Lead Surgery Technician (RVT or VTS)

Company: Evolution Veterinary Specialists
Location: Lakewood
Posted on: May 2, 2025

Job Description:

Lead Surgery Technician (RVT or VTS)



Hourly Payrate: $27.00 - $42.00 per hour (Dependent on Skill Set and Experience)

EVS asks all RVT candidates to complete a Technician Leveling Test during the interview process. This test measures math skills, critical thinking, and medication administration for RVT levels I, II & III.



Job Summary:

The Lead Surgery Technician is a highly skilled, working veterinary technician who serves as an extension of the department Surgeon(s) in delivering exceptional surgical and patient care. This role includes active involvement in client communication-such as sharing diagnostic results and procedural updates as directed-coordinating surgical cases, and assisting in both the short- and long-term management of complex surgical patients. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of the conditions commonly treated by the Surgery service and demonstrates a passion for ongoing learning and technical development. They are expected to have proficiency handling in a wide range of procedures, including orthopedic surgeries (TPLO, MPL, FHO, fracture repair, amputations) and soft tissue procedures (organ biopsy, liver lobectomy, splenectomy, PDA repair, lung lobectomy, and mass removals). In addition to surgical case management, the Lead Surgery Technician brings advanced skills in anesthesia, emergency care, laboratory diagnostics, patient nursing, and client education to help ensure a high standard of care across the board.

In addition to their clinical responsibilities, the Lead Surgery Technician is instrumental in supporting the daily operations of the surgical team. In partnership with the Specialty Supervisor and under the guidance of the Surgeon, this technician helps coordinate and guide the surgery support staff during working hours-serving as a reliable resource and example for other technicians and assistants. They contribute meaningfully to cultivating a collaborative, respectful, and supportive environment that empowers team members and encourages professional growth. While this position does not carry formal supervisory responsibilities, it holds a key leadership presence in the department-helping to drive teamwork, accountability, and a shared commitment to surgical excellence and patient care.

Education & Experience:

Required: Active RVT or VTS license and Registration with DORA.

Required: 3+ years' experience as RVT; 2+ years in SX preferred.

Required: RVT Level II or III (per EVS hospital standards).

Preferred: College (AS/BS/BA).

Preferred: VTS in Surgery or Anesthesia and Analgesia.

Preferred: BLS/ALS CPR certifications.



Technician Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Greet clients, obtain thorough patient history, and obtain body weights and vital signs.

Understand patient assessments, normal vitals and alerting DVM when abnormal

Assist the Surgeon with patient assessments, diagnostics, and treatments, anticipating needs during procedures.

Obtain high-quality radiographic images to be used for orthopedic surgery planning.

Perform, recognize, and interpret abnormalities on basic diagnostics such as BG, PCV, TS, glucometer, lactate, and ketometer; notifying the DVM as necessary.

Operate all in-house lab equipment, including IDEXX, Heska, and Abaxis machines.

Perform venipuncture for peripheral IV catheters and diagnostic sampling.

Administer medications IV, IM, SQ, and PO with proper technique and accuracy.

Calculate drug dosages, additives (KCl, dextrose), and CRIs including fentanyl, Reglan, and pressors; demonstrate strong knowledge of medical math.

Place, maintain, and troubleshoot IV and central line catheters, with preference for proficiency but acceptable working knowledge.

Perform bladder expressions and urinary catheter placements in male dogs, and familiarity with female urinary catheterization.

Obtain urine samples via ultrasound-guided cystocentesis or urinary catheter.

Set up and maintain snyder/oxygen cages, familiarity with changing soda lime, drying out drip trays, and synder kennel patient set up/breakdown.

Prepare diagnostic samples for outside laboratories, including reference laboratories and universities.

Create anesthetic plans for patients of ASA status I-V for DVM approval.

Anesthesia induction, intubation, monitoring, and recovery of patients undergoing procedures, recognizing concerns/abnormalities with ETCO2, SpO2, ECG, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate; independently run anesthesia on ASA I-III patients and assist or preference for proficiency in running anesthesia with ASA IV-V cases.

Patient preparation prior to surgical procedures including clipping hair, asceptic preparation of skin, and proper positioning on OR table.

Open surgical packs while maintaining sterility.

Set up and troubleshoot anesthesia machines, ventilators, ForceTriad, suction units, and cautery tools during procedures.

Prep and troubleshoot laparoscopic and arthroscopic towers and instruments.

Clean, maintain, wrap and sterilize surgical instruments utilizing ultrasonic cleaner, autoclave, and gas sterilizer.

