Veterinary Technician - Surgery Lead

Thrive Pet Healthcare; Florida; On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Employee medical, dental, and vision insurance

Continuing education support

Job summary

Thrive Pet Healthcare is seeking a Veterinary Technician Lead to oversee training and patient care at their facility in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. This full-time role involves developing training programs and directly caring for patients. Candidates must have at least 3 years of experience and Veterinary Technician Level 2 skills.

The position offers extensive benefits including medical insurance, paid time off, and continuing education opportunities. Thrive is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years as a vet assistant or technician in specialty/emergency care.
• Good attendance and a positive personality.
• Basic understanding of canine and feline illnesses.

Responsibilities

• Develop training standards and processes for staff.
• Assist in designing educational materials for training.
• Monitor and care for patients, including performing treatments.

Skills

Veterinary Technician Level 2 skills

Canine/feline restraint techniques

Phlebotomy experience

Team-driven

Problem-solving abilities

Education

Veterinary Technician license (preferred)

Job description

Veterinary Technician Lead – Veterinary Specialty Hospital

Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The Veterinary Specialty Hospital of Palm Beach Gardens, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, offers 24/7 emergency care and advanced specialty services across multiple disciplines.

Role Responsibilities

• Develop and implement training standards, tools, and processes for technical, client‑care, and other departments.
• Assist in designing educational aids and materials for staff training.
• Lead new‑hire training for assigned trainees on the treatment floor.
• Conduct organization‑wide training needs assessment and identify knowledge or skill gaps.
• Evaluate training effectiveness and recommend future training programs.
• Communicate training status of new employees to the Hospital Director.
• Work a variety of shifts as needed for staffing and training.
• Monitor and care for patients, including animal restraint, anesthesia monitoring, catheter placement, phlebotomy, and performing treatments.
• Apply anesthetic protocols for emergency and specialty patients.
• Operate in‑house lab machines and send out lab samples.
• Position and take radiographs and coordinate remote interpretation.
• Perform triage for new consultations and rechecks, discuss estimates for diagnostics, procedures, and/or treatments with clients.
• Support all surgery procedures and processes.
• Train assistants and technicians at all levels, including advanced skills such as ventilator operation, placement of central lines, sampling catheters, urinary catheters, and feeding tubes.
• Maintain hospital equipment and provide nursing care for ER and specialty patients.
• Assist the Hospital Director in evaluating technicians and assistants.
• Communicate performance feedback to nursing staff.
• Model the culture and values of Thrive and VSH.

Experience & Skills Requirements

• Veterinary Technician Level 2 skills required (license preferred).
• Proficient in canine/feline restraint techniques.
• Phlebotomy experience (basic blood draws).
• At least 3 years of experience as a vet assistant or technician in specialty/emergency care.
• Good attendance and positive personality.
• Team‑driven and able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Flexible to scheduling needs up to 29 hrs weekly and willing to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and be on call.
• Basic understanding of canine and feline illnesses and client service skills.
• Problem‑solving abilities and professionalism.

Competencies

• Great attitude, motivated, compassionate, and detail‑oriented.
• Technical capacity and strategic/forward thinking.
• Decision making and communication proficiency.
• Ethical conduct, collaboration skills, and conflict resolution.

Work Environment

Veterinary hospital setting with exposure to industry‑specific equipment, animals, chemicals, and disease hazards. Standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and printers are used.

Physical Demands

Requires at least 10 hours of walking/standing/crouching/bending, lifting/pushing/pulling of 1–50 lbs, and sedentary work.

Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work

Full‑time; evening, weekend, and holiday work as required; availability by phone/email for emergencies; on‑call for emergency surgical procedures.

You’ll Grow With Us

Access to continuing education, leadership workshops, distance learning programs, scholarship opportunities, and tuition reimbursement.

Benefits – Our Care In Action

• Paid time off, 8‑week full‑pay parental leave, bereavement leave, and leave for new pet adoptions.
• Top‑quality medical, dental, vision insurance, HSAs, and FSAs.
• Pet perks including free exams and discounts at all Thrive Pet Healthcare locations.
• Subsidized backup and ongoing care support for children, adults, and pets.
• Mental health benefits, including coaching and therapy.
• 401(k) with employer contribution and no waiting period.
• Continuing education support and paid time off for CE courses.
• Scholarship opportunities and student loan support program.

Thrive Pet Healthcare celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strive to create a culture where all team members belong and feel empowered.