Lead Surgical Veterinary Technician

Caring Hands Animal Hospital - Merrifield; Kennewick (WA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$2K Sign-on Bonus

Job summary

Caring Hands Animal Hospital - Merrifield in Washington State is seeking a Lead Surgical LVT to guide the surgical team, oversee anesthesia protocols, and mentor veterinary technicians. The role emphasizes leadership, quality patient care, and department performance.

You will coordinate daily surgery and dentistry, ensure patient safety, and collaborate across departments to maintain high standards and continuous improvement. Sign-on bonus included.

Qualifications

• Must hold a valid Washington State Veterinary Technician license in good standing.
• Minimum five years of veterinary technician experience preferred.
• Experience mentoring veterinary staff is preferred.
• Ability to lead surgery and dentistry schedules with attention to safety and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the daily surgery and dentistry schedule.
• Ensure efficient patient flow from admission through recovery and discharge.
• Mentor newly licensed LVTs and developing technicians.
• Monitor anesthesia, surgical nursing, pain management, and patient recovery.
• Serve as the primary liaison between surgical dept and hospital leadership.

Skills

Leadership & accountability

Mentorship & staff development

Surgical workflow management

Client communication

Technical proficiency in anesthesia

Team collaboration

Organization & time management

Growth mindset

Safety compliance

Process improvement

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Veterinary Technology degree or equivalent

Washington State Veterinary Technician License

CPR (BLS/ALS) certification

Tools

Anesthesia equipment proficiency

Sterilization & inventory management

Job description

Lead Surgical LVT

Core Values Integration:

Deliver exceptional service with compassion and hospitality.

• Make positive assumptions.
• Build trust with transparency.
• Seek improvement and maintain a growth mindset.

Essential Competencies

• Leadership & Accountability: Leads by example, promotes professionalism, and holds self and others accountable to hospital standards.
• Clinical Mentorship & Staff Development: Mentors, trains, and develops LVTs, Veterinary Assistants, and Hospital Assistants through demonstration, observation, coaching, competency assessment, and constructive feedback.
• Surgical Workflow Management: Coordinates daily surgery and dentistry workflow to maximize patient safety, efficiency, and team communication.
• Client Communication: Confidently communicates with clients regarding surgical procedures, patient status, discharge instructions, and financial plans.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrates advanced anesthesia, surgical nursing, and technical skills while maintaining compliance with hospital protocols.
• Team Collaboration: Works collaboratively with DVMs, and all hospital departments to promote continuity of care.
• Organization & Time Management: Effectively prioritizes patient care, staffing needs, training responsibilities, and departmental workflow.
• Commitment to Growth: Continuously seeks opportunities to improve clinical skills, leadership abilities, and department performance.
• Safety Compliance: Ensures compliance with OSHA standards, hospital safety protocols, controlled substance regulations, and PPE requirements.
• Identify training gaps and work proactively with employees and leadership to develop action plans that improve performance and confidence.

Essential Duties:

• Meets and maintains all competencies, expectations, responsibilities, and performance standards outlined in the LVT Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 job descriptions. The responsibilities listed below are in addition to—not in place of—those requirements.
• Lead and coordinate the daily surgery and dentistry schedule.
• Ensure efficient patient flow from admission through recovery and discharge.
• Coordinate daily surgical caseloads while maintaining patient safety and workflow efficiency.
• Lead daily surgery rounds and team huddles.
• Serve as the primary mentor for newly licensed LVTs and developing technicians.
• Assist Veterinary Assistants pursuing licensure with skill development and competency progression.
• Develop, implement, and document individualized training plans and conduct competency evaluations.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and support to improve individual and team performance.
• Monitor anesthesia, surgical nursing, pain management, and patient recovery standards.
• Review medical records for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Identify workflow challenges and recommend practical solutions that improve patient care, efficiency, and team 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 and best medical practices.
• Monitor surgical, anesthesia, and dental inventory and communicate supply needs.
• Ensure surgical instruments and equipment are maintained, sterilized, and operational.
• Assist with equipment maintenance scheduling and troubleshooting.
• Model professionalism, accountability, and the hospital’s Core Values at all times.
• Assist with departmental initiatives, special projects, and operational improvements as assigned.

Lead Surgical LVT Specific Skills:

• Demonstrates all Level 3 technical skills while maintaining proficiency.
• Oversees advanced anesthesia protocols and surgical nursing practices.
• Leads the development of clinical knowledge, technical skills, and professional growth of LVTs and support staff through mentoring, coaching, and competency assessment.
• Conducts and documents competency evaluations.
• Develops training materials and skill progression pathways.
• Leads departmental quality assurance initiatives.
• Identifies and implements workflow improvements.
• Ensures new policies, protocols, and workflow changes are communicated, implemented, and consistently followed within the surgical department.
• Oversees surgical equipment readiness and inventory management.
• Demonstrates sound clinical judgment while supporting DVMs during advanced procedures.
• Acts as a role model and leader for all hospital staff.
• May be assigned additional leadership responsibilities based on the needs of the hospital

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Degree from an accredited veterinary technology program or alternative certification route.
• Valid Washington State Veterinary Technician License, current and in good standing.
• Meets and maintains all qualifications required for LVT Levels 1, 2, and 3.
• Recover CPR (BLS and ALS) certification.
• Minimum five years of veterinary technician experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and training veterinary staff preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Lift up to 40 lbs and perform active movements (standing, walking, bending, lifting, and patient restraint).
• Manual dexterity for equipment operation and data entry.
• Occasional exposure to chemicals, radiation, and moderate noise levels.

Compensation

• Salary: $30.00 - $35.00 dependent on skills and experience 2K Sign on Bonus!!! $500 at hire, $500 after 6 months, $1000 after 1 year

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