Our OVERVIEW Kristine Suszczynski

Emergency and Critical Care Case Spotlight: Treatment of Smoke Inhalation with High Flow Nasal Oxygen

 

Willow is a 3 year old FI Lab Mix who was admitted to our emergency service after being trapped in a housefire. She was found by a Portland firefighter (from the Munjoy Hill Fire Station) who administer oxygen on site prior to transportation. On presentation she was dyspneic, covered in soot, and had harsh lung sounds on thoracic auscultation.

Intranasal catheters were placed for oxygen administration. Bloodwork showed hypophosphatemia (1.6 mg/dL – suspect secondary to hyperventilation), a mild elevation in ALT (356 U/L), and GGT (16 U/L). Both cornea showed evidence of superficial corneal ulceration, and Willow was coughing up black soot material.

Her owners opted to admit Willow on high-flow oxygen via the intranasal catheters. During her hospitalization Willow also received IV sedation (as needed), IV unasyn, IV fluids, and albuterol inhalant treatment. Willow was hospitalized for a total of 7 days, 6 of which were on high flow oxygen.

After a long 6 days of fighting, Willow was discharged to her owners having been off of high flow oxygen for 24 hours. Her owners and the Portland firefighters involved in her rescue arrived to our Warren Ave location to cheer her on as she was discharged from the PVESC Emergency/Critical Care service. As of this publication Willow has continued to improve at home, and we are so happy for her continued recovery.

Clinically relevant facts:

  • The pathophysiology of smoke inhalation is multifactorial. The progression of clinical signs and prognosis differ depending on present respiratory irritants, thermal heat exposure, particulate matter size, and systemic toxins.
  • Thermal heat damage more commonly impacts the upper airway mucosa, leaving dogs vulnerable to upper respiratory infections (chronically). Dogs with prolonged/high heat exposure causing lower airway thermal damage carry a more guarded prognosis as they are prone to edema-driven upper airway obstruction.
  • Carbon monoxide exacerbates the clinical signs, if present, in smoke inhalation cases. It is rapidly absorbed across the alveolar membrane and has 200-250 x greater affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen. This left shift of the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve causes a secondary cellular hypoxia. Administration of oxygen by first responders is imperative to accelerate the elimination of carbon monoxide and support arterial oxygenation.
  • High flow nasal oxygen delivers more concentrated oxygen than traditional oxygen, and allows many patients to avoid the need for mechanical ventilation.

Authored by: Dr. O’Brien, DVM, DACVECC, Emergency and Dr. Landry, DVM, DACVIM, Neurology

Internal Medicine Case Spotlight: Canine Sinonasal Aspergillosis

 

Pearl is a 6.5 yr old spayed female Boxer that was transferred to our Internal Medicine Service (Dr. Adam Shoelson DVM, DACVIM) after being admitted to the hospital through the Emergency Service for severe, unilateral epistaxis and collapse. Chronic nasal signs (purulent-appearing nasal discharge, epistaxis, sneezing) had previously been longstanding in nature. Five months earlier she had been diagnosed with and treated for chronic bacterial rhinitis after an extensive, advanced diagnostic work-up performed by another specialty clinic. She failed to improve with this rhinitis therapy. Her signs appeared to be refractory to antimicrobial therapy. 

Previously visualized destructive nasal changes noted on her initial CT scan raised doubt about her chronic rhinitis diagnosis. It was decided that advanced diagnostics should be repeated. Pearl received a packed red blood cell transfusion due to clinically significant anemia that had developed secondary to her epistaxis. A CT scan of Pearl’s head showed severe destructive changes to the left nasal cavity. Fluid or material was noted in her left frontal sinus (Figure 1). Rhinoscopy confirmed the destructive changes and also permitted visualization of fairly extensive fungal plaques in the nasal cavity and frontal sinus (Figure 2). Histopathology from nasal biopsies revealed intralesional fungal hyphal mats and pleocellular inflammation (Figure 3). Aspergillus was confirmed on fungal culture and antibody testing (aspergillosis immunodiffusion). Fungal debridement was performed to remove visualized plaques (Figure 4). An initial dose of topical, 1% intranasal clotrimazole cream was instilled. Pearl was started on oral itraconazole (5 mg/kg PO once daily). 

Unfortunately, Pearl represented for severe epistaxis and collapse several days later. A second packed red blood cell transfusion was administered. Due to concerns for intractable epistaxis caused by fungal damage to local vasculature, surgical left carotid artery ligation was performed. The Surgery Article of the Month can be referenced for additional information on this procedure. 

Pearl’s epistaxis resolved following her carotid artery ligation. This procedure allowed the Internal Medicine Service to move forward, freely, with numerous subsequent rhinoscopic evaluations and clotrimazole infusions. Given Pearl’s extensive fungal load, seven rhinoscopic debridement procedures/clotrimazole infusions were performed in total. Pearl has remained on itraconazole since her diagnosis. Her most recent rhinoscopy was performed in October 2023. No fungal plaques were appreciated, though Pearl did still have severe nasal turbinate destruction. Furthermore, light pink, friable polyps were noted in the left nasal cavity (Figure 5). Biopsy of these structures confirmed the presence of inflammatory polyps, changes likely being driven by inflammation caused by her previous fungal infection. A repeat fungal culture was negative. As Pearl has tolerated her itraconazole from a biochemical perspective (diligent monitoring of her liver enzymes has been performed), we have elected to continue this indefinitely over concerns for possible fungal disease relapse. 

