Lead Veterinary Technician

Lead Veterinary Technician - Licensed Merrimac Valley Animal Hospital – Amesbury, MA Pay Range: $28-$32/hr depending on experience $2,000 SIGN-ON BONUS for qualified CVTs with a strong technical background and demonstrated experience in team leadership, hospital operations, and surgery/anesthesia. Great technicians deserve a great hospital. At Merrimac Valley Animal Hospital, we believe exceptional patient care starts with a team that feels valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. We know the knowledge, skills, and experience veterinary technicians bring to a hospital make a tremendous difference for our patients, clients and the entire team. We're proud of our collaborative environment, where your expertise is respected, your ideas are welcomed, and your contributions matter. We also take great pride in our commitment to low-stress handling and creating less stressful veterinary visits for our patients. Here, you'll have the opportunity to make an impact, share your knowledge, grow professionally, and work alongside a team that values thoughtful, compassionate patient care. If you're looking for a hospital where you can make a difference and be part of something meaningful, we'd love to meet you. Why you’ll love working here: Since 1968, Merrimac Valley Animal Hospital has earned the trust of our community by combining progressive medicine with genuine compassion. What truly sets us apart is our people. Our experienced doctors, technicians, and support staff work together as a team, creating a positive culture where knowledge is shared, growth is encouraged, and everyone contributes to delivering exceptional patient care. We're proud to be the “Less Stress Vets” practice, utilizing low-stress handling techniques to create a better experience for pets, their families, and our team. Because great medicine and compassionate care go hand in hand. What you'll do: Partner closely with our  Practice Manager and doctors to deliver exceptional patient care in both appointments and surgical settings  Utilize advanced technical skills including venipuncture, catheter placement, laboratory diagnostics, radiology, medication administration, and nursing care.  Perform accurate medical calculations, including drug dosages, CRIs, and anesthetic protocols   Provide compassionate client education and communication, helping families understand treatment recommendations and ongoing care   Advocate for patients through attention to detail, thorough monitoring, and Fear Free, low-stress handling techniques   Collaborate with a highly experienced team to maintain an efficient workflow and exceptional patient experience  Take an active role in surgical and dental procedures, including patient preparation, anesthesia monitoring, recovery, and postoperative care. Perform dental radiographs and provide skilled support with COHATs, including prophylaxis, under the direction of the attending doctor. Perform and support a full range of dental procedures, including obtaining diagnostic dental radiographs, dental charting, and prophylaxis as part of COHATs, while maintaining appropriate anesthetic monitoring and patient care.  What We Are Looking For: Extensive experience leading, mentoring, and developing veterinary technician teams Strong dental technical skills, including proficiency in obtaining diagnostic dental radiographs, dental charting, and performing dental prophylaxis (prophy) as part of COHAT procedures Demonstrated experience overseeing day-to-day technical department workflows Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills Ability to balance hands-on clinical responsibilities with team leadership and oversight A collaborative leader who leads by example and promotes accountability Skilled, confident technician who thrives in both appointments and surgical/dental anesthesia support Comfortable working with a diverse caseload, including exotics (bonus points if you love them already) Strong communicator who connects well with both coworkers and clients Calm under pressure, adaptable, and reliable when things get busy Physically capable of patient handling and on-your-feet clinical work  Team-oriented, positive, and committed to high-quality patient care Advanced proficiency in anesthesia and surgical nursing, including anesthetic induction, monitoring, troubleshooting, recovery, and pain management Confidence and proficiency in supporting a variety of surgical procedures, including anesthetic induction, monitoring, recovery, and pain management Experience with inventory management, including monitoring stock levels, placing orders, tracking usage, managing expiration dates, and maintaining appropriate inventory levels Ability to oversee technical workflows and ensure treatments, procedures, and patient care are completed efficiently and consistently Knowledge of safe medication handling, controlled drug protocols, and accurate medical record documentation Ability to identify opportunities to improve clinical protocols, department organization, and patient care standards Experience training and mentoring team members in technical skills, anesthesia, surgical support, and patient handling Ability to assess team members' technical skills, recognize knowledge gaps, identify training needs, and develop opportunities for continued learning and professional growth A commitment to low-stress patient care, with an understanding of animal behavior and the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to fear, anxiety, and stress Perks & Benefits: $2,000 Sign On Bonus for qualified applicants Uniform and Shoe Reimbursement Generous Employee Discount Employer-paid Short-Term Disability Life Insurance (base + optional buy-up) Employee Assistance Program (Headspace) 401(k) with company match Health, Dental & Vision Insurance options Long-Term Disability Generous Continuing Education support Paid Time Off (sick, personal, vacation, and CE) Team-member discounts on pet care Fertility & family-building support LGBTQIA+ health-care support Digital musculoskeletal/physical therapy program Referral bonus program DailyPay on-demand United Veterinary Care provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws. #ind12