Lead Surgical Veterinary Technician

Horse Heaven Hills Pet Urgent Care & Veterinary Center; Kennewick (WA); On-site; USD 41,328 - 48,216; Full time

Job summary

The Horse Heaven Hills Pet Urgent Care & Veterinary Center in Kennewick, WA is hiring a Lead Surgical LVT. This role emphasizes mentorship and advanced technical skills, ensuring efficient surgical workflow and safety compliance.

The ideal candidate will possess a valid Washington state vet tech license, a solid background in veterinary care, and the ability to lead and train staff effectively. A competitive salary of $30.00 to $35.00 per hour is offered depending on experience.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• 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.
• Ensure efficient patient flow from admission through recovery and discharge.
• Identify workflow challenges and recommend practical solutions.

Skills

Clinical Mentorship

Surgical Workflow Management

Client Communication

Technical Proficiency

Safety Compliance

Education

Degree from accredited veterinary technology program

Valid Washington State Veterinary Technician License

Job description

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 per hour dependent on skills and experience.