Her owner reports she is feeling great at home and is loving life as of this publication date.

Clinically relevant facts:

  • Fungal rhinitis, though often a diagnostic challenge, should be considered as a differential for chronic sneezing, nasal discharge, and epistaxis in Maine, especially if destructive changes and frontal sinus material are noted with CT/rhinoscopy. The diagnosis of sinonasal Aspergillosis should, ideally, be confirmed with fungal culture or antibody testing (Aspergillus antibody immunodiffusion). 
  • As a rule of thumb, unilateral epistaxis is generally more concerning for focal disease (neoplasia, fungal disease, nasal foreign material). Bilateral epistaxis/discharge is concerning for more generalized disease like chronic rhinitis. Characteristic destructive CT changes should increase the index of suspicion for fungal disease or neoplasia dramatically. 
  • Sinonasal Aspergillosis treatment typically involves a combination of fungal plaque debridement (facilitated by rhinoscopy and/or sinus trephination), topical therapy (clotrimazole), and administration of systemic antifungal medications (often in very long-term fashion). Treatment can become very expensive depending on the number of anesthetized procedures required and the type of oral antifungal recommended. A need for blood transfusions and/or carotid artery ligation further increases cost. 
  • Though generally unnecessary, carotid artery ligation should be considered as a life-saving surgical intervention for cases that present with intractable epistaxis. 
  • Generally speaking, the prognosis for localized sinonasal Aspergillosis is fair, though the treatment can be long, highly involved, and expensive. In cases where there is intracranial involvement or systemic disease, the prognosis is guarded to poor. 

Figure 1: A head CT scan demonstrating severe left-sided nasal turbinate destruction and material within the left frontal sinus.

Figure 2: Rhinoscopic evaluation of the left nasal cavity confirmed severe destructive rhinitis. White, soft fungal plaques were also seen.

Figure 3: Histopathology of biopsies obtained from the left nasal cavity demonstrated significant pleocellular inflammation and mats of fungal hyphae.

Figure 4: Multiple rhinoscopic procedures were performed to guide debridement of fungal plaques in a minimally invasive fashion. A brown fungal plaque removed from the nasal cavity is shown.

Figure 5: The most recent rhinoscopy, performed primarily for monitoring purposes, demonstrated a nasal cavity clear of fungal plaques. However, there were light pink, friable polyp-like lesions. These were biopsied with results consistent with inflammatory polyps.

 

Authored by: Dr. Shoelson, DVM, DACVIM, Internal Medicine and Dr. Landry, DVM, DACVIM, Neurology 

 

Surgery Case Spotlight: Clinical Use of Carotid Artery Ligation

 

Pearl was a 6 year old SF Boxer transferred to our Internal Medicine (Dr. Adam Shoelson) service after being admitted for unilateral epistaxis and collapse. After a blood transfusion a nasal CT and rhinoscopy were performed, which provided the diagnosis of destructive fungal rhinitis (see the Internal Medicine article for more information on Pearl’s case).

Pearl represented to our emergency service a few days after her procedure for another episode of anemia-induced collapse. The severity of the nasal vasculature destruction was causing life threatening hemorrhage. Dr. Gianetto from our surgery service performed a unilateral left carotid artery ligation under general anesthesia.

Since then, Pearl has continued treatment for her fungal rhinitis and has had no further collapse episodes. She has continued to do great as of the publication of this article under the care of our Internal Medicine service.

Clinically relevant facts:

  • Carotid artery ligation should be considered in dogs with clinically significant oral or maxillo-facial hemorrhage, where traditional hemostatic methods are unsuccessful or unfeasible.
  • Complications for this procedure in dogs are not well documented, but in general include retinal damage and cerebral edema.
  • Anatomically dogs have sufficient arterio-arterial collateral blood supply from the vertebral arteries, and can therefore tolerate bilateral carotid artery ligation if needed.
  • Bilateral carotid artery ligation may predispose canine patients to strokes (ischemic events). No recommendations currently exist in veterinary medicine on whether anticoagulant therapies are indicated for ischemic event prevention.
  • We have provided a case report for a 3 yr MI Border Collie who underwent life-saving bilateral carotid artery ligation to address uncontrollable oral and nasal hemorrhage. These signs occurred after an episode of stick chewing. 5 days post-surgery this patient presented for peracute onset forebrain signs, and was diagnosed with a striate artery infarct via MRI. See MRI pictures from this article.

 

Authored by: Dr. Landry, DVM, DACVIM, Neurology

Neurology Case Spotlight: Cervical Hemilaminectomy

 

Mr. Smalls presented to our Neurology service for severe neck pain. He had episodes of crying out in pain and holding up his right front limb. Other than neck pain, he had no other neurological deficits on his examination at PVESC.

Cervical MRI revealed a severely lateralized foraminal disc herniation at C2-3 on the right. This was consistent with his clinical signs at home. Successful medical management was given a guarded prognosis due to the severe lateralization of the disc herniation.

Mr. Smalls was admitted for a cervical hemilaminectomy, as he had multiple recurrences of neck pain as oral prednisone was tapered. A cervical hemilaminectomy was performed by Dr. Eifler and Dr. Landry as a team, and Mr. Smalls was discharged several days later comfortable on oral medications for strict crate rest.

Mr. Smalls presented for his 6 week post-surgery recheck with a normal neurological examination off all oral medications.

