Surgery Barn Technician/Assistant Supervisor - Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

PetVet Care Centers' Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is currently seeking a Surgery Barn Technician/Assistant Supervisor to join their team!

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

Join our team as a Surgery Barn Technician/Assistant Supervisor who supervises and coordinates the daily activities, training, and patient care standards of the Surgery Barn assistants/technicians. 

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, is an internationally recognized leader in equine medicine, combining cutting-edge technology with a collaborative team dedicated to advancing equine health and performance.

Essential Functions

Patient Care:

• Ensure patients receive proper care in accordance with doctors’ instructions and in a manner consistent with medical standards.
• Monitor/oversee patient status, treatment plans, medication dosage, administration of medication, patient physicals ect.
• Oversees the cleanliness of patients whilst in hospital care and at discharge.
• Perform patient care needs/take patients as required.
• Oversee and participate in patient rounds.
• Ensure technicians/assistants are following biosecurity protocols as outlined in biosecurity manual.
• Ensure patient salmonella surveillance is being performed timely and appropriately.
• Collaborate and communicate with Surgery Barn Supervisor as necessary to manage any biosecurity concerns.
• Ensure patient care concerns/needs are professionally, promptly and appropriately communicated between assistants/technicians, interns, doctors, and any other appropriate parties as necessary.
• Work with various departments (i.e. admissions, surgery reception, dispatch, surgery floor, medicine, pharmacy, imaging ect) and Surgery Barn Supervisor as necessary to coordinate hospital patient care needs and movement.
• Oversee that the admissions and discharge of patients are accurately documented and communicated to the appropriate parties.
• Oversee that upon discharge, patients are clean, bandages are fresh, necessary paperwork has been completed, and that any items needing to leave with the patients (blankets, halters, medicines, etc.) are in order for the client to receive.

Training

• Ensure surgery barn technicians/assistants are performing their duties efficiently and of a high-quality standard.
• Responsible for the creation and maintenance of training handbooks, instructions and other necessary training materials.
• Working with Senior Lead Technicians/assistants to maintain and create training schedules, materials and other items necessary for training staff.
• Lead and perform structured hands-on clinical training of barn staff as required.
• Coordinate and oversee training of any necessary barn staff with regards to proper protocols, patient care, horse handling, and equipment usage (i.e. Oxygen), etc.

Personnel Management:

• Ensure supervised staff are prompt/present for shifts, professional in conduct, competent and efficient in performance.  Report any concerns that need elevation to the Surgery Barn Supervisor as required.
• Advise and assist the Surgery Barn Supervisor daily as required.
  • Staffing needs and concerns.
  • Barn needs and concerns.
  • Patient care needs and concerns.
• These may include, but are not limited to:
• Perform any necessary duties required in the absence of the Surgery Barn Supervisor.
• Attend and participate in staff and/or supervisor meetings as required.

Performance Expectations

• To uphold the responsibilities outlined.
• Attendance:
• Demonstrate reliability and punctuality in scheduled work hours, with flexibility to work beyond scheduled hours as required.
• Professionalism and conduct:
• To maintain a professional workplace for all employees.
• To maintain a professional appearance, courteous attitude and to conduct oneself professionally as a representative of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute refraining from inappropriate language and behavior.
• To assist in achieving and maintaining high quality standards in cleanliness, patient care and customer service.
• To maintain confidentiality with regards to employee, client, doctor and patient information.
• To be a self-starter and take the required initiative to perform all tasks successfully.
• To contribute to the overall team by utilizing your skills and knowledge to achieve performance excellence.
• Communication:
• To treat other people with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• To constructively communicate progress, concerns and other issues requiring attention to the appropriate members of management or doctors in a timely manner.
• To give guidance to other personnel in understanding the importance of adhering to procedures and proper protocol.
• To approach problems with a solutions-based attitude, utilizing the help of other managers and supervisors if required.  To also encourage and expect this of your staff.
• Ensure that staff establish and maintain a professional rapport with clients to enhance the client service experience.
• Expedite the resolution of client problems/complaints to the appropriate person(s).
• Ensure appropriate, professional and confidential communication between clients and staff regarding patient care is maintained.
• To offer solutions and demonstrate a positive attitude when dealing with clients, employees, other supervisors, doctors, and management.  To also encourage this of your staff.
• To ensure excellent customer service.

Qualifications (Required)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• One year to two years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of medical terminology and the equine/thoroughbred industry required.
• Prior leadership experience
• Strong horse handling/restraining skills
• Strong communication skills, customer service, organizational, and multitasking skills.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to work in a physically demanding environment involving animals, outdoor conditions, and exposure to typical veterinary workplace hazards
• Must be capable of frequent standing, walking, lifting, and handling heavy equipment or animals, with the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently and over 100 pounds occasionally.

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Associate’s degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school preferred
• Veterinary Technician License preferred, but not required

Schedule: Primarily Monday through Friday, approximately 8AM to 4PM

What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE stipends and career development resources
• Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources

The list of essential functions, as outlined in this job description, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of any job function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.