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Veterinary Surgery Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Our Veterinary Technicians assist with: * Advanced procedures * Emergencies during daytime hours * Physical examinations * Dental procedures * Oral surgery * Routine and advanced surgical procedures

Be Seen First

Our Veterinary Technicians assist with: * Advanced procedures * Emergencies during daytime hours * Physical examinations * Dental procedures * Oral surgery * Routine and advanced surgical procedures

Be Seen First

Our Veterinary Technicians assist with: * Advanced procedures * Emergencies during daytime hours * Physical examinations * Dental procedures * Oral surgery * Routine and advanced surgical procedures

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Veterinary Surgery information

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$31

How much do veterinary surgery jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for veterinary surgery in the United States is $21.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $24.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is veterinary surgery?

Veterinary surgery is a specialized branch of veterinary medicine that involves performing surgical procedures on animals to treat injuries, diseases, or deformities. Veterinary surgeons may operate on a variety of animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife. Common procedures include spaying or neutering, removing tumors, repairing broken bones, and addressing internal organ issues. These professionals use anesthesia and advanced surgical techniques to ensure animal safety and recovery. Veterinary surgeons often work in animal hospitals, clinics, or specialized surgery centers.

What is the difference between Veterinary Surgery vs Veterinary Medicine?

AspectVeterinary SurgeryVeterinary Medicine
Required CredentialsVeterinary Degree, Surgical CertificationVeterinary Degree, General Practice Certification
Work EnvironmentOperating rooms, surgical suites, clinicsConsultation rooms, clinics, hospitals
Employer & Industry UsageVeterinary clinics, specialty surgical centersGeneral veterinary practices, animal hospitals
Common Search & ComparisonFocuses on surgical procedures and skillsBroader animal health care and diagnosis

Veterinary Surgery specializes in performing surgical procedures on animals, requiring specific surgical certifications and working primarily in operating rooms. Veterinary Medicine covers a broader scope of animal health, including diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care, often in general practice settings. While both roles require a veterinary degree, Veterinary Surgery is more focused on surgical expertise, whereas Veterinary Medicine encompasses overall animal health management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Veterinary Surgery, and why are they important?

To thrive in Veterinary Surgery, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, surgical training, and often board certification in veterinary surgery. Proficiency with surgical instruments, anesthesia machines, and specialized veterinary software is typically required. Attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are vital soft skills in this field. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring patient safety, effective procedures, and successful outcomes in animal healthcare.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in veterinary surgery, and how can they be managed?

Veterinary surgeons often encounter challenges such as managing complex cases with limited patient communication, working long or irregular hours (especially during emergencies), and staying current with advances in surgical techniques. Effective communication with pet owners and the veterinary team is crucial for successful outcomes. Many professionals find support through mentorship, continuing education, and collaboration with colleagues, which helps them stay updated and manage stress in this demanding but rewarding field.
What states have the most Veterinary Surgery jobs? States with the most job openings for Veterinary Surgery jobs include:
Infographic showing various Veterinary Surgery job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,144 per year, or $21.7 per hour.
Lead Veterinary Surgery Technician

Lead Veterinary Surgery Technician

Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists

Williston, VT โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

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Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists is looking for a Lead Surgical Technician who brings operating room expertise, natural leadership, and the drive to elevate an entire surgical team.
In this role, you'll own the surgical suite, scrubbing in on complex soft tissue and orthopedic cases, directly supervising surgical technicians, and setting the standard for technique, efficiency, and patient care. This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who is equally at home holding a retractor and developing the people around them.
Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists (BEVS) is Vermont's only 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital, bringing together a collaborative team of technicians and specialists who are passionate about delivering high-quality, advanced care.
With services including soft tissue surgery, orthopedics, 24/7 emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology, ophthalmology, dentistry, and oral surgery, you'll have the opportunity to scrub in on interesting, complex cases while leading a team that takes real pride in their craft. https://bevsvt.com/
Lead Surgical Technician - Full Time Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists in Williston, VT
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Surgical Support & Patient Care
  • Serve as a circulating technician for surgical procedures
  • Prepare and maintain sterile fields, surgical instrument packs, and implant inventories at the highest standard
  • Perform and oversee patient preparation including surgical site clipping, aseptic prep, and positioning
  • Assist with anesthetic induction and support the anesthesia team throughout procedures as needed
  • Monitor patients during recovery and ensure clear, thorough post-operative communication with the care team
  • Assist surgeons with wound management, bandaging, and discharge preparation on complex cases