The PVESC Neurology team is so happy for Mr. Smalls’ recovery, and are so thankful to have the dedicated team and quality facility to help pets with challenging neurological conditions.

T2-Weighted transverse cervical spine MRI image. There is extradural nerve root compression on the right.

The red arrow shows the small round hypointense disc material compressing the right nerve root.

The left nerve root appears normal (blue arrow).

The spinal cord is labeled with a star.

 

CLINICALLY REVELANT FACTS:

  • Cervical disc herniations that involve the nerve root carry a more guarded prognosis for medical management alone (prednisone, rest, analgesic medications)
  • A routine ventral slot surgery has little to no ability to reach disc and nerve root in the foramina
  • Cervical hemilaminectomies require longer recovery (due to the dorsal approach) and carry higher risk due to the location of the vertebral artery
  • Red oval below shows ideal surgical site margins

 

 

ABOUT PVESC NEUROLOGY

PVESC Neurology is here for you Monday – Friday for scheduled appointments, and 7 days a week for neurological emergencies. Our state-of-the-art MRI allows us to offer the gold standard care for our patients 24/7. Our goal is to continue to bring quality veterinary neurology to the state of Maine.

If you are looking to refer and quote a client for emergency advanced imaging +/- surgery, please see general guidelines below:

Bloodwork, brain MRI, +/- CSF tap – $3500 – 4000. Infectious CNS disease testing may be recommended at additional cost pending test results.
Bloodwork, spine MRI, surgical decompression, hospitalization – $7000 – 10,000.

Authored by: Dr. Landry, DVM, DACVIM, Neurology

PET ROCK IN THE PARK

PVESC is proud to support Pet Rock in the Park! Join us Sunday, August 27th, 2023, for this family-friendly event in Deering Oaks Park in Portland from 11 am – 4 pm. The stage will feature live music!. Food and pet products will be available for purchase. Proceeds support the Animal Cancer Foundation. The event is pet friendly and FREE!

Join Our Team Today!

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Speciality Care (PVESC) is a multi-speciality veterinary center. We have been serving Maine for more than thirty years. PVESC provides expert speciality and emergency care for your pet — and peace of mind for you. We work in partnership and veterinary practices throughout New England to step in when more advanced care is needed.

Our Warren Ave. location hosts our 24/7 emergency department, and the specialties of Surgery, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Cardiology, Critical Care and more. Our Congress St. location hosts our Dermatology department as well as our Medical Radio Therapeutic Department for Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Hyperthyroid Cats and Synovetin OA®. When you join our team you will be doing much more than the same routine day in and day out. Our practice is ever-growing, expanding, and evolving. Having many different specialties, you will always have the opportunity to continue to learn and grow. We have many shifts available to fit your lifestyle and you will have plenty of time to enjoy all that Maine has to offer.

Core Values

At PVESC we believe in respect for the individual, the client, and the patient. We work together as a team and expect all members of that team to treat one another respectfully. Our goal is to provide the highest quality medical, surgical and critical care to our patients, and offer excellent service to our clients.

We believe in:

Caring

Compassion

Continuing Education

Client Focus

Ethical Practice

Excellence

Fairness

Responsibility

Support

Teamwork

Transparency

Benefits

401(k) Retirement plan

Medical, dental, and other insurances

Disability plan

Employee assistance program

Numerous schedule options

Life insurance

Paid time off, paid community volunteer hours,

paid bereavement days, paid holidays

Professional development assistance

Employee discounts

Continuing Education

Want to know more?

If you think Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care is right for you, please reach out to us.

Email our management team with your resume.

Kristines@pvesc.com

EXTERNSHIPS

Veterinary Student Externships:

PVESC hosts veterinary student externships and preceptorships in single or multiple disciplines, including Emergency, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, and Cardiology.  Please forward CV and letter of interest to Kristine at kristines@pvesc.com.

Veterinary Technician Student Externships:

PVESC hosts veterinary student externships in single or multiple disciplines, including Emergency, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, and Cardiology.  Please forward CV and letter of interest to Kim at kimk@pvesc.com.

Continuing Education December 11, 2023

 

PVESC’s next Continuing Education dinner event is scheduled for December 11, 2023, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, Maine.

More information will be posted in September, 2023!

Any questions, please call or email Kristine S., kristines@pvesc.com, 207-878-3121.

 

Schedule of Events

5:30pm-6:00pm: Check-in

6:00pm-6:45pm: Dinner and Dinner Lecture

6:45pm-7:00pm: DOOR PRIZES!

7:00pm-9:00pm: Veterinarian and Technician Lectures

 

PVESC VOTED THE BEST OF THE 207

Thank you to everyone who voted PVESC Best Veterinary Hospital in 2022 in Portland Radio Group’s BEST OF THE 207 contest.  Our dedicated, hard-working, compassionate doctors and staff are overwhelmed and grateful for this honor.

 

Continuing Education May 13, 2024

 

PVESC’s next Continuing Education dinner event is scheduled for May 13, 2024, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, Maine. Any questions, please call or email Kristine S., kristines@pvesc.com, 207-878-3121.

 

Schedule of Events

5:30pm-6:00pm: Check-in

6:00pm-6:45pm: Dinner and Dinner Lecture

6:45pm-7:00pm: DOOR PRIZES!

7:00pm-9:00pm: Veterinarian and Technician Lectures

 

Veterinary Client Service Representative (CSR) – Specialty

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) is building a community of team members who want to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that provides the highest quality care to our patients and their people. If this sounds like something you want to be a part of, please keep reading.

