CSS/Surgery Lead Technician

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Central Sterile Supply and Surgical Lead Technician provides operational and administrative leadership for Central Sterile Supply (CSS) within the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. This position is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery of sterile processing and surgical support services for both large and small animal patients. The lead technician oversees daily operations, personnel, workflow, inventory, equipment, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and continuous process improvement. This position works collaboratively with veterinary surgeons, clinicians, technicians, department supervisor, and other clinical departments to ensure that surgical services are adequately staffed, appropriately equipped, and prepared to meet scheduled, urgent, and emergency patient care needs. The lead technician serves as a working leader and subject-matter resource for sterile processing, surgical instrumentation, infection prevention, and operating room support while establishing and maintaining departmental standards, policies, procedures, and performance expectations.

Requirements

Associates degree in veterinary technology, healthcare administration, business administration, management, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
Demonstrated experience in veterinary medicine, surgical services, central sterile supply, sterile processing, or a closely related healthcare environment.
Working knowledge of basic companion and large animal anatomy and physiology
Working knowledge of surgical procedures, surgical instrumentation, sterile technique, and operating room practices.
Strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, and process improvements.
Ability to work effectively during routine, urgent, and emergency situations.
Rabies prophylaxis required; provided by the employer.
Must obtain Certified Registered Central Sterile Technician (CRCST) certification within one year of hire
Must obtain Central Service Leadership Certificate within two years of hire

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated supervisory or management experience, including responsibility for personnel, scheduling, training, and operational activities.
Experience managing a veterinary hospital CSS, surgical services, or comparable healthcare department.
Licensed or credentialed veterinary technician (LVT/CVT/RVT) or comparable clinical credential.
Experience with departmental purchasing, inventory management, and vendor relationships.
Experience developing employee training and competency programs.
Experience with quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and infection prevention initiatives.
Experience implementing new equipment, technology, workflows, or departmental processes.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day leadership and operational oversight of Central Sterile Supply (CSS) and surgical support personnel; collaborate with the department supervisor on recruitment, onboarding, training, scheduling, performance management, and employee development.
Develop staffing plans and coordinate coverage for routine, urgent, emergency, and after-hours surgical services.
Promote accountability, teamwork, professionalism, safety, and continuous improvement while identifying staff training and competency needs.
Oversee CSS operations, including decontamination, cleaning, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, distribution, and tracking of surgical instruments and equipment; ensure compliance with established standards and procedures.
Ensure surgical suites, instruments, equipment, supplies, and personnel are prepared and coordinated for scheduled and emergency procedures across large and small animal services and specialty areas.
Serve as a working lead by performing essential CSS and surgical support duties, including instrument processing, patient preparation, surgical suite preparation, and other technical responsibilities as needed to maintain operational continuity.
Manage CSS and surgical instrumentation inventory, equipment maintenance, repair, replacement, and procurement while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary expenditures.
Evaluate and implement improvements to workflow, equipment utilization, instrument availability, and turnaround times to support safe and efficient surgical services.
Participate in a rotating on-call schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays; must be able to report within 30 minutes when on call and serve as essential personnel during inclement weather and authorized institutional closings.