Lead Veterinary Surgery Technician

Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists•Williston, VT

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists is looking for a Lead Surgical Technician who brings operating room expertise, natural leadership, and the drive to elevate an entire surgical team. In this role, you'll own the surgical suite, scrubbing in on complex soft tissue and orthopedic cases, directly supervising surgical technicians, and setting the standard for technique, efficiency, and patient care. This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who is equally at home holding a retractor and developing the people around them. Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists (BEVS) is Vermont's only 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital, bringing together a collaborative team of technicians and specialists who are passionate about delivering high-quality, advanced care. With services including soft tissue surgery, orthopedics, 24/7 emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology, ophthalmology, dentistry, and oral surgery, you'll have the opportunity to scrub in on interesting, complex cases while leading a team that takes real pride in their craft.

Requirements

Experience in veterinary surgery required; specialty or emergency setting strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience with both soft tissue and orthopedic surgical procedures and instrumentation
Previous experience in a lead, supervisory, or senior technician role preferred
Credentialed veterinary technician (CVT/LVT/RVT) preferred but not required — depth of surgical experience and leadership ability are the priority
Expert-level understanding of sterile technique, instrument sterilization methods, and surgical suite management
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to lead a team, navigate conflict, and collaborate across departments
Ability to manage competing priorities, maintain composure under pressure, and keep a fast-paced surgical schedule on track
Must be comfortable with physical demands of the role including patient handling, lifting, and potential exposure to anesthetic gases, radiation, and other hazardous materials; PPE provided and required

Responsibilities

Serve as a circulating technician for surgical procedures
Prepare and maintain sterile fields, surgical instrument packs, and implant inventories at the highest standard
Perform and oversee patient preparation including surgical site clipping, aseptic prep, and positioning
Assist with anesthetic induction and support the anesthesia team throughout procedures as needed
Monitor patients during recovery and ensure clear, thorough post-operative communication with the care team
Assist surgeons with wound management, bandaging, and discharge preparation on complex cases
Oversee maintenance, cleaning, inspection, and sterilization of all surgical instruments and equipment
Manage orthopedic implant inventory and loaner sets, coordinating with vendors and ensuring readiness for scheduled cases
Ensure consistent functionality and readiness of surgical suite equipment including electrosurgery units, suction, and power tools
Own surgical supply inventory, tracking, restocking, and flagging low or expiring items in coordination with the Inventory/Facilities Manager
Directly supervise surgical technicians, providing day-to-day guidance, performance feedback, and scheduling support
Serve as the primary point of escalation for surgical suite concerns, equipment issues, and case preparation questions
Train and onboard new surgical technicians and assistants on sterile technique, instrument handling, patient preparation, and OR workflow
Partner with hospital leadership on performance reviews, goal-setting, and staff development for the surgical team
Lead by example in professionalism, surgical standards, and cross-departmental collaboration
Develop, maintain, and update surgical SOPs and protocols in partnership with the surgical and medical teams
Uphold OSHA, DEA, and hospital compliance standards within the surgical suite