PVESC has a long-standing history of being one of the go-to veterinary hospitals in beautiful southern Maine. We are a growing 26 doctor emergency and specialty hospital offering surgery, internal medicine, oncology, dermatology, neurology, emergency & critical care, and cardiology. There is no limit to what you can learn here, and what level of success you can achieve.

We are currently looking for a full-time Client Service Representative (CSR) to join our growing team. Previous veterinary experience is required for this position. Our CSRs work hand in hand with our medical team and are essential to ensuring the best possible care for our clients and patients. As a member of our CSR team, you will be responsible for providing our clients and patients with compassionate and personalized attention to help ensure their individual needs are met.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

  • Providing a welcoming environment for clients and patients by delivering exceptional client service
  • Answering/responding to incoming communications such as phone calls and emails
  • Appointment scheduling and management
  • Communicating needs of clients and patients to medical team
  • Medical record organization and collection
  • Receive and process payments, Routine office duties such as scanning, faxing, etc.

This position requires compassion, kindness, strong communication and organizational skills with an emphasis on attention to detail. The ideal team member is collaborative, solution based and embraces a growth mindset. It is our goal to build a long-term successful relationship with our team members. PVESC is committed to valuing you by providing a rewarding compensation package that includes fair base pay commensurate with your experience, and an extensive benefit plan offering medical, dental and vision insurance, long-term disability, life insurance, and more, holiday pay, uniform allowance, personal pet discount, EAP program, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, paid volunteer hours, paid continuing education, as well as professional development and learning opportunities.

PVESC is a team driven workplace where members are encouraged to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and energy to our collective success. We utilize a collaborative and solution-based approach to leadership and decision making that allows our team members to be involved in creating their best and happiest work life. PVESC is full of incredible people doing incredible things daily. As part of the team, you will be able to give back to the community through continuing education events and community outreach opportunities like Pet Rock in the Park, and annual outdoor pet-friendly event in Portland featuring live bands and much more.

If you want to be part of a high performing team that is empowered to help each other reach their goals, and go home at the end of the day feeling like you have made a difference, then we want to talk with you.

Please email your resume and letter of interest to kristines@pvesc.com.

Please answer the following two required questions as part of the hiring process:

  1. Tell me about a time when you have set concrete work goals for yourself. What goals did you set, how did you measure progress, and did you achieve those goals.
  2. Sometimes as you go through the day you can come up with ideas for improvements or ways to make things better or more effective. Tell me about a time when you have had an idea for improvement and how you approached getting that idea implemented.  How was your idea received?  Did the idea get implemented? 

Emergency Veterinarian – Overnight

Overnight Emergency Veterinarian for Large Emergency / Specialty Hospital in Portland, Maine. $200,000.00+ Salary

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care of Portland, Maine is seeking an overnight emergency veterinarian to join our client and patient-focused multidisciplinary emergency and specialty practice. PVESC is one of the largest 24/7 hospitals in the northeast and includes the specialties of internal medicine, surgery, critical care, anesthesiology, oncology, cardiology, dermatology, radiology, and radioactive iodine therapy. Come join us and share in the excitement as we build our new, expansive 42,000 sq ft facility, scheduled to be completed in 2025.

PVESC has grown exponentially and has earned a reputation of integrity, collaboration, and excellence in veterinary health care delivery. We are searching for an overnight emergency veterinarian to join our energetic, passionate, and genial professional family. The successful candidate will provide high-quality, compassionate emergency care to their patients and the people who love them.

Our large staff allows us to take a team approach to patient care. Values that guide us in patient care are compassion, kindness, respect, quality, and communication. Our facility has a new technology CT machine, MRI, digital radiology, three surgical suites, in-house IDEXX lab machines, ultrasounds, endoscopy, telemetry, pulse-wave therapy, laser therapy, advanced monitoring equipment and so much more.

Salary base is $200,000.00 annually, LARGE sign-on bonus commensurate with experience, relocation allowance, amazing benefit package, and a very cool town to live and work in.

Portland, Maine has been voted one of the “Top Ten Places to Live” by TripAdvisor. You will have ample time off to enjoy the coastline, islands, mountains, a working waterfront, art, 5-star restaurants, microbreweries, wineries, concerts, opera, theatre, and professional sports teams. It is a fabulous place to enjoy a work-life harmony and family life!

Compensation:

  • Very Competitive salary
  • Substantial new hire bonus
  • Generous Relocation package
  • Ample CE allowance
  • Paid holidays
  • Paid Time Off
  • Comprehensive insurance coverage
  • Professional licensing/dues
  • Retirement program

Please forward your CV and letter of interest to kristines@pvesc.com.

Please answer the following two required questions as part of the hiring process:

  1. Tell me about a time when you have set concrete work goals for yourself. What goals did you set, how did you measure progress, and did you achieve those goals.
  2. Sometimes as you go through the day you can come up with ideas for improvements or ways to make things better or more effective. Tell me about a time when you have had an idea for improvement and how you approached getting that idea implemented.  How was your idea received?  Did the idea get implemented? 

Veterinary Sterile Processing Technician

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) is a growing 26 doctor practice offering the highest quality veterinary referral and emergency medicine including surgery, anesthesia, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, dermatology, emergency critical care, and cardiology. Emergency veterinary services are available 24/7/365. There is no limit to what you can learn here, and what level of success you can achieve.

We are building a special place where our team members can thrive, grow, and learn as they help us provide exceptional medical care and client service. If you want to be part of that kind of place, we want you to join our team and help us continue to create it.

