Lead Veterinary Technician: Hands-On Leader

Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital; Waynesville (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital is seeking a Lead Veterinary Technician to guide our technical team and keep the treatment floor running smoothly. You'll lead daily operations, assist anesthesia and surgery, and mentor technicians while staying hands-on with clinical care.

You’ll set standards, coordinate workflow with doctors, train staff, and help maintain equipment and records. Strong leadership and communication are essential in our fast-paced practice in North Carolina.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of clinical experience as a veterinary technician in a small animal practice.
• Proficiency in anesthesia monitoring, surgical assisting, dentistry, radiology, and in-house lab work.
• Demonstrated leadership, training, or mentoring experience.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to stay calm in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills with doctors, staff, and clients.
• Ability to pass a background check (controlled substance handling).

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the technical team during daily operations, assigning patients and tasks to keep appointments, surgeries, and treatments on schedule.
• Serve as the go-to resource for technicians and assistants on clinical questions, procedures, and hospital protocols.
• Train, onboard, and mentor new technical staff; support ongoing skill development and continuing education for the team.
• Develop, update, and enforce standard operating procedures for treatment, surgery, anesthesia, and patient care.
• Perform advanced technical duties, including anesthesia induction and monitoring, surgical assisting, dental prophylaxis and radiographs, IV catheter placement, venipuncture, and critical patient care.
• Act as the communication link between veterinarians and the technical team, making sure treatment plans are understood and carried out accurately.
• Oversee medical equipment maintenance, treatment area organization, and supply levels in partnership with inventory staff.
• Ensure controlled substance logs, medical records, and safety protocols meet state and federal requirements.
• Help build technician schedules and cover shifts as needed to keep the hospital fully staffed.
• Address team concerns, give constructive feedback, and collaborate with management on performance reviews and hiring.
• Model compassionate, professional client communication and step in to handle difficult client conversations when needed.

Skills

Leadership

Anesthesia monitoring

Surgical assisting

Radiology

Training/mentoring

Client communication

Tools

EzyVet

Job description

Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital is seeking a Lead Veterinary Technician to guide our technical team and keep the treatment floor running smoothly. You'll lead daily operations, assist anesthesia and surgery, and mentor technicians while staying hands-on with clinical care.

You’ll set standards, coordinate workflow with doctors, train staff, and help maintain equipment and records. Strong leadership and communication are essential in our fast-paced practice in North Carolina.