Veterinary Technician Lead

NVA; Twilight Hills Addition (SD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k)

Paid time off and holidays

Continuing education allowance

VTNE reimbursement

Job summary

Animal Clinic of Rapid City in Rapid City, SD seeks a Lead Veterinary Technician to guide a busy eight-doctor team in a hospital offering general practice and 24/7 emergency services. You will blend hands-on patient care with leadership responsibilities, mentoring staff and coordinating daily workflows.

The position emphasizes anesthesia, surgery, dentistry, and critical care, with a focus on maintaining high standards of patient care, documentation, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Significant hands-on Veterinary Technician experience, ideally including emergency or critical care.
• Strong clinical skills in anesthesia, surgery, dentistry, patient monitoring, and veterinary nursing.
• Previous lead technician, supervisory, or team leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians with examinations, diagnostics, treatments, and surgical procedures.
• Monitor anesthesia and support surgical preparation and recovery.
• Perform venipuncture, IV catheter placement, and laboratory diagnostics.
• Assist with dentistry, radiology, and emergency procedures.
• Provide nursing care and monitor hospitalized and critical patients.
• Administer medications, fluid therapy, and prescribed treatments.
• Maintain accurate medical records and promote patient safety.
• Provide day‑to‑day guidance and support to technicians and assistants.
• Assist with technician scheduling, shift coverage, and staffing coordination.
• Train, coach, and mentor new and existing team members.
• Lead by example through professionalism and accountability.

Skills

Hands-on experience

Emergency/critical care

Leadership/mentoring

Team coordination

Strong communication

Education

Credentialed Veterinary Technician (LVT/RVT/CVT)

Job description

Lead Veterinary Technician

Animal Clinic of Rapid City | Rapid City, SD

Full-Time | General Practice & 24/7 Emergency Veterinary Hospital

Animal Clinic of Rapid City is seeking an experienced Lead Veterinary Technician to join our eight-doctor veterinary hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota. We're looking for a confident, skilled technician who enjoys mentoring others, coordinating daily clinical operations, and helping a veterinary team provide exceptional patient care.

Our hospital provides both general practice and 24/7 emergency and critical care services for dogs and cats throughout Rapid City and the surrounding Black Hills region. This is an opportunity for an experienced Veterinary Technician to take on a leadership role while remaining actively involved in patient care.

About Animal Clinic of Rapid City

Animal Clinic of Rapid City is a busy veterinary hospital providing comprehensive medical, surgical, and emergency care in a modern, well-equipped facility.

Our hospital offers:

• Eight-doctor veterinary team
• General practice and 24/7 emergency veterinary services
• Emergency and critical care for dogs and cats
• Advanced medical and surgical care
• Opportunities to mentor and develop veterinary technicians and assistants
• Collaborative environment focused on patient care, communication, and accountability

As a regional provider of around-the-clock emergency veterinary services, our team treats a wide variety of cases and plays an important role in supporting pets and their families throughout the Black Hills community.

What You’ll Do

As our Lead Veterinary Technician, you’ll combine hands‑on clinical responsibilities with team leadership and daily workflow coordination.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians with examinations, diagnostics, treatments, and surgical procedures
• Monitor anesthesia and support surgical preparation and recovery
• Perform venipuncture, IV catheter placement, and laboratory diagnostics
• Assist with dentistry, radiology, and emergency procedures
• Provide nursing care and monitor hospitalized and critical patients
• Administer medications, fluid therapy, and prescribed treatments
• Maintain accurate medical records and promote patient safety
• Support high standards of veterinary nursing and clinical care

Leadership & Team Coordination

• Provide day‑to‑day guidance and support to veterinary technicians and assistants
• Assist with technician scheduling, shift coverage, and staffing coordination
• Help organize daily workflow and delegate responsibilities based on patient and hospital needs
• Train, coach, and mentor new and existing team members
• Serve as a clinical resource for technicians and assistants
• Promote consistent medical protocols, documentation, and hospital procedures
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, communication, and patient care
• Collaborate with veterinarians and hospital leadership to address operational challenges
• Lead by example through professionalism, accountability, and a team‑first approach

What We’re Looking For

• Significant hands‑on Veterinary Technician experience, ideally including emergency or critical care
• Credentialed Veterinary Technician (LVT/RVT/CVT) preferred
• Strong clinical skills in anesthesia, surgery, dentistry, patient monitoring, and veterinary nursing
• Previous lead technician, supervisory, or team leadership experience preferred
• Confident coordinating daily workflow and supporting a busy veterinary team
• Experience training, mentoring, or coaching other technicians and assistants
• Strong communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in high‑pressure situations
• Comfortable providing constructive feedback and addressing concerns professionally
• Dependable, adaptable, and committed to high‑quality patient care

Schedule

• Full‑Time
• Schedule coordinated around hospital and team needs
• Occasional weekend or holiday coverage may be required
• Lead Technician will have an active role in developing and managing technician schedules

Benefits & Professional Development

Eligible team members may receive:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Quarterly bonus opportunities
• Continuing education allowance
• VTNE reimbursement upon successful completion
• Employee pet care discounts
• Eligible shift and weekend differentials
• Life insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability insurance
• HSA/FSA options
• Opportunities for leadership development and continued clinical growth

Lead With Animal Clinic of Rapid City

At Animal Clinic of Rapid City, we believe strong veterinary medicine starts with a team that communicates, supports one another, and takes pride in the care they provide.

Our Lead Veterinary Technician will play an important role in helping us continue building that environment. You’ll have the opportunity to share your knowledge, develop others, improve clinical workflows, and work alongside an experienced team providing both general practice and emergency veterinary care.

We’re looking for someone who wants to be a hands‑on leader and make a meaningful contribution to the hospital’s continued growth.

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading North American pet health care company with nearly 1,300 locations spanning general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos emergency and specialty hospitals, and pet resorts and equine veterinary care. With approximately 40,000 team members, we care for pets and support pet families in communities across the United States and Canada. Our purpose is to give pets and the people who love them more quality years together, and our mission is to make care more personal, easy and accessible while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. Across NVA, we support our teams with the resources, expertise and opportunities they need to deliver exceptional care and help shape the future of veterinary and pet care.

Purpose

Give pets and the people who love them more quality years together

Mission

Transform the pet family experience to be personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life.

Values

Care Deeply, Do What's Right, One Team, Own It, Shape What's Next

One NVA: Bringing General Practice & Ethos Together

NVA is built to make care personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine across every stage of a pet's life.

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.