PVESC has a current opening for a full-time (or part-time) surgical sterile processing / instrument technician for our busy surgery department. Our surgery department has five board-certified surgeons, two board-certified neurologists, and a board-certified anesthesiologist, specializing in soft tissue, orthopedic, laparoscopic, and neurosurgery. Maintaining a high set of standards and procedures, the sterile processing technician plays a vital role in preventing infection by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing surgical packs and surgical supplies. Veterinary experience would be beneficial but not necessary, sterile processing experience is necessary.

We are committed to valuing you by offering a sign-on bonus with experience, compensation commensurate with experience and degree, and an extensive benefits plan, helping you achieve financial security.

We are a team driven workplace where every member gets to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and energy to our collective success. We use a collaborative approach to leadership and decision making that allows our teams to be involved in creating their best and happiest work life. You will build friendships as part of a compassionate and supportive team and give back to the community through continuing education events and community outreach like Pet Rock in the Park, an annual outdoor pet-friendly event in Portland featuring live bands and much more.

If you want to be part of something special, do meaningful work every day, connect with an amazing high performing team, then we want to hear from you.

Please email your resume and letter of interest to kristines@pvesc.com.

Please answer the following two required questions as part of the hiring process:

  1. Tell me about a time when you have set concrete work goals for yourself. What goals did you set, how did you measure progress, and did you achieve those goals.
  2. Sometimes as you go through the day you can come up with ideas for improvements or ways to make things better or more effective. Tell me about a time when you have had an idea for improvement and how you approached getting that idea implemented.  How was your idea received?  Did the idea get implemented? 

Veterinary Client Coordinator – Internal Medicine

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) is building a special place where our team members can thrive, grow, and learn as they help us provide exceptional veterinary care and client service. If you want to be part of that kind of place, we want you to join our team and help us continue to grow it.

We are a 26 doctor emergency and specialty veterinary practice including surgery, internal medicine, oncology, dermatology, neurology, emergency & critical care, and cardiology. There is no limit to what you can learn here, and what level of success you can achieve.

PVESC has a current opening in our specialty department for a full-time Internal Medicine Client Coordinator. Coordinators have previous experience in veterinary medicine as licensed technicians, veterinary assistants, or very experienced client service representatives. Coordinators work closely with the clients, technicians, and CSRs, and they are integral in the function and smooth flow of the department. Some of the responsibilities include monitoring client and referring veterinarian communication for doctors and technicians, reviewing records for patients with a concern for urgency, entering information into the computer system, auditing the previous weeks records referral reports, charges, and diagnostics, and understand their departments procedures and protocols when applicable.

PVESC is committed to valuing you by offering compensation commensurate with experience, and an extensive benefits plan, helping you to achieve financial security. We are a team driven workplace where every member gets to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and energy to our collective success. We use a collaborative approach to leadership and decision making that allows all our teams to be involved in creating their best and happiest work life. You will build friendships as part of a compassionate and supportive team and give back to the community through continuing education events and community outreach like Pet Rock in the Park, and annual outdoor pet-friendly event in Portland featuring live bands and much more.

If you want to be part of something special, do meaningful work every day, connect with an amazing high performing team and help us as we empower our team members to reach even higher, then we want to hear from you.

Please send your resume and letter of interest to kristines@pvesc.com.

Please answer the following two required questions as part of the hiring process:

  1. Tell me about a time when you have set concrete work goals for yourself. What goals did you set, how did you measure progress, and did you achieve those goals.
  2. Sometimes as you go through the day you can come up with ideas for improvements or ways to make things better or more effective. Tell me about a time when you have had an idea for improvement and how you approached getting that idea implemented.  How was your idea received?  Did the idea get implemented? 

Veterinary Client Coordinator – Oncology

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) is building a special place where our team members can thrive, grow, and learn as they help us provide exceptional veterinary care and client service. If you want to be part of that kind of place, we want you to join our team and help us continue to grow it.

We are a 26 doctor emergency and specialty veterinary practice including surgery, internal medicine, oncology, dermatology, neurology, emergency & critical care, and cardiology. There is no limit to what you can learn here, and what level of success you can achieve.

PVESC has a current opening in our specialty department for a full-time Oncology Client Coordinator. Coordinators have previous experience in veterinary medicine as licensed technicians, veterinary assistants, or very experienced client service representatives. Experience in oncology is a plus, but not necessary. Coordinators work closely with the clients, technicians, and CSRs, and they are integral in the function and smooth flow of the department. Some of the responsibilities include monitoring client and referring veterinarian communication for doctors and technicians, reviewing records for patients with a concern for urgency, entering information into the computer system, auditing the previous weeks records referral reports, charges, and diagnostics, and understand their departments procedures and protocols when applicable.

PVESC is committed to valuing you by offering compensation commensurate with experience, and an extensive benefits plan, helping you to achieve financial security. We are a team driven workplace where every member gets to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and energy to our collective success. We use a collaborative approach to leadership and decision making that allows all our teams to be involved in creating their best and happiest work life. You will build friendships as part of a compassionate and supportive team and give back to the community through continuing education events and community outreach like Pet Rock in the Park, and annual outdoor pet-friendly event in Portland featuring live bands and much more.

If you want to be part of something special, do meaningful work every day, connect with an amazing high performing team and help us as we empower our team members to reach even higher, then we want to hear from you.

Please send your resume and letter of interest to kristines@pvesc.com.

