Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) - Internal Medicine

Bellevue Veterinary Emergency + Specialty•Bellevue, WA

3h•Onsite

About The Position

Bellevue Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital was established to provide world-class care for pets and clarity and compassion for pet parents, especially during emergency visits and specialty care. The hospital focuses on creating a supportive environment for its team members, ensuring fulfilling careers and healthy work-life harmony. They prioritize staff well-being, listen to feedback, and provide resources for professional growth, including support for new skills and credentials. The organization also extends its commitment to pets beyond the hospital through charity drives and a partnership with World Vets, offering team members opportunities to participate in international philanthropic projects, such as opening a veterinary clinic in the Galapagos. The Lead Veterinary Technician position is an experienced role responsible for performing routine and specialized technical procedures, assisting in developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), and overseeing training protocols in the emergency room, ICU, and/or specialty departments. This role involves working cooperatively with all hospital staff and administration, and providing advanced troubleshooting for department issues under the supervision of the Hospital Administrator, Medical Director, Department Head, and Chief of Specialty.

Requirements

Must have prior internal medicine experience in the specialty setting.
LVT (licensed veterinary technician), RVT (registered veterinary technician), or CVT (certified veterinary technician).
Current licensure in Washington State.
Ability to handle and maintain sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Knowledge of veterinary hospital practices and procedures.
Strong organizational and time management skills including managing multiple priorities.
Strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
Interact with a variety of clients and employees in a professional, caring, compassionate, and tactful manner.
Basic knowledge of the generic and brand names, common uses, and side effects of drugs utilized in a veterinary practice.
Basic knowledge of medical equipment and terminology.
Basic proficiency with a variety of computer programs including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Practice Management software.
Basic written, verbal, and active listening communication skills with a customer oriented approach.
Basic analytical, critical thinking, judgement, and problem-solving skills.
Accurate drug dosage calculation abilities.
Understanding of physiology and pharmacology to give appropriate patient care.
Ability to provide both basic and advanced life support during a CPR event.
Ability to work in a changing environment.
Ability to communicate clearly and calmly in stressful situations.
Appropriate radiographic technique.
Understanding of safe anesthetic protocols.
Venipuncture and intravenous catheter placement.
Enteral and parenteral medication administration.

Nice To Haves

VTS preferred
Practice Management software (Cornerstone preferred)

Responsibilities

Perform accurate and appropriate triage, history taking, basic physical exams, basic and advanced nursing care, and discharges.
Accurately enter information into medical records.
Perform anesthesia induction, monitoring, and recovery for both basic and advanced anesthetic procedures.
Accurately determine drug dosages and calculations.
Perform and assist with routine and advanced radiology technical services including radiography, ultrasound, and CT.
Provide estimates for services in conjunction with the attending doctor and trained staff.
Oversee flow of service and organize staff and doctors to help make the day run smoothly.
Provide appropriate patient and client care and ascertain that all staff are providing adequate patient and client care.
Assist Hospital Administrator in developing shift assignments for the support personnel in each department.
Oversee scheduling of staff and troubleshoot filling gaps in coverage via shift trades and obtaining additional coverage from outside veterinary technician relief services.
Clearly communicate staffing shortages or callouts to team members.
Implement SOPs and ensure compliance with following SOPs once implemented.
Provide training to both seasoned and new staff.
Appropriately onboard new staff members in the department using the onboarding checklist and provide them with both verbal and written instructions.
Monitor and assist staff members in appropriate lab and pharmacy use. Ensure protocols are being followed in both areas.
Facilitate team members obtaining their medical clerk licensure by training and working with department doctors.
Serve as a point person to support staff with de-escalation in the event of an upset client.
Troubleshoot equipment issues, shortages, unexpected needs within the respective departments.
Investigate and help to resolve technical, instrument, and other variances leading to problems in conjunction with the Hospital Administrator and Department Head.
Communicate effectively with clinicians, hospital leadership, and staff.
Cooperate with hospital administration and follow policies, procedures, and SOPS that are put in place by the leadership team.
Assist in cleaning, organizing, and proper disposal of biohazard waste.
Assist department staff with daily, weekly, and monthly checklists.
Assist with department inventory management.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Hospital Administrator, Medical Director, or Department Head.
Participate in on call schedule.
May require staying late to assist in emergency procedures or late discharges, communicated daily by the attending DVM.
Check your email daily, at the minimum at the start and end of your shift.
Perform other duties or special projects as assigned.
Assist with writing, reviewing, and updating all standard operating procedures (SOPs) in cooperation with the Department Head of the service and the hospital leadership team.
Assist Hospital Administrator and Department Head in overseeing quality assurance and instrument maintenance procedures and maintain related records according to established policies/procedures.
Attend regular meetings with the Department Head and service DVMs as well as team meetings.
Serve as a resource along with the Department Head.
Assist the Department Head and service doctors with instruction of technical skills, safety protocols, and basic procedures to interns and externs.
Liaison between department and other hospital staff when needed.
Provide feedback to Hospital Administrator and Department Head in relation to department staff.
Assist service DVMS in the training of staff and implement SOPs.
Communicate effectively with staff, doctors, and hospital leadership.
Encourage positive, solution-based conversations and discourage negative unproductive talk amongst team members.
Maintain current knowledge and certification.
Identify learning needs in self and initiate actions to address these education needs.
Use resources available for learning.
Attend or complete continuing education activities in order to maintain certification.
Have the ability to take direction, follow verbal and written instructions, and understand that not all instructions are found in a SOP.
Be flexible with changes to protocols and procedures as well as duty assignments.
Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior.
Collaborate with all team members to achieve goals.
Contribute to a positive work environment.
Exemplify core values of doing the right thing, respect, wow service, learning, and fun, and encourage all team members to do so.
Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change.
Make appropriate decisions using sound judgement.
Respect confidentiality of conversations and sensitive information shared within leadership team and meetings.
Have the ability to respond appropriately in emergent situations that may arise in the hospital environment.
Have the ability to multitask and perform multiple duties accurately and efficiently.
Be punctual to shifts and use downtime appropriately.

Benefits

401(k) retirement plan with company matching available to full-time and part-time team members
Opportunity to earn quarterly bonuses
Medical, dental, and vision insurance with options for health savings account with company contributions
Company paid life insurance
Paid time off
Paid holidays
Employee assistance program offering complimentary family, financial, substance abuse, and mental health counseling
Professional development assistance
Complimentary uniforms
Generous employee pet healthcare discounts
Opportunities for participating in international philanthropic projects through Lakefield's partnership with World Vets