Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician - Dakota Veterinary Center - NY

Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician - Dakota Veterinary Center - NY

Dakota Veterinary Center is seeking an experienced Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician to help guide our technician team, uphold exceptional medical standards, and support smooth day to day hospital operations. This role is ideal for a confident, licensed technician who enjoys mentoring others, leading by example, and taking an active role in both patient care and team success.

This position blends hands on technical excellence with leadership responsibilities and serves as a key partner to the veterinarians and practice manager in maintaining a high performing, well organized hospital.

• Schedule: Full-time with 4 day work week option, reasonable hours, and protected lunch breaks • Salary: $32–$36/hour, commensurate with experience • Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage, 4 weeks PTO + 2 floating holidays, CE and development support, tuition assistance, uniform allowance, discounted pet care, and industry-leading paid parental leave

Our Hospital and Medicine

• Full-service small animal hospital for cats and dogs
• Routine and advanced soft tissue surgery
• Dentistry with digital dental radiography
• In-house laboratory and digital radiography
• IV catheter placement, IV fluids, and full monitoring for all anesthetic patients
• Experienced support staff who play a critical role in patient and client care

About the Role

As the Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician, you will play a critical role in supporting the technician team while ensuring consistent, high quality patient care. You will help set clinical expectations, guide workflow, and support training and development, all while remaining actively involved on the floor. This is a leadership role for someone who enjoys being both a mentor and a doer.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and support the veterinary technician team with a focus on accountability, consistency, and professional growth
• Provide hands on training and coaching on clinical skills, equipment use, protocols, and best practices
• Identify training needs and help coordinate continuing education opportunities to keep the team current and confident
• Serve as a liaison between technicians, veterinarians, and the practice manager to ensure clear communication and alignment
• Mentor team members, provide constructive feedback, and support performance improvement
• Step into a leadership role during emergencies to help guide the team and maintain patient safety
• Ensure the technician team is trained and prepared for emergency response, including CPR readiness

Clinical Support and Oversight

• Maintain a strong clinical presence and support patient care as needed
• Safely handle and restrain animals during exams, treatments, and procedures while guiding staff on proper techniques
• Perform and oversee diagnostic testing including blood work, urinalysis, and radiography
• Administer medications, vaccines, and treatments as prescribed
• Monitor anesthesia, assist with surgical preparation, and ensure proper post-procedure recovery
• Serve as a clinical resource for complex cases, emergencies, or high-pressure situations
• Step in to support the team as needed to maintain patient safety and workflow efficiency
• Assist with daily workflow planning to ensure appropriate coverage and efficient use of staff
• Monitor hospital flow and proactively address inefficiencies or bottlenecks

Inventory, Equipment, and Systems

• Assist with managing medical inventory
• Ensure medical equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and used correctly
• Identify inventory discrepancies and streamline processes to reduce waste and control costs
• Support the practice manager with scheduling and workflow coordination within hospital and budget needs
• Maintain accurate and organized patient medical records
• Ensure compliance with clinic protocols and regulatory standards
• Monitor daily workflows to promote efficiency and a productive hospital environment
• Develop, implement, and monitor medical and operational protocols
• Ensure daily checklists are completed and standards are consistently met
• Identify opportunities for improvement and collaborate with leadership to enhance care and operations

Who We Are Looking For

• Active Licensed Veterinary Technician credential (LVT, RVT, or CVT) with an active New York veterinary technician license
• Three to five or more years of experience working as a veterinary technician
• Graduate of an accredited Veterinary Technology program
• Advanced technical skills including anesthesia monitoring, dentistry and dental radiography, radiology, emergency and critical care, and laboratory procedures
• Strong emotional intelligence with the ability to coach, mentor, and provide feedback effectively
• Proven ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast paced environment
• Confident communicator who works collaboratively across teams
• Self-motivated, organized, and comfortable taking initiative

Schedule and Work Life Balance

• Full-time position
• Four day work week available
• Occasional half day Saturday
• Ability to leave work at a reasonable hour
• Team support that allows for uninterrupted lunch breaks

Compensation + Benefits:

Salary: $32.00-$36.00 an hour, to commensurate with experience.

• Flexible work schedules
• Health Care, Life Insurance, & Disability: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans; employer-paid basic life insurance and voluntary options including AD&D short-term and long-term disability coverage to protect your income during unforeseen events.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all teammates
• Paid Time Off:
  • Four (4) weeks of paid time off for all full-time teammates.
  • Two (2) floating holidays for added flexibility.
• Training & Development:
  • Continuing education opportunities offered to both full-time and part-time teammates.
  • Personalized development programs, including regular check-ins and tailored growth plans, to help you advance in your career.
• Tuition Assistance: Support for paying off student loan debt, available to all full-time teammates.
• Uniform Allowance: $150 per year for full-time teammates to ensure you're equipped with professional attire.
• Discounted Pet Care: Available for both part-time and full-time teammates, helping you provide the best care for your pets.
• Industry Leading Parental Leave Policy:
  • For Birth Parent(s): Up to 14 weeks of paid leave at 100%, which includes:
    • 6–8 weeks of 100% income replacement (40% covered by VIP, 60% by STD).
    • An additional 6 weeks of paid leave at 100% covered by VIP.
  • For Non-Birth Parent(s): 6 weeks of paid leave at 100%, fully covered by VIP.