Please answer the following two required questions as part of the hiring process:

  1. Tell me about a time when you have set concrete work goals for yourself. What goals did you set, how did you measure progress, and did you achieve those goals.
  2. Sometimes as you go through the day you can come up with ideas for improvements or ways to make things better or more effective. Tell me about a time when you have had an idea for improvement and how you approached getting that idea implemented.  How was your idea received?  Did the idea get implemented? 

Veterinary Technician – Emergency

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) is building a special place where our team members can thrive, grow, and learn as they help us provide exceptional veterinary care and client service. If you want to be part of that kind of place, we want you to join our team and help us continue to grow it.

We are a 26 doctor emergency and specialty veterinary practice including surgery, internal medicine, oncology, dermatology, neurology, emergency & critical care, and cardiology. There is no limit to what you can learn here, and what level of success you can achieve.

PVESC has current full-time openings in our emergency department for veterinary technician specialists in ECC, licensed technicians or very experienced veterinary assistants. We have various shift opportunities to fit everyone’s scheduling needs, including daytime, evening, weekend and overnight.

Our large staff allows us to take a team approach to patient care. Values that guide us in patient care are compassion, kindness, respect, quality, and communication. If you are a technician with exceptional written and oral communication skills and attention to detail, we’re looking for you!

Our facility has a new technology CT machine, MRI, digital radiology, three surgical suites, in-house IDEXX lab machines, ultrasounds, endoscopy, pulse-wave therapy, laser therapy, advanced monitoring equipment and so much more.

PVESC is committed to valuing you by offering compensation commensurate with experience, and an extensive benefits plan, helping you to achieve financial security. We are a team driven workplace where every member gets to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and energy to our collective success. We use a collaborative approach to leadership and decision making that allows all our teams to be involved in creating their best and happiest work life. You will build friendships as part of a compassionate and supportive team and give back to the community through continuing education events and community outreach like Pet Rock in the Park, and annual outdoor pet-friendly event in Portland featuring live bands and much more.

If you want to be part of something special, do meaningful work every day, connect with an amazing high performing team and help us as we empower our team members to reach even higher, then we want to hear from you.

Please send your resume and letter of interest to kristines@pvesc.com.

Please answer the following two required questions as part of the hiring process:

  1. Tell me about a time when you have set concrete work goals for yourself. What goals did you set, how did you measure progress, and did you achieve those goals.
  2. Sometimes as you go through the day you can come up with ideas for improvements or ways to make things better or more effective. Tell me about a time when you have had an idea for improvement and how you approached getting that idea implemented.  How was your idea received?  Did the idea get implemented? 

Veterinary Technician – Internal Medicine

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) is building a special place where our team members can thrive, grow, and learn as they help us provide exceptional veterinary care and client service. If you want to be part of that kind of place, we want you to join our team and help us continue to grow it.

We are a 26 doctor emergency and specialty veterinary practice including surgery, internal medicine, oncology, dermatology, neurology, emergency & critical care, and cardiology. There is no limit to what you can learn here, and what level of success you can achieve.

PVESC has a full-time job opening for licensed veterinary technician or very experienced veterinary assistant to join our Internal Medicine department. The perfect candidate will thrive in a quick paced environment, be great with client communication, enjoy computers, and be equally handy in appointments and procedures. If you are a seasoned professional in specialty medicine, or if you are currently in general medicine and interested in expanding your knowledge, we want to hear from you!

Our large staff allows us to take a team approach to patient care. Values that guide us in patient care are compassion, kindness, respect, quality, and communication. If you are a technician with exceptional written and oral communication skills and attention to detail, we’re looking for you!

Our facility has a new technology CT machine, MRI, digital radiology, three surgical suites, in-house IDEXX lab machines, ultrasounds, endoscopy, pulse-wave therapy, laser therapy, advanced monitoring equipment and so much more.

PVESC is committed to valuing you by offering compensation commensurate with experience, and an extensive benefits plan, helping you to achieve financial security. We are a team driven workplace where every member gets to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and energy to our collective success. We use a collaborative approach to leadership and decision making that allows all our teams to be involved in creating their best and happiest work life. You will build friendships as part of a compassionate and supportive team and give back to the community through continuing education events and community outreach like Pet Rock in the Park, and annual outdoor pet-friendly event in Portland featuring live bands and much more.

If you want to be part of something special, do meaningful work every day, connect with an amazing high performing team and help us as we empower our team members to reach even higher, then we want to hear from you.

Please send your resume and letter of interest to kristines@pvesc.com.

Please answer the following two required questions as part of the hiring process:

  1. Tell me about a time when you have set concrete work goals for yourself. What goals did you set, how did you measure progress, and did you achieve those goals.
  2. Sometimes as you go through the day you can come up with ideas for improvements or ways to make things better or more effective. Tell me about a time when you have had an idea for improvement and how you approached getting that idea implemented.  How was your idea received?  Did the idea get implemented? 

Veterinary Technician Assistant – Surgery

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) offers the highest quality veterinary referral and emergency medicine. We have two locations, both in Portland, Maine. Our specialties include surgery, anesthesiology, internal medicine, oncology, neurology, dermatology, emergency critical care, and cardiology. Emergency veterinary services are available 24/7/365.

PVESC has a current opening for a full-time veterinary technician assistant (TA) to join our surgery department. This position is four 10-hour days, including three weekdays and one weekend day. Our busy surgery department has five board-certified surgeons specializing in soft tissue, orthopedic, laparoscopic, and neurosurgery.

The surgical technician assistant (TA) will help with the flow of our daily surgeries in many ways, including assisting the surgical technicians by restraining animals for diagnostics, blood draws, and catheterization, prepping the patient for surgery, recovering the patient after surgery, and helping clean and “turn over” the surgical suite between surgeries. Previous experience with animal restraint is requested.

We are committed to valuing you by offering compensation commensurate with experience and degree, and an extensive benefits plan, helping you achieve financial security.

We are a team driven workplace where every member gets to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and energy to our collective success. We use a collaborative approach to leadership and decision making that allows all our teams to be involved in creating their best and happiest work life.

If you want to be part of something special, do meaningful work every day, connect with an amazing high performing team and help us as we empower our team members to reach even higher, then we want to hear from you.
Please send your resume and letter of interest to kristines@pvesc.com.

Please answer the following two required questions as part of the hiring process:

  1. Tell me about a time when you have set concrete work goals for yourself. What goals did you set, how did you measure progress, and did you achieve those goals.
  2. Sometimes as you go through the day you can come up with ideas for improvements or ways to make things better or more effective. Tell me about a time when you have had an idea for improvement and how you approached getting that idea implemented.  How was your idea received?  Did the idea get implemented? 

Veterinary Client Coordinator – Emergency

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) is building a special place where our team members can thrive, grow, and learn as they help us provide exceptional veterinary care and client service. If you want to be part of that kind of place, we want you to join our team and help us continue to create it.

We are a growing 26 doctor emergency and specialty veterinary practice including surgery, internal medicine, oncology, dermatology, neurology, emergency & critical care, and cardiology. There is no limit to what you can learn here, and what level of success you can achieve.

The Emergency Client Coordinator is a liaison position in our busy emergency department, helping the criticalists, emergency clinicians, technicians, client service representatives and clients in many integral ways, such as support with triage, handling most of the client communication, and discharging patients. The perfect candidate will have years of veterinary experience (preferably emergency), great organization skills, love computers, and be able to communicate kindly, compassionately, and effectively with clients, referring veterinary hospitals, and staff.

Previous experience in a veterinary hospital is required, technician knowledge is preferred, and strong customer service skills are important. This position is perfect for the experienced veterinary technician or assistant who is considering a change of pace. Pay commensurate with experience and licensure, and generous sign on bonus commensurate with experience.

PVESC is committed to valuing you by offering compensation commensurate with experience, and an extensive benefits plan, helping you to achieve financial security. We are a team driven workplace where every member gets to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and energy to our collective success. We use a collaborative approach to leadership and decision making that allows all our teams to be involved in creating their best and happiest work life. You will build friendships as part of a compassionate and supportive team and give back to the community through continuing education events and community outreach like Pet Rock in the Park, and annual outdoor pet-friendly event in Portland featuring live bands and much more.

If you want to be part of something specially, do meaningful work every day, connect with an amazing high performing team and help us as we empower our team members to reach even higher, then we want to hear from you.

Please send your resume and letter of interest to kristines@pvesc.com.

Please answer the following two required questions as part of the hiring process:

  1. Tell me about a time when you have set concrete work goals for yourself. What goals did you set, how did you measure progress, and did you achieve those goals.
  2. Sometimes as you go through the day you can come up with ideas for improvements or ways to make things better or more effective. Tell me about a time when you have had an idea for improvement and how you approached getting that idea implemented.  How was your idea received?  Did the idea get implemented? 

Part Time or Per Diem Veterinary Technicians – Emergency

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) offers the highest quality veterinary referral and emergency medicine. We have two locations, both in Portland, Maine. Our specialties include surgery, anesthesiology, internal medicine, oncology, neurology, dermatology, emergency critical care, and cardiology. Emergency veterinary services are available 24/7/365.

Our emergency department need your help: Part-time or per diem help from talented LVTs and experienced Veterinary Assistants to help our busy emergency service Fridays, Saturdays, and/or Sundays. Work one, two, or all three days, or on a per diem basis, helping fill shifts when you are able. Day and evening shifts are available. We offer generous shift differentials for evening, weekend, and overnight hours.

We are committed to valuing you by offering compensation commensurate with experience and degree, and an extensive benefits plan, helping you achieve financial security.

We are a team driven workplace where every member gets to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and energy to our collective success. We use a collaborative approach to leadership and decision making that allows all our teams to be involved in creating their best and happiest work life.If you want to be part of something special, do meaningful work every day, connect with an amazing high performing team and help us as we empower our team members to reach even higher, then we want to hear from you.

Please send your resume and letter of interest to kristines@pvesc.com.

Please answer the following two required questions as part of the hiring process:

  1. Tell me about a time when you have set concrete work goals for yourself. What goals did you set, how did you measure progress, and did you achieve those goals.
  2. Sometimes as you go through the day you can come up with ideas for improvements or ways to make things better or more effective. Tell me about a time when you have had an idea for improvement and how you approached getting that idea implemented.  How was your idea received?  Did the idea get implemented? 

Veterinary Anesthesia Recovery Technician

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) offers the highest quality veterinary referral and emergency medicine. We have two locations, both in Portland, Maine. Our specialties include surgery, anesthesiology, internal medicine, oncology, neurology, dermatology, emergency critical care, ophthalmology, and cardiology. Emergency veterinary services are available 24/7/365.

