer satisfaction with all stakeholders, including department staff, medical staff, support staff, clients, and referring veterinarians
• Must be flexible with work hours, based on patient and department needs
• Must have ability to remain composed in stressful and emergency situations
• Ability to lift and restrain animals weighing up to 50

Education:

• Associates degree or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Certifications/License:

• ICT, ICVT or CRT- AART
• Bachelor’s degree preferred (license must be in good standing)

Experience:

• Minimum of two years veterinary assistant experience in a Veterinary Specialty Hospital

Duties and responsibilities

• Restrain patients for examinations, IV catheter placement, blood draws etc
• Infection control: cleaning and disinfecting of work areas, instruments, equipment, OR and
• Place internal & special orders as needed
• Perform quality checks, inventory assessment and stocking as needed
• Work with LVT to complete anesthesia machine maintenance checklist twice weekly
• Set up for surgical and non-surgical procedures, with the ability to respond rapid changes efficiently
• Assist doctors during procedures (as needed by DVM, within the parameters of the law).
• Clean equipment after procedures and turn over room in preparation for next procedure
• Clean/sterilize and maintain surgical equipment; Coordinate and work with the surgical
• Clean workspace at the end of the day: take out trash and recyclables, replace sharp containers
• Maintain supply of clean laundry, dirty laundry to housekeeping as needed

Interventional Radiology SIVA Duties in particular:

• Collaboration and Training
• Maintaining inventory, restocking
• Coordinate between departments for the use of equipment and room availability.
• Knowledge of ultrasound.
• Assisting with Tools and Instruments
• Documentation: Ensure that accurate records of the procedure
• Radiation Safety: Ensure that radiation safety protocols are strictly followed to protect both patients and staff from unnecessary exposure
• Infection Control: Follow all infection control guidelines to prevent contamination and infection during procedures.
• Regulatory Compliance: Adhere to healthcare regulations, hospital policies, and best practices, ensuring all procedures are performed safely and legally
• Collaboration: Work closely with interventional radiologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure seamless procedure flow and patient safety.
• Communication: Clearly communicate any changes in patient condition, equipment issues, or procedural concerns to the team.
• Problem Solving: Be prepared to troubleshoot equipment malfunctions or issues, ensuring minimal delays in the procedure.
• Maintenance: Regularly check and maintain equipment, scheduling maintenance or repairs as necessary.
• Keeping Up with Advancements: Stay updated on the latest techniques in interventional radiology and imaging technologies.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Competitive salary
• Generous sign-on bonus $1,000
• Generous paid time off
• Tuition assistance
• 50% discount on veterinary care
• 403b matching
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• You may be eligible for The Public Loan Service Forgiveness Program as we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit employer

Excellence in veterinary medicine since 1910. AMC Offers:  

A Commitment to Lifelong Learning: Founded in 1910, the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center is the world’s largest veterinary teaching hospital, offering compassionate, collaborative, and cutting-edge veterinary care. Our commitment to innovation has led to the creation of one of the most advanced veterinary facilities in the world. 

State-of-the-Art Facilities: AMC is currently undergoing a major expansion and renovation. Once complete, this project will transform the hospital’s entire 83,000-square-foot space into a state-of-the-art facility unlike any other.  

Highlights include: A brand-new full floor surgical center, 1.5 Tesla Philips MRI (the exclusive high field MRI for small animals in NYC), 64-slice spiral CT scanner, Electroencephalography (EEG), Elekta Versa HD Linear Accelerator, In-house Laboratory, Ultrasound, Echocardiogram, and Mobile Cone Beam CT 

A multidisciplinary team of 140+ veterinarians across 20+ specialties: With over 20 specialties and services under one roof, our departments frequently work together to deliver the highest quality of patient care in the veterinary field. Our dynamic array of specialists means that we are the go-to place for complex cases. 

A Hospital in the heart of NYC: AMC is located in Manhattan, surrounded by leading research and teaching institutions such as Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical School, and NYU. Collaborative research opportunities abound, and our strong focus on education ensures a rewarding career for those passionate about mentoring and advancing veterinary medicine.