Vet Tech Surgical Specialist-Mentorship Pgrm

Job Description

Job Description

Operation Kindness Humane Society is seeking a Vet Tech Surgical Specialist-Mentorship Program to join our team! Operation Kindness Human Society is a pioneer in Texas for assisting animals in need of veterinary care, companionship and most of all, a home.

We offer a competitive salary with an excellent benefit package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 403b plan, generous PTO, paid holidays and more!

The schedule is Tuesday-Friday 7am-6pm

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP : Surgical Operations Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW : The Vet Tech Surgical Specialist – Mentorship Program plays a pivotal role in delivering high-quality surgical care while supporting a dynamic training environment for rotating visiting veterinarians. Reporting to the Surgical Operations Manager and partnering closely with the Director of Veterinary Mentorships (DVM), this experienced technician provides advanced anesthesia monitoring, surgical assistance, and real-time guidance in a high-volume, high-quality (HVHQ) surgical setting. With new mentee cohorts arriving weekly, the Specialist serves as a consistent technical anchor—modeling best practices, reinforcing surgical flow and safety protocols, and adapting instruction to the needs of each learner. This role requires exceptional clinical skill, strong communication, and the ability to maintain efficiency and calm in a fast-paced surgical training environment.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES :

Surgical Support & Patient Care

• Perform all aspects of surgical preparation, including patient intake, examinations, pre-operative care, and induction.
• Demonstrate advanced proficiency in anesthesia monitoring and intraoperative decision-making, modeling calm, confident, and evidence-based practices during high-volume surgical days.
• Serve as a primary technical expert and on-the-floor resource for visiting veterinarians, providing guidance on HVHQ surgical flow, anesthesia best practices, and patient safety.
• Maintain strong situational awareness of the surgical suite, anticipating needs, preventing bottlenecks, and ensuring smooth workflow for both staff and rotating learners
• Support post-operative monitoring, pain management, and recovery protocols.
• Maintain accurate surgical and anesthesia records per organizational and regulatory requirements.
• Takes all necessary precautions and follows shelter policies to ensure that animals are not unduly exposed to illness or injury.
• Dispenses mediations and gives injections in accordance with shelter and veterinary guidelines and government regulations.
• Performs clinical laboratory procedures such as fecal exams, urinalyses, fungal cultures, heartworm checks; draws blood for laboratory analysis.
• Assist with daily surgical scheduling, patient flow, and preparation of surgical areas.
• Set up, clean, and break down assigned areas during each shift.
• Ensure all surgical equipment and instruments are cleaned, sterilized, and ready for use.
• Monitor inventory of medications, consumables, and surgical supplies; alert leadership when replenishment is needed.
• Report equipment concerns to the Surgical Operations Manager and assist with routine maintenance tasks.
• Model proper surgical and anesthesia protocols for visiting veterinarians and new technicians.
• Provide guidance and answers to routine questions about equipment use, workflows, and patient prep.
• Help create a supportive, encouraging environment for trainees and program participants.
• Provide a compassionate environment for animals and clients receiving services
• Preps and sterilizes surgery packs, does laundry, cleans animal kennels, and completes other cleaning duties, as required.
• Document all drug logs and patient activity and information in accurate records in accordance with Operation Kindness protocol.
• Perform humane euthanasia, as needed, after successful completion of required certification course.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Adapt quickly to new cohorts of weekly mentees, ensuring consistent instruction, clear communication, and a supportive training environment for each rotation.
• Provides clients with medical records of procedures and vaccinations administered at Operation Kindness.
• Counsels clients as needed on animal care, explaining dosages/purpose of medications being sent home and reinforcing home care follow-up treatments and care; ensures that conversations are on a level that is easily understood by non-veterinarians; makes client feels welcome in asking questions.
• Communicate clearly with the Surgical Operations Manager regarding workflow, patient status, and resource needs.
• Work closely with the Director of Veterinary Mentorships to align daily operations with program training goals.
• Support the shelter operations team by assisting with medical or surgical needs related to shelter animals as requested.
• Contribute to a positive team culture rooted in compassion, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Support cross-departmental communication related to patient or trainee needs as appropriate.

• Reports suspicion of animal abuse or neglect to a manager or above immediately.
• Reports any unsafe working conditions to a manager or above immediately.
• Maintains client, donor, volunteer and staff confidentiality at all times.
• Follows Standard Precautions and other safety regulations at all times .
• Completes all necessary and requested training in a timely manner in accordance with shelter policy.
• Attends staff meetings .
• Participates in shelter events as requested by Supervisor.
• Performs all other duties as assigned/required.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent; Veterinary Technician Certification desirable but not required.
• Fluent in English
• Applicant must acquire Certified Euthanasia Training within 3 months of hire.

• 5+ years of Veterinary Technician experience, including a minimum of 2 years in a surgical or anesthesia-focused veterinary setting
• Experience teaching, training, or high-volume surgical environment is a plus.

Technical Skill Requirements:

• Strong knowledge of anesthesia, surgical preparation, aseptic technique, and patient monitoring.
• Proven proficiency in setting catheters and ability to draw blood with ease and accuracy
• Ability to intubate successfully and independently
• Extensive knowledge of diseases, conditions and medications
• Proven ability to correctly decipher issues (medical and otherwise) and identify resolutions independently
• Proven ability to prepare animals and equipment for specialty surgeries independently
• Proven ability to correctly and confidently communicate medical information to a wide variety of people, including customers, co-workers, volunteers and donors
• Extensive knowledge of and proven ability in xray techniques, positions and safety awareness
• Extensive knowledge of preventive care, including vaccines

Personal Requirements:

• Ability to provide patient care with compassion, precision, and attention to safety.
• Comfort assisting in a learning environment with visiting veterinarians and trainees.
• Proven customer service skills
• Proven ability to maintain composure in a wide variety of settings
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, especially in fast-paced environments.
• Feels and expresses a genuine liking for animals and for working in an animal care environment.
• Supports Operation Kindness’s mission and understands how it is organized and functions as a non-profit organization.
• Is able to work equally well with paid staff members, clients and volunteers.
• Is able to relate well to persons with varied backgrounds and beliefs.
• Has a positive attitude; is open to new ideas.
• Must be eligible to be a driver for Operation Kindness.
• Physical Effort: Position requires lifting and carrying animals and shelter materials weighting up to 40 lbs; when animals or materials weigh over 40 lbs, another staff member will assist in the lifting and carrying. Position also requires sitting or standing for extended periods of time and speaking over the telephone.
• Working conditions: May be exposed to temperature variations, chemicals, unpleasant odors, noises, and animal feces. May be exposed to bites, scratches, and zoonotic diseases. Schedule is subject to varying shifts (days, evenings) including weekends and/or holidays.

A background check and drug screen is a part of the hiring process at Operation Kindness.

Operation Kindness is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristic or status.