Instrumentation & Equipment
  • Oversee maintenance, cleaning, inspection, and sterilization of all surgical instruments and equipment
  • Manage orthopedic implant inventory and loaner sets, coordinating with vendors and ensuring readiness for scheduled cases
  • Ensure consistent functionality and readiness of surgical suite equipment including electrosurgery units, suction, and power tools
  • Own surgical supply inventory, tracking, restocking, and flagging low or expiring items in coordination with the Inventory/Facilities Manager

Leadership & Supervision
  • Directly supervise surgical technicians, providing day-to-day guidance, performance feedback, and scheduling support
  • Serve as the primary point of escalation for surgical suite concerns, equipment issues, and case preparation questions
  • Train and onboard new surgical technicians and assistants on sterile technique, instrument handling, patient preparation, and OR workflow
  • Partner with hospital leadership on performance reviews, goal-setting, and staff development for the surgical team
  • Lead by example in professionalism, surgical standards, and cross-departmental collaboration
  • Develop, maintain, and update surgical SOPs and protocols in partnership with the surgical and medical teams
  • Uphold OSHA, DEA, and hospital compliance standards within the surgical suite

BENEFITS
We're passionate about helping you reach your greatest potential-both at work and at home. As a result, our total compensation package is outstanding and rewarding:
  • Generous paid time off (PTO)
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with company match up to 4% (after 6 months)
  • Continuing education (CE) allowance
  • Uniform allowance
  • Company paid bonding leave or applicable state provided bonding leave
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free counseling and wellness support
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
  • Mental health resources, plus so much more

Plus, special benefits to utilize for your own pet:
  • Pet Care: Discounts on veterinary services and products
  • Pet Diagnostics: Discounts on reference lab testing
  • Pet Food: Discounts on Purina pet foods
  • Pet Insurance: Discounts available with our preferred vendor

REQUIREMENTS
  • Experience in veterinary surgery required; specialty or emergency setting strongly preferred
  • Demonstrated experience with both soft tissue and orthopedic surgical procedures and instrumentation
  • Previous experience in a lead, supervisory, or senior technician role preferred
  • Credentialed veterinary technician (CVT/LVT/RVT) preferred but not required - depth of surgical experience and leadership ability are the priority
  • Expert-level understanding of sterile technique, instrument sterilization methods, and surgical suite management
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to lead a team, navigate conflict, and collaborate across departments
  • Ability to manage competing priorities, maintain composure under pressure, and keep a fast-paced surgical schedule on track
  • Must be comfortable with physical demands of the role including patient handling, lifting, and potential exposure to anesthetic gases, radiation, and other hazardous materials; PPE provided and required

Rarebreed Veterinary Partners is a purpose-driven team that places talent first by supporting professionals to thrive in our industry and empowering hospital teams to provide exceptional care for pets and their owners. We pride ourselves on going the extra mile to create exceptional work experiences for our hospital teams. We focus on providing our hospitals with the best culture, tools, and support to allow the staff to focus on what they love most: caring for our animal companions.
Joining our fun and team-first atmosphere comes with a level of support that's hard to find anywhere else. Everything we do is with purpose-down to the way we invest in our people and create long-overdue change in the industry. We're hyper-focused on supporting our professionals, so they can focus on bringing the gold standard of medicine to our patients and their families.
Employment will require the successful completion of references and background check.
Rarebreed Veterinary Partners provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics or classifications protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Learn more about our career opportunities at: https://rarebreedvet.com/careers/
Where uncommon support partners with joy.