Thoroughly clean ORs following surgical procedures.

Performance of advanced diagnostic imaging with computed tomography and fluoroscopy.

Care of hospitalized patients and patients undergoing outpatient procedures.

Capable of completing blood typing, cross-matching, and transfusion monitoring.

Assist with advanced procedures including thoracocentesis, abdominocentesis, arthrocentesis, and fine needle aspirates.

Demonstrate understanding of nerve blocks and their indications in pain management.

Communicate effectively with clients, providing education and support regarding patient care and treatment plans.

Knowledge of commonly used medications and potential side effects associated with them.

Confidently discuss treatment plans and associated costs with clients.

Maintain a clean, organized, and safe hospital environment, including proper use of cleaning and sterilization techniques.

Accurately and consistently enter charges for the department, monitoring charges for hospitalized patients and updating estimates.

Utilize digital treatment sheets (Instinct) accurately to document treatments performed for hospitalized patients and patients having procedures.

Demonstrate ability to create sedation and anesthesia consent forms and collect electronic signatures.

Round confidently with team members, giving and receiving patient reports in a clear and organized manner.

Proficient in CPR protocols and roles including chest compressions, intubation, ventilation, drug administration, ECG use, and recording.

Maintain Cubex proficiency with minimal discrepancies.

Lead Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Schedule and complete monthly 1:1 meetings with guidance from the Specialty Supervisor.

Provide necessary feedback to Specialty Supervisor for annual reviews as needed.

Monitor schedules in Paycor and hold team members accountable to their posted schedules.

Assist with monitoring department appointment schedules.

Routine auditing of invoices, client communications, and follow-up recommendations from the veterinarians.

Working knowledge of Instinct and workflow for the surgery department and ICU and ER.

Manage workflow of department and coordinate with other departments for care of surgery patients.

Ensure timely communication with clients.

Awareness of department and hospital Zulip messages and respond accordingly.

Assist in the onboard training of new hires.

Lead team huddles routinely during shifts.

Provide training for staff looking for learning opportunities within the surgery department.

Provide coaching for any team member that requires additional support in regard to client and/or coworker interactions.

Assist with client complaints.

Assist with interdepartmental communication issues.

Inform supervisor of any staff issues that may need to be escalated.

Notify supervisor of any equipment maintenance needed.

Attend all required department and staff meetings.

Support Specialty Supervisor in implementing hospital/department policies and procedures.

Provide necessary feedback to Specialty Supervisor for annual reviews as needed.

Other duties as assigned; this list is not exhaustive, and employer reserves the right to assign additional tasks and responsibilities as needed.



Other Lead Necessities & Qualifications:

Clear and consistent communication with team and Supervisor.

Time management and organization.

High attention to detail.

Multitask with ease.

Confidence in working independently when needed and completing strict deadlines.

Open to collaboration with department(s), other department leads, doctors, and administrative staff.

Capacity to put personal biases aside to be an active listener and support in brainstorming solutions.

Ready and willing to hold team members and yourself accountable.

Prioritize safety and care in operating all equipment and handling all species of patients.

Strong emotional intelligence and de-escalation skills (client and staff).

Proactive in seeking learning opportunities to grow as a leader and as a surgery technician.

Knowledge of OSHA and AAHA standards and regulations.



Schedule Expectations:

A full-time EVS employee averages at least 36 hours per work week.

Hours can vary based on the schedule of the Internist. Some holidays, weekends, swing shifts, overnights, and on-calls may be necessary to fill the needs of the hospital and service.

A typical schedule for a Specialty RVT consists of 4 x 10 hour shifts weekly.

Opportunities for on-call & overtime with management approval.

Reports to: Specialty Supervisor and Technician Manager

Employment Status: Full-Time

Supervisory Role: No

Leadership Role: Yes



About the hospital:

EVS is a privately owned veterinary hospital, founded with dedication to patient care and providing all team members with opportunities for growth and job fulfillment. Unlike most corporate owned hospitals, you will work daily with the hospital owners and management who are committed to the hospital as well as your professional success.

Mission statement: To provide elevated specialty and emergency veterinary care, fostering a compassionate and collaborative environment that supports pets and the people who care for them.

Core values: BRITE: Best Medicine, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Empathy.



Evolution Veterinary Specialists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone. Compensation details: 27-42PI40377e2234cc-37820-37423561

Keywords: Evolution Veterinary Specialists, Lakewood , Lead Surgery Technician (RVT or VTS), Professions , Lakewood, Colorado