Lead Veterinary Technician - Overnight Emergency

Veterinary Care and Specialty Group; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly pay and night/week

Shift differentials for nights/weekend

Employee assistance program

Pet care discount

Continuing education allowance

Paid time off

Job summary

Veterinary Care and Specialty Group in Chattanooga, TN is seeking a Lead Emergency Veterinary Technician to oversee the overnight emergency team. You will supervise staff, deliver high‑quality nursing care, and support clinicians during critical cases.

The role requires ER experience, strong leadership, and excellent communication. You will handle diagnostics, monitoring, and anesthesia tasks, while ensuring accurate records and compassionate client communication.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of nursing experience in a veterinary setting.
• ER, Urgent Care, or Specialty/Referral experience required.
• Skilled in venipuncture, IV catheter placement, anesthesia monitoring, drug calculations, and other technical skills.
• Strong medical math skills and experience with drug calculations.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, prior leadership experience preferred.
• Attention to detail, must be thorough in your work, with a focus on accuracy, especially in critical moments.

Responsibilities

• Lead your team through each shift providing direction and guidance for optimal patient care and efficiency.
• Perform nursing tasks including venipuncture, IV catheter placement, anesthesia monitoring, and medication administration.
• Monitor patients at risk for cardiac and respiratory events and initiate CPR as needed.
• Maintain patient assessments and communicate with clients about their pet's history.
• Collaborate with veterinarians and specialists on diagnostics and procedures for each patient.
• Advocate for patient well-being from arrival to discharge.

Skills

Leadership

Venipuncture

IV catheter placement

Anesthesia monitoring

Drug calculations

Medical math

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)

Tools

Radiology equipment

In-house laboratory equipment

Job description

Lead Veterinary Technician - Overnight Emergency

Chattanooga, Tennessee

VCSG is looking for a compassionate, skilled Lead Emergency Veterinary Technicianto join our Overnight Emergency team!

Who We Are

Veterinary Care & Specialty Group (VCSG) is Chattanooga’s largest multi-specialty and emergency hospital, where compassionate care meets cutting‑edge medicine. At VCSG, we are committed to providing exceptional specialty and emergency care while fostering a supportive and collaborative team environment. We believe that excellence in patient care starts with a workplace where professionals feel valued, empowered, and inspired to grow — because when our team thrives, so do our patients.

Who We Are Looking For

Our exceptional team of licensed veterinary technicians are the heart of VCSG. Our Emergency and Critical Care technicians play a vital role in delivering life‑saving care. They support our board‑certified criticalists, emergency clinicians, and specialists across all departments.

As we grow, we’re seeking a top‑tier technician who thrives under pressure and want to make a real impact.

What You Can Expect To Do

• Leadership:Guide your team through each shift providing direction and guidance for optimal patient care & efficiency. Delegate people and resources where they are needed most while supporting veterinarians and specialists.

Emergency & Critical Care Nursing:Use your skills to perform venipuncture, IV catheter placement, and medication administration via all routes. You'll be delivering compassionate and meticulous care in high‑pressure situations.

Patient Interventions & CPR: You'll be monitoring patients at risk for cardiac and respiratory arrest and will initiate CPR as needed.

Patient Monitoring/Record Keeping: You'll be performing patient assessments using various monitoring techniques and communicating with pet owners about their pet's history.

Diagnostics: You'll be hands‑on using various diagnostics, including radiology, obtaining and handling patient samples, and performing tests in our in‑house laboratory.

Anesthesia Monitoring/Surgical Assistance: You’ll keep detailed records of the anesthetic procedures — what was used, how the patient responded, and any other events along the way. During procedures, you’re ensuring everything’s running like clockwork. If anything seems off, you’re quick on your feet and ready to respond to emergencies.

Collaboration: You will partner with our various department teams to plan and coordinate diagnostics and procedures for each patient, while communicating with the team on patient status.

Patient Advocacy: Advocate for the well‑being and comfort of patients from the moment they arrive until they are discharged.

Required Qualifications

2-3 years of nursing experience in a veterinary setting, proven experience in ER, Urgent Care, or Specialty/Referral practice required.

Skilled in venipuncture, IV catheter placement, anesthesia monitoring, drug calculations, and other technical skills.

Strong medical math skills and experience with drug calculations.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills, prior leadership experience preferred

Attention to detail, must be thorough in your work, with a focus on accuracy, especially in critical moments

Must be able to lift 40 lbs

• Must be available for a full time schedule (36+ hours per week)

Preferred - Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) or equivalent certification

Why You Should Choose Us

Take the next step in your veterinary career:We are committed to training and growth, providing you with in‑person didactic, hands‑on, and virtual learning.

Provide exceptional patient care:Our hospital was built from the ground up with the highest level of care in mind. You will be using the latest equipment and technology alongside board‑certified specialists across multiple disciplines.

Work in a diverse and supportive environment:We offer a supportive environment that fosters personal and professional development, along with benefits that prioritize wellness and growth.

• Competitive hourly pay and shift differentials for nights and weekends
• Free Employee Assistance Program with mental health & financial wellness resources
• Generous employee pet care discount

Opportunities for continuing education, including allowance and additional paid time off.

• 120 hours annual paid time off and floating holiday time

Veterinary Care & Specialty Group is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.