Lead Surgical Veterinary Technician
About The Position
The Lead Surgical Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) leads and coordinates the daily surgery and dentistry schedule, supporting safe, efficient patient care from admission through recovery and discharge. The role provides advanced anesthesia and surgical nursing support, monitors pain management and recovery standards, reviews medical records, and helps ensure compliance with hospital protocols and best medical practices. The Lead Surgical LVT serves as a primary mentor for newly licensed LVTs and developing technicians, supports Veterinary Assistants pursuing licensure, and develops and documents training plans, competency evaluations, and skill progression pathways. The position also leads departmental quality assurance and workflow improvement efforts, communicates surgical department needs to hospital leadership, and oversees surgical equipment readiness and inventory. The position requires a current Washington State Veterinary Technician License and the qualifications required for LVT Levels 1, 2, and 3. Compensation is $30.00–$35.00, dependent on skills and experience, with a $2,000 sign-on bonus paid in installments: $500 at hire, $500 after six months, and $1,000 after one year.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Degree from an accredited veterinary technology program or an alternative certification route.
- Valid Washington State Veterinary Technician License, current and in good standing.
- Meet and maintain all qualifications, competencies, expectations, responsibilities, and performance standards required for LVT Levels 1, 2, and 3.
- Recover CPR certification (BLS and ALS).
- Demonstrated advanced anesthesia, surgical nursing, and technical skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, train, coach, and assess staff competencies.
- Ability to communicate confidently with clients about surgical procedures, patient status, discharge instructions, and financial plans.
- Ability to collaborate with veterinarians and hospital departments, prioritize patient care and workflow, and maintain compliance with safety protocols.
Nice To Haves
- Minimum five years of veterinary technician experience preferred.
- Demonstrated experience mentoring and training veterinary staff preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate the daily surgery and dentistry schedule, caseloads, rounds, and team huddles.
- Ensure efficient patient flow from admission through recovery and discharge while maintaining patient safety.
- Mentor newly licensed LVTs and developing technicians, and assist Veterinary Assistants pursuing licensure with skill development.
- Develop, implement, and document individualized training plans, competency evaluations, training materials, and skill progression pathways.
- Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and support to improve individual and team performance.
- Monitor anesthesia, surgical nursing, pain management, and patient recovery standards, including advanced protocols and practices.
- Review medical records for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
- Identify workflow challenges and implement or recommend improvements to patient care, efficiency, and communication.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the surgical department and hospital leadership, communicating departmental needs, progress, and operational concerns.
- Promote compliance with hospital protocols, best medical practices, OSHA standards, safety protocols, controlled substance regulations, and PPE requirements.
- Monitor surgical, anesthesia, and dental inventory and communicate supply needs.
- Ensure surgical instruments and equipment are maintained, sterilized, operational, and ready for use; assist with maintenance scheduling and troubleshooting.
- Lead departmental quality assurance initiatives and ensure new policies, protocols, and workflow changes are communicated, implemented, and followed.
- Support DVMs during advanced procedures using sound clinical judgment.
- Model professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and the hospital’s Core Values.
- Assist with departmental initiatives, special projects, operational improvements, and additional leadership responsibilities as assigned.
- Identify staff training gaps and work with employees and leadership to develop performance and confidence improvement plans.
Benefits
- $2,000 sign-on bonus: $500 at hire, $500 after six months, and $1,000 after one year.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
High school or GED
