Fox Creek Veterinary Hospital in Kirkwood, MO, is hiring a full-time Lead Veterinary Technician to oversee the day-to-day operations of the veterinary technician team, ensuring the efficient and smooth flow of patient care and maintaining the the highest standards of medical care and professionalism.

The Lead Veterinary Technician will also, at times, perform the functions of an “on the floor” room or surgery technician as well. This position plays a critical role in training, supervising, and developing the technician team, as well as managing workflow, medical equipment, and scheduling. The Veterinary Technician Lead will ensure all tasks are completed within established timelines and that the team is meeting Fox Creek’s standards for customer care, compliance, and operational efficiency. This role also involves tracking progress on technician training, certifications, and self-evaluations, while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.

What to Expect

As you join our mission to provide outpatients with the level of care we would demand for our own pets, expect to be supported in your work and home life with:

• A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and a 401(k) plan for full-time employees
• Guardian voluntary benefits
• Professional development opportunities
• Generous pet discounts!

Schedule: Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm. Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnights as required to ensure proper patient care and team coverage.

Key Responsibilities:

• Workflow and Scheduling Management:
  • Manage technician and doctor workflow using Smart Flow and ensure the Cornerstone schedule is accurate and up to date, reflecting the actual hospital workflow of the day. Manage the use of Smart Flow with the team and ensure they are using it effectively.
  • Work with lead receptionist to ensure appropriate scheduling.
  • Monitor and manage wait times, ensuring they do not exceed 10 minutes for client wait times and that tech in and out times are completed within 10 minutes ensure efficiency.
  • Ensure that patient and client flow is managed efficiently, with timely updates to clients on wait times and progress. Have a technician check on them and offer comfort items, water, coffee etc.
  • Coordinate technician scheduling, ensuring proper staffing levels and that shifts are covered as needed while maintaining appropriate labor budget.
  • Perform lead self-evaluations and ensure they are presented to the Practice Manager (PM) monthly.

• Training and Development:
  • Train all technicians to meet the standards of care and customer service set by Fox Creek, ensuring consistent knowledge of medical protocols, equipment use, and patient care procedures.
  • Ensure that all onboarding and phase training is kept up to date.
  • Track technician training progress, ensuring that all team members complete their Continuing Education (CE) requirements and maintain current certifications.
    • Maintain these records in a designated area within the hospital.
  • Support technicians in achieving their tier levels and ensure accountability for each technician’s performance at their respective tier level.
  • Regularly update technicians on training opportunities and monitor progression through tiers.

• Quality Control and Compliance:
  • Ensure maintenance and quality control of all medical equipment, ensuring that all tools, instruments, and machines are functioning properly and meet safety standards.
  • Oversee that medication refills are processed in-house and through online pharmacies and that refills are completed accurately and within the specified timeframe of 24 hours.
  • Ensure that compliance calls and call-backs are assigned to the appropriate staff and completed by the end of each day.

• Operational Leadership:
  • Ensure that the team is consistently meeting Fox Creek’s standards of care in all areas, including medical protocols, customer service, and patient management.
  • Answer walkie-talkies professionally, respectfully, and concisely, ensuring clear communication between the technician team and other hospital staff.
  • Conduct regular reviews of the team's performance, providing feedback and addressing any concerns or areas for improvement with the assistance of the Practice Manager as needed.
  • Ensure that patient care tasks are performed efficiently and without unnecessary delays, improving overall workflow and client satisfaction.

• Manager on Duty (MOD) Responsibilities:
  • Assume the Manager on Duty role as needed, including weekends and after-hours.
  • Manage operational challenges, handle emergencies, and address team concerns during MOD shifts.
  • Act as the main point of contact for operational issues, escalations, and urgent situations during assigned shifts.

• Client and Patient Experience:

• Ensure the technician team is providing excellent patient care, including assisting with client communication, rooming patients, administering treatments, and providing updates on patient progress.
• Act as a role model for the team by adhering to Fox Creek’s expectation of professionalism and respectful communication, as well as customer service expectations (e.g., greeting clients promptly, offering water/comfort items, maintaining a positive demeanor).

• Self-Evaluation and Performance Monitoring:
  • Ensure that lead self-evaluations are submitted monthly and that performance updates related to the top 3 priorities (as designated by the PM and Technician Lead, e.g., SmartFlow, wait times, training progress) are included.
  • Review Lead Self-Evaluations with the Practice Manager, tracking pay-related goals, training progress, and other key performance metrics.
  • Track, record, and report performance KPI metrics on a monthly basis. This ensures that hospital-level goals are maintained and adjusted as the team's needs and business change.

Qualifications:

• Experience:
• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a veterinary technician, with at least 1 year in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Strong understanding of veterinary medical protocols, patient care, and hospital operations.
• Experience using veterinary management software (e.g., SmartFlow, Cornerstone) is highly preferred.
• Skills:
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate and mentor the technician team.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and ensure all deadlines and standards are met.
• Strong organizational skills, including scheduling and managing workflows efficiently.
• Knowledge of medical equipment maintenance, safety protocols, and quality control procedures.
• Ability to handle stressful situations with professionalism and maintain a calm demeanor in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, particularly in managing workflow and patient care tasks.
• Certifications:
• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or equivalent certification preferred.
• Must be committed to completing Continuing Education (CE) requirements and maintaining current credentials.

About Fox Creek Veterinary Hospital in Kirkwood, MO

Our staff is dedicated, through continuing education and compassion, to providing outpatients with the level of care we would demand for our own pets. These principles are our passion, and by fulfilling them, we are living our dream of knowing that we make a difference by helping animals every day.