Lead Surgery LVT

Lead Surgery Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
Puget Sound Veterinary Specialty & Emergency (PSVSE) | Gig Harbor, WA

You’ve mastered the skills—now lead the standard.
If you’re an experienced surgical LVT ready to step into leadership, drive efficiency, and mentor others while working alongside a board-certified surgeon; this is your next move.

At Puget Sound Veterinary Specialty & Emergency (PSVSE), our surgery team is built on precision, collaboration, and a commitment to gold standard patient care. As our Lead Surgery LVT, you will play a critical role in shaping the day-to-day success of the department; supporting complex surgical cases while elevating team performance, training, and workflow.

Our mission is to deliver exceptional emergency and specialty veterinary care with compassion, innovation, and accountability at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to gold standard medicine while fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous learning.

We grow together by asking questions, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another. Every patient, client, and team interaction is an opportunity to educate, uplift, and provide care with integrity and excellence. Together, we strive to set the standard in veterinary care—every day, for every life we touch.

Schedule & Compensation
• Sunday–Tuesday schedule (aligned with surgery service needs)
• Combination of appointments and surgical case days
• Pay Range: $38–$42/hour (based on experience)
• Additional leadership stipend provided
• Eligible for performance-based bonus
• Stay-late bonus available for add-on or extended surgical cases

Position Summary
As the Lead Surgery LVT, you will serve as both a highly skilled technician and a department leader; driving surgical workflow, supporting advanced anesthesia and procedures, and mentoring the next generation of technicians.

This role requires expert-level anesthesia knowledge, strong leadership skills, and the ability to balance hands-on patient care with team development and operational efficiency. You will work closely with our board-certified surgeon and Nursing Supervisor to ensure the surgery department is operating at the highest level.

This position embodies our core values in action; leading with compassion, fostering inclusion, taking accountability, embracing innovation, and delivering gold standard patient care with precision and excellence.

What You’ll Do

Clinical Excellence
• Oversee and perform advanced anesthesia for complex surgical procedures
• Utilize advanced analgesia and anesthesia protocols
• Operate and manage ventilators during anesthesia
• Support a wide range of surgical cases including orthopedic, soft tissue, and emergency procedures
• Run anesthesia for CT imaging cases
• Ensure high standards of patient monitoring, safety, and recovery

Leadership & Team Development
• Train and mentor LVTs and assistants on surgical and anesthesia skills
• Support onboarding and skill development for new team members
• Provide real-time coaching and feedback to elevate team performance
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable team culture

Operations & Workflow
• Drive daily surgical caseload and optimize scheduling flow
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and patient throughput
• Partner with the Nursing Supervisor on workflow improvements and CE initiatives
• Assist in developing and refining protocols and SOPs
• Ensure surgical suite organization, readiness, and compliance with standards

Collaboration & Communication
• Work closely with ER and specialty departments to coordinate surgical cases
• Communicate effectively with clients regarding procedures and aftercare
• Maintain clear, accurate, and thorough medical records

Case Variety & Experience
This role offers exposure to a diverse and advanced caseload, including:
• Orthopedic procedures (TPLO, fracture repair, arthroscopy)
• Soft tissue surgeries (foreign bodies, mass removals, wound repairs)
• Advanced procedures (liver lobectomies, splenectomies, exploratory surgeries)
• Emergency surgical interventions
• CT imaging with anesthesia support

What We’re Looking For
• Active Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) credential required
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a specialty anesthesia setting required
(surgery-focused experience strongly preferred)
• Previous leadership or mentorship experience preferred
• Advanced knowledge of anesthesia, analgesia, and ventilator use
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Ability to lead by example in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment
• Excellent communication and team-building skills
• Passion for teaching, coaching, and developing others
• A commitment to our core values:

• Compassion – caring deeply for patients, clients, and each other
• Inclusion – ensuring every team member feels heard and valued
• Accountability – taking ownership and driving growth
• Innovation – continuously improving processes and patient care
• Gold Standard Patient Care – treating every patient as if they were your own

Benefits & Perks
We believe in supporting our leaders so they can support their teams:
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance (including leadership development opportunities)
• Annual scrub allowance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 6 Paid Holidays
• Personal pet discount
• Employer-paid life and AD&D insurance
• Voluntary benefits including long-term care, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity coverage

Pay Rate: $38-$40 per hour plus a leadership stipend and sign-on bonus

Why PSVSE
This is more than a lead role; it’s an opportunity to shape a department, mentor a team, and play a key role in delivering exceptional surgical care.

At PSVSE, leadership means collaboration, growth, and impact. If you’re ready to step into a role where your expertise is valued and your leadership truly makes a difference; we’d love to meet you.

For more information about our hospital, please visit pugetsoundvetspecialists.com.

To apply, please contact Christine Erickson at christine.erickson@lakefieldvet.com or apply at careers.lakefieldvet.com.

ABOUT LAKEFIELD VETERINARY GROUP 

We believe exceptional veterinary care starts with exceptional people.  

We partner with hospitals across the country to preserve what makes each practice special - its people, culture, and connection to community - while providing the operational support and resources that allow teams to thrive.  

As we grow, we are committed to creating an environment where team members feel respected, supported, and empowered to deliver outstanding care. 

Our Values 

Our culture is built on five core values that guide how we work and serve: 

• Respect 

• Learning 

• Do the Right Thing 

• Wow Service 

• Fun 

If these resonate with you, you’ll fit right in. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Lakefield Veterinary Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members and applicants.