Lead Veterinary Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $25-$38/hour

Lead Veterinary Technician

High-Volume Spay/Neuter Clinic

NYS License Required Non-Licensed Applicants Will Not Be Considered

Join Our High-Volume Spay/Neuter Team at SPCA Westchester

SPCA Westchesters Codys Clinic is a high-volume spay/neuter (HVSN) practice and is seeking an experienced, New York State Licensed Veterinary Technician to serve as lead technician on our surgical team. This is a hands on, high autonomy role for a licensed technician who is confident running anesthesia independently while our veterinarians work back to back in the OR.

This is not an entry level position.

In an HVSN setting, the veterinarian is scrubbed in and operating continuously. Our lead technician is responsible for keeping the anesthesia and surgical pipeline moving safely and efficiently with minimal direct veterinarian oversight. If you are not comfortable making independent anesthetic decisions on healthy and ASA II patients, this role is not the right fit.

You Will Be Supported by a Full Team

The lead technician anchors the surgical floor but does not work alone. The role is supported by a team of veterinary assistants who handle patient preparation and assist with anesthesia and a dedicated team of trained volunteers who help monitor and recover patients post-operatively. Your job is to lead and oversee the anesthetic side of the workflow, not to do every task yourself.

Core Responsibilities

• Independently execute anesthetic protocols across a high-volume daily caseload of canine and feline spay/neuter patients
• Perform pre-anesthetic patient assessment, premedication, induction, intubation, and maintenance
• Place IV catheters when indicated
• Monitor anesthesia and adjust depth, fluid rates, and supportive care during surgery without requiring step-by-step direction
• Oversee recovery and extubation alongside the assistant and volunteer team; recognize and respond to anesthetic complications
• Calculate and draw up drugs (premeds, induction agents, analgesics, reversals, emergency drugs) accurately under HVSN time pressure
• Maintain accurate anesthesia records and controlled substance logs in compliance with NYS regulations
• Direct and mentor veterinary assistants and volunteers within the surgical workflow
• Maintain surgical instrument processing, autoclave function, and OR readiness between procedures
• Communicate clearly and concisely with the veterinarian during cases flag concerns early, escalate appropriately

Required Qualifications (Non-Negotiable)

• Active New York State Veterinary Technician license (LVT).Applications from non-licensed candidates, veterinary assistants, or candidates outside the veterinary field will not be reviewed.
• Minimum 3 years of clinical experience as a licensed veterinary technician, with substantial anesthesia caseload
• Demonstrated competence running anesthesia independently premedication through recovery on a high-volume surgical schedule
• Proficiency with endotracheal intubation (including feline), multiparameter anesthetic monitoring, and IV catheter placement when indicated
• Working knowledge of common HVSN anesthetic protocols (e.g., TTDex, BAM, ketamine/dexmedetomidine combinations) and reversal agents
• Strong understanding of pharmacology, CPR/CPCR, and emergency drug dosing

Preferred

• Prior HVSN or shelter medicine experience
• VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) or active progress toward it
• Fear Free or low-stress handling certification

Schedule

• Full-time preferred
• Part-time considered for the right licensed candidate

Compensation $25-38/hour to commensurate with experience and certifications.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• Health, Dental, Vision Benefits
• 401K with match
• Supplemental Benefits(accident, cancer, hospital)
• Potential PSLF eligibility
• Discounted Pet Care

About SPCA Westchester

SPCA Westchester is a no-kill, 501(c)3 not-for-profit animal welfare organization. Our HVSN program is a core part of our mission to reduce shelter intake and improve animal welfare across the region. Every surgery our team completes has a direct, measurable community impact.

SPCA Westchester is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.