Veterinary Technician - Surgery Lead

Overview Palm Beach Gardens – Veterinary Specialty Hospital of Palm Beach Gardens, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, is part of a network of 400 clinics that provides 24/7 emergency care and advanced specialty services including Critical Care, Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Surgery, and Orthopedics. We are committed to empowering care for pets, their families, and caregivers through learning, career growth, comprehensive benefits, and strong team support. Description We are seeking a Veterinary Technician Lead to join Veterinary Specialty Hospital of Palm Beach Gardens as part of the Thrive Pet Healthcare community. The role involves end-to-end care for patients, including hands-on care, outpatient treatments, laboratory testing, and support services such as admitting and discharging patients. You will work under the supervision of the Hospital Director. Responsibilities Work with the administrative team to develop standards, tools and processes within training programs and map out annual training plans for technical, client care, and other departments to support organizational goals. Assist in designing, preparing, and identifying educational aids and materials to support staff training. Lead new hire training for assigned trainees on the treatment floor. Conduct organization-wide training needs assessments and identify skills or knowledge gaps. Collaborate with the Hospital Director to evaluate training effectiveness and recommend future programs. Utilize education principles and stay up to date on new training methods; communicate training status to the Hospital Director. Work a variety of shifts as needed for staffing and training. Demonstrate attention to detail and maintain veterinary technician skills, including: Able to monitor and care for patients; nursing skills including animal restraint, anesthesia monitoring, catheter placement, phlebotomy, and performing treatments. Experience with in-house lab machines and sending samples out; knowledge of radiography positioning and interpretation processes. Knowledge of anesthetic protocols for emergencies and specialty patients; triage for new consultations and rechecks; ability to discuss estimates with clients. Understanding of all Surgery procedures and processes; strong medical terminology and knowledge of common disease processes and emergencies. Ability to train assistants and technicians at all levels, including advanced skills such as ventilator operation, central lines, sampling catheters, urinary catheters, and feeding tubes. Assist with cleaning, stocking, and proper care of hospital equipment. Maintain good communication with clients and provide nursing care for ER and specialty patients. Knowledge and experience with CT Scans is a plus. Collaborate with the Hospital Director to assist evaluations of technicians and assistants; provide feedback to nursing staff; uphold Thrive and VSH values. Experience & Skills Requirements License preferred but not required; Veterinary Technician Level 2 skills required Proper canine/feline restraint techniques Phlebotomy experience (basic blood draws) At least 3 years’ experience as a vet assistant or technician in specialty/emergency settings preferred Good attendance and positive personality Team-driven; ability to lift up to 50 lbs Flexible scheduling up to 29 hours weekly; willingness to learn and participate in collaborative discussions Basic understanding of canine and feline illnesses; comfortable with client service; problem-solving abilities Professionalism in all interactions Competencies Great attitude; motivated, compassionate, and detail-oriented Technical capacity; strategic/forward thinking; decision making Strong communication and ethical conduct Collaboration and conflict resolution Work Environment This job operates in a veterinary hospital setting with the risks typical of handling industry-specific equipment, treating clients, and exposure to disease and specialty care. Normal use of standard office equipment is required. Physical Demands The position requires at least 10 hours of walking/standing/crouching/bending, lifting/pushing/pulling up to 50 lbs, and other sedentary work as applicable. Position Type / Hours This is a full-time position. Evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required as job duties demand; on-call availability for emergencies and staff inquiries is required. You’ll Grow With Us Access to comprehensive learning and skillset programs, including ThriveU continuing education, live virtual workshops, and a program to teach the fundamentals of running a pet hospital. Eligible for AVMA-CVTEA accredited paths, scholarships, and tuition reimbursement. Benefits – Our Care In Action Benefits support mental, physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing, including: Paid time off including 8 weeks of full-pay parental leave, bereavement, and time off for new pet adoptions Medical, dental, and vision insurance with HSAs/FSAs Pet perks including free exams and discounts at 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 Continuing education and development support with paid time off for CE Scholarship opportunities and student loan support At Thrive Pet Healthcare, we celebrate diversity and strive to create a culture where all team members belong, are empowered, and can contribute their best. #J-18808-Ljbffr