Description
Lead Veterinary Technician
High-Volume Spay/Neuter Clinic
NYS License Required – Non-Licensed Applicants Will Not Be Considered
Join Our High-Volume Spay/Neuter Team at SPCA Westchester
SPCA Westchester’s Cody’s Clinic is a high-volume spay/neuter (HVSN) practice and is seeking an experienced, New York State Licensed Veterinary Technician to serve as lead technician on our surgical team. This is a hands on, high autonomy role for a licensed technician who is confident running anesthesia independently while our veterinarians work back to back in the OR.
This is not an entry level position.
In an HVSN setting, the veterinarian is scrubbed in and operating continuously. Our lead technician is responsible for keeping the anesthesia and surgical pipeline moving safely and efficiently with minimal direct veterinarian oversight. If you are not comfortable making independent anesthetic decisions on healthy and ASA II patients, this role is not the right fit.
You Will Be Supported by a Full Team
The lead technician anchors the surgical floor but does not work alone. The role is supported by a team of veterinary assistants who handle patient preparation and assist with anesthesia and a dedicated team of trained volunteers who help monitor and recover patients post-operatively. Your job is to lead and oversee the anesthetic side of the workflow, not to do every task yourself.
Core Responsibilities
Independently execute anesthetic protocols across a high-volume daily caseload of canine and feline spay/neuter patients
Perform pre-anesthetic patient assessment, premedication, induction, intubation, and maintenance
Place IV catheters when indicated
Monitor anesthesia and adjust depth, fluid rates, and supportive care during surgery without requiring step-by-step direction
Oversee recovery and extubation alongside the assistant and volunteer team; recognize and respond to anesthetic complications
Calculate and draw up drugs (premeds, induction agents, analgesics, reversals, emergency drugs) accurately under HVSN time pressure
Maintain accurate anesthesia records and controlled substance logs in compliance with NYS regulations
Direct and mentor veterinary assistants and volunteers within the surgical workflow
Maintain surgical instrument processing, autoclave function, and OR readiness between procedures
Communicate clearly and concisely with the veterinarian during cases — flag concerns early, escalate appropriately
Required Qualifications (Non-Negotiable)
Compensation $25-38/hour to commensurate with experience and certifications.
Benefits
Paid Time Off
Health, Dental, Vision Benefits
401K with match
Supplemental Benefits (accident, cancer, hospital)
Potential PSLF eligibility
Discounted Pet Care
About SPCA Westchester
SPCA Westchester is a no-kill, 501(c)3 not-for-profit animal welfare organization. Our HVSN program is a core part of our mission to reduce shelter intake and improve animal welfare across the region. Every surgery our team completes has a direct, measurable community impact.
SPCA Westchester is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Requirements
Active New York State Veterinary Technician license (LVT). Applications from non-licensed candidates, veterinary assistants, or candidates outside the veterinary field will not be reviewed.
Minimum 3 years of clinical experience as a licensed veterinary technician, with substantial anesthesia caseload
Demonstrated competence running anesthesia independently — premedication through recovery — on a high-volume surgical schedule
Proficiency with endotracheal intubation (including feline), multiparameter anesthetic monitoring, and IV catheter placement when indicated
Working knowledge of common HVSN anesthetic protocols (e.g., TTDex, BAM, ketamine/dexmedetomidine combinations) and reversal agents
Strong understanding of pharmacology, CPR/CPCR, and emergency drug dosing
Preferred
Prior HVSN or shelter medicine experience
VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) or active progress toward it
Fear Free or low-stress handling certification
Full-time preferred
Part-time considered for the right licensed candidate
