Lead Surgical Veterinary Technician

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

• Maintains all competencies, expectations, responsibilities, and performance standards outlined in the LVT Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 job descriptions.
• 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.
• Absorb and apply new policies, protocols, and workflow changes within the surgical department.
• 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 dependent on skills and experience