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Licensed Veterinary Technician- Lead - Gig Harbor, WA - $1500 Sign-On Bonus

The Veterinary Technician Lead supports the Hospital Administrator with the daily operations of the hospital. This position is responsible for variety of administrative tasks that ensure smooth operations, medical accuracy, efficiency and effective communication. They assist in developing goals and policies that embody Lakefield's core values. They also help facilitate best practices by all team members to deliver quality, compassionate healthcare to all pets.  Ensures good communication with the clients, veterinarians, CSR. This position acts as a lead and provides guidance and training to the technicians and assistants at the hospital. 

Uptown Animal Hospital is a growing General Practice and Urgent Care Hybrid facility in the beautiful city of Gig Harbor. We are open seven days a week and are an AAHA accredited facility.  Our team is a compassionate group of veterinary professionals that include Urgent Care and General Practice veterinarians, Licensed Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, Kennel assistants and Customer Service representatives who work as a cohesive team, providing quality, compassionate care to the surrounding communities because they love what they do and have fun doing it.  Our clients are loyal, and we boast a high retention rate in our general practice as well as providing urgent care services, should the need arise. We are a full-service hospital providing in-house diagnostics, digital radiology (including dental), ultrasonography, an onsite pharmacy and a state-of-the-art surgical suite. We also provide a feline only waiting area and exam room to limit the stress to our feline patients.  Our lobby provides ample space for our human clients, making them as comfortable as possible during their visit. 

In addition to providing a fun and rewarding workplace, we also offer a wonderful benefit package including 401K with company match, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, annual uniforms provided, competitive salary, CE opportunities, Paid time off and personal pet care discounts.  

If you or someone you know is looking for a long-term position, please submit a resume and cover letter.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Foster a culture built on values: Respect, Learning, Do the Right Thing, WOW Service, and Fun!
• Support a practice environment that promotes collaboration and teamwork to ensure the delivery of quality, compassionate, effective, and efficient health care to pets.
• Comply with all practice policies, quality assurance guidelines, and minimum standards of care. 
• Ability to direct, coach, support, encourage and lead others in a positive and collaborative manner. 
• Ability to handle and maintain sensitive and confidential information with discretion. 
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and take initiative in managing the efficiency of daily operations.
• Advanced knowledge of medical equipment, medical conditions, pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures.
• Strong written, verbal, and active listening communication skills with a customer-oriented approach.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to convey complex technical details to individuals with varying degrees of technical knowledge
• Proactively identify issues and formulate solutions.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.  
• Triage (verbal and written)
• Client education (verbal and written)
• Customer service - phone etiquette, email, and in-person communication must be professional and knowledgeable
• Drug calculations/administration
• Anesthesia; induction, monitoring, pre, and post-operative pain control administration, assisting in surgery
• IV catheter placement
• Phlebotomy, cystocentesis, other laboratory collection methods, and prep.
• Processing in-hour lab samples: Bloodwork, Urinalysis, Cytology
• Knowledge of basic emergency procedures
• Medical record-keeping and invoicing
• Intake and Discharge
• Oversee hospitalized patients and recognize changes in status/condition
• Ability to communicate well with a team and provide status updates to doctors
• All aspects of veterinary nursing care not previously mentioned
• Other tasks as assigned by DVM and/or Hospital Administrator
• Shifts will include weekends, and holidays.
• Lead duties
  • Assist Hospital Administrator with inventory control
  • Provide daily guidance and expertise to other technicians and assistants.
  • Assign doctor teams daily.
  • Oversee the daily duties of technicians and assistants.
  • Hospital compliance and regulatory duties
  • Act as social media liaison (quarterly stipend available)
  • Assign duties and monitor execution to ensure service standards are met
  •  Provide insights to the Hospital Administrator regarding the skill level and performance of the nursing team.
  • Ensure efficient flow to the day's activities including DVM exams, technician appointments, drop offs and surgeries.
  • Ensure proper restraint techniques are practiced using Fear Free principles and that all pets are being treated with compassion. 
  • Equipment maintenance and compliance 
  • Provide training for new technicians and assistants and existing staff.  
  • Complete 10 hours of professional development annually.
  • Perform other duties and projects as requested.

Education/Experience:

•  High school diploma or GED
•  
•  LVT/CVT required

•  Experience with Avimark Software (not required but is preferred

•  High School Diploma or GED

•  Minimum of 5 years of experience as a technician in a Veterinary practice. 

• Emergency or Urgent Care experience is preferred but not required

• 2 to 3 years of experience leading a department or a team

Job Type: Full time

Pay Rate: $28-$35/hour & $1500 Sign-On Bonus after 90 days and in good standing.  Pay is commensurate with experience.

Work Remotely

• No

• Benefits:

  - 401K

  - Health Insurance

  - Dental/Vision Insurance

  - Paid time off

  - Employee Assistance Program

  - Professional Development assistance

  - Employee Discount

  - Medical Clerk License paid

  - Fear Free Certification paid

Uptown Animal Hospital is part of the Lakefield Veterinary Group - a family-owned company that offers support and resources to hospital teams while empowering them to make decisions about how they practice medicine and show up for their communities. Find out more at careers.lakefieldvet.com.