Hollymead Veterinary Hospital offers General Practice and Urgent Care services to companion animals in Charlottesville, Virginia. Formerly known as VETSS (Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialty Services), our hospital has provided emergency services to the Charlottesville community for over 30 years. In 2018, as the landscape of veterinary care evolved, we began shifting towards urgent care and general practice services.
Our team is dedicated to both pets and their owners, and we pride ourselves on delivering medical excellence and patient-centered care in a comforting environment. We have several team members that are Fear-Free certified, led by a people-focused Practice Manager!
Position Summary:
The Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician plays a key leadership role in supporting veterinarians and the medical support team to ensure the delivery of high-quality, compassionate patient care. This position provides advanced technical expertise while also mentoring and developing team members, ensuring consistency in medical standards, safety protocols, and operational efficiency.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provide coaching, mentorship, and training to veterinary technicians and assistants to promote skill growth, efficiency, and engagement.
- Assist with hiring, onboarding, training, and mentoring new team members.
- Partner with leadership to schedule staff appropriately based on case load and skills.
- Serve as a clinical resource and role model for best practices in patient care, anesthesia monitoring, and client communication.
- Assist veterinarians during examinations, treatments, and surgical procedures, ensuring proper restraint, preparation, and patient monitoring.
- Perform advanced technical procedures including venipuncture, intubation, anesthesia induction and monitoring, dental prophylaxis, and laboratory diagnostics.
- Administer medications, vaccines, and treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian, following all DEA and OSHA regulations.
- Operate and maintain diagnostic equipment such as radiology and ultrasound systems, adhering to safety and quality control protocols.
- Support accurate and thorough medical recordkeeping, charge capture, and client education documentation.
- Partner with the Practice Manager to oversee inventory control, ordering, and vendor relations.
- Monitor equipment maintenance and ensure readiness for medical and surgical use.
- Identify workflow improvement opportunities to enhance efficiency and client experience.
- Assist with implementing hospital policies and procedures to maintain compliance and quality standards.
- Lead by example in maintaining a clean, organized, and safe hospital environment.
- Provide compassionate and professional client education regarding treatment plans, preventative care, medications, and products.
- Model effective communication and problem-solving when handling client questions or concerns.
- Foster trust and collaboration among clients, doctors, and the care team to ensure continuity of care.
- Participate in staff meetings, hospital initiatives, and continuing education opportunities.
- Promote a positive, collaborative, and inclusive culture aligned with hospital and VetEvolve values.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support hospital operations and patient care.
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Licensed/Certified/Registered Veterinary Technician credential required.
- Minimum of 3 years of clinical veterinary experience.
- Prior leadership or mentorship experience preferred.
- Demonstrated proficiency in anesthesia monitoring, dentistry, laboratory procedures, and radiology.
- Basic computer literacy and ability to use practice management software and Microsoft Office applications.
- Excellent communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, train, and motivate team members while maintaining professionalism and accountability.
- Able to multitask in a fast-paced setting while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
- Compassionate and committed to delivering exceptional patient care and client service.
- Comfortable working with exposure to cleaning chemicals, anesthetic gases, radiation, zoonotic diseases, and animal bodily fluids.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and safely handle animals up to 130 pounds.
- Comfortable sitting, standing, walking, bending, and kneeling for extended periods throughout the workday.
- Professional, neat appearance consistent with hospital standards.
Hours:
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule and be available for scheduling during all hours the practice is open to support hospital operations.
Compensation and Benefits:
- We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. In addition, employees are eligible to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan. Other benefits include paid time off, paid holidays and access to employee assistance program.