We have an opening for a full-time, licensed veterinary technician or experienced veterinary assistant to join our growing hospital. If you are interested in intricate, amazing anesthetic procedures and surgeries, this is the position for you. This position will enable you to learn and diversify your skills.

The anesthesia recovery technician is responsible for all aspects of surgical nursing, including diagnostics, administering, and monitoring anesthesia, treatments, admitting and discharging patients, surgical assisting, post-op care and recovery, and more. Experience in anesthesia and surgery is preferred, as is flexibility.  We focus on high-quality, supportive, and personalized care for our clients and their pets. You will be able to utilize your skills to the fullest.

We are committed to valuing you by offering a sign-on bonus, compensation commensurate with experience and degree, and an extensive benefits plan, helping you achieve financial security.

We are a team driven workplace where every member gets to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and energy to our collective success. We use a collaborative approach to leadership and decision making that allows all our teams to be involved in creating their best and happiest work life.

If you want to be part of something special, do meaningful work every day, connect with an amazing high performing team and help us as we empower our team members to reach even higher, then we want to hear from you.

Please send your resume and letter of interest to kristines@pvesc.com.

Please answer the following two required questions as part of the hiring process:

  1. Tell me about a time when you have set concrete work goals for yourself. What goals did you set, how did you measure progress, and did you achieve those goals.
  2. Sometimes as you go through the day you can come up with ideas for improvements or ways to make things better or more effective. Tell me about a time when you have had an idea for improvement and how you approached getting that idea implemented.  How was your idea received?  Did the idea get implemented? 

Veterinary Treatment Room Attendant

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) is building a special place where our team members can thrive, grow, and learn as they help us provide exceptional medical care and client service. If you want to be part of that kind of place, we want you to join our team and help us continue to create it.

PVESC has two full-time openings for kennel / treatment room assistants in our emergency department. The shifts are four 10-hour days, 10am to 8pm, and include a weekend day. Part-time will also be considered. Treatment room assistants help the hospital in many ways, including walking dogs outside, transporting patients in the hospital, cleaning kennels, helping maintain the general cleanliness of the treatment room, lobby and outpatient areas, washing food dishes and litter boxes, inventory stocking, laundry, and learning a general working knowledge of the emergency department and treatment room flow.

PVESC is a growing 26 doctor emergency and specialty veterinary practice including emergency & critical care, surgery, internal medicine, oncology, dermatology, neurology, anesthesiology, and cardiology. There is no limit to what you can learn here, and what level of success you can achieve.

We are committed to valuing you by offering compensation commensurate with experience and degree, and an extensive benefits plan, helping you achieve financial security.

We are a team driven workplace where every member gets to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and energy to our collective success. We use a collaborative approach to leadership and decision making that allows all our teams to be involved in creating their best and happiest work life.

You will build friendships as part of a compassionate and supportive team and give back to the community through continuing education events and community outreach like Pet Rock in the Park, an annual outdoor pet-friendly event in Portland featuring live bands and much more.

If you want to be a part of something special, do meaningful work every day, connect with an amazing high performing team, and help us as we empower our team members to reach even higher, then we want to hear from you.

Please send your resume and letter of interest to kristines@pvesc.com.

Please answer the following two required questions as part of the hiring process:

  1. Tell me about a time when you have set concrete work goals for yourself. What goals did you set, how did you measure progress, and did you achieve those goals.
  2. Sometimes as you go through the day you can come up with ideas for improvements or ways to make things better or more effective. Tell me about a time when you have had an idea for improvement and how you approached getting that idea implemented.  How was your idea received?  Did the idea get implemented? 

Veterinary Technician – Surgery

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) offers the highest quality veterinary referral and emergency medicine. We have two locations, both in Portland, Maine. Our specialties include surgery, anesthesiology, internal medicine, oncology, neurology, dermatology, emergency critical care, and cardiology. Emergency veterinary services are available 24/7/365.

We have an opening for a full-time, licensed veterinary technicians or VTS to join our busy surgery department. Veterinary assistants very experienced in surgery will also be considered. If you are interested in fun, intricate, cool, different, and amazing surgeries, our busy surgery department has five board-certified surgeons who will gladly use your skills for soft tissue, orthopedic, laparoscopic, and neurosurgery– we see it all.

Our surgical technicians are responsible for all aspects of surgical nursing– diagnostics, administering and monitoring anesthesia, treatments, admitting and discharging patients, surgical assisting, post-op care and recovery, and more. Experience in anesthesia and surgery is preferred, as is flexibility. We focus on high-quality, supportive, and personalized care for our clients and their pets. You will be able to utilize your skills to the fullest.

We are committed to valuing you by offering a sign-on bonus, compensation commensurate with experience and degree, and an extensive benefits plan, helping you achieve financial security.

We are a team driven workplace where every member gets to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and energy to our collective success. We use a collaborative approach to leadership and decision making that allows all our teams to be involved in creating their best and happiest work life.

If you want to be part of something special, do meaningful work every day, connect with an amazing high performing team and help us as we empower our team members to reach even higher, then we want to hear from you.

Please send your resume to KristineS@pvesc.com.

Please answer the following two required questions as part of the hiring process:

  1. Tell me about a time when you have set concrete work goals for yourself. What goals did you set, how did you measure progress, and did you achieve those goals.
  2. Sometimes as you go through the day you can come up with ideas for improvements or ways to make things better or more effective. Tell me about a time when you have had an idea for improvement and how you approached getting that idea implemented.  How was your idea received?  Did the idea get implemented?