Veterinary Technician - Specialty Surgical Lead

Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center, a VECCS Level 1 Certified Hospital in Middletown, CT, is seeking an experienced Veterinary Technician – Specialty Surgical Lead to guide our Surgery Department in a fast-paced specialty environment. We are looking for a proven leader with a strong background in specialty medicine who excels under pressure and is passionate about advancing patient safety, pain management, and team excellence through evidence-based anesthesia protocols and compassionate, accountable leadership.

Our vision is to create a healthier, happier community for both the animals we care for and the people who love them. If you have a background in veterinary medicine and the leadership skills to support a growing, dedicated hospital team, we would love to hear from you.

What To Expect

• Commitment to Continuing Education: Numerous in-house CE opportunities and mentoring to support your career goals.
• Career Advancement: Recognition of top talent and strong work ethic with opportunities for promotion.
• Environment of Belonging: Inclusivity and opportunities to find your fit among multiple specialties.
• Environment of Collaboration: Work alongside specialists in Emergency & Critical Care, Neurology, Internal Medicine, Radiology, Oncology, Surgery, and Exotics, as well as experienced Emergency and Primary Care Veterinarians.

About You

We are seeking an experienced Veterinary Technician to serve as our Surgery Department Lead, a clinical shift leader who combines advanced expertise in specialty anesthesia and multimodal analgesia with strong operational and mentorship responsibilities. In this role, you will:

• Lead daily surgical workflow while managing peri-anesthetic care of complex patients, including pre-operative risk stratification.
• Perform advanced patient monitoring (capnography, invasive blood pressure, ECG, and pulse oximetry).
• Calculate and administer precise drug dosages, execute epidurals, regional nerve blocks, and constant rate infusions (CRIs) for optimal pain control.
• Collaborate with board-certified surgeons and anesthesiologists to anticipate complications, troubleshoot equipment, and adjust anesthetic plans in real-time.
• Mentor and develop junior technicians and assistants, reinforce SOPs, coordinate case flow, and ensure operational readiness.

Leadership Expectations

• Accountability and integrity
• Professionalism and respect
• Effective communication
• Clinical excellence
• Adaptability and sound judgment
• Collaboration across departments
• Commitment to exceptional patient and client care

Team Leadership And Staff Development

• Provide day-to-day guidance and mentorship.
• Communicate expectations clearly and consistently.
• Support onboarding, competency training, and technical development.
• Assist with interviews, working interviews, hiring recommendations, onboarding, and orientation of new employees.
• Contribute to introductory evaluations, performance documentation, and annual review input in collaboration with the Surgery Supervisor.
• Reinforce SOPs and hospital policies.
• Escalate performance concerns to the Supervisor.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and professionalism.

Schedule

This is a full-time position with the following options:

• 4- or 5-day schedule with a rotating Saturday shift
• Tuesday–Friday: 10-hour shifts
• Tuesday–Saturday: 8-hour shifts

Holidays are required.

Pay

$25.50–$31.00 an hour, depending on experience and education.

Benefits

• Supportive culture with social events and team building
• Competitive paid time off and holidays
• Career growth and training opportunities
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Mental health-focused services
• Safe Harbor 401K with up to a 4% match and immediate vesting
• Generous employee pet care discount
• Annual uniform allowance

Requirements

• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and leadership experience may be considered.
• Previous leadership experience preferred.
• Veterinary hospital experience required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• Flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call responsibilities as operational needs require.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and problem-solving abilities.
• Veterinary technical proficiency.
• Ability to coach others professionally.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Computer proficiency.
• Commitment to compassionate patient and client care.
• Must be 18 years or older to apply.