CSSSurgery Lead Technician

Job Description

The Central Sterile Supply and Surgical Lead Technician provides operational and administrative leadership for Central Sterile Supply (CSS) within the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. This position is responsible for ensuring the safe efficient and high-quality delivery of sterile processing and surgical support services for both large and small animal patients.
The lead technician oversees daily operations personnel workflow inventory equipment quality assurance regulatory compliance and continuous process improvement. This position works collaboratively with veterinary surgeons clinicians technicians department supervisor and other clinical departments to ensure that surgical services are adequately staffed appropriately equipped and prepared to meet scheduled urgent and emergency patient care needs.
The lead technician serves as a working leader and subject-matter resource for sterile processing surgical instrumentation infection prevention and operating room support while establishing and maintaining departmental standards policies procedures and performance expectations.

Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Personnel Management

Provide day-to-day leadership and operational oversight of Central Sterile Supply (CSS) and surgical support personnel; collaborate with the department supervisor on recruitment onboarding training scheduling performance management and employee development.
Develop staffing plans and coordinate coverage for routine urgent emergency and after-hours surgical services.
Promote accountability teamwork professionalism safety and continuous improvement while identifying staff training and competency needs.

Central Sterile Supply and Surgical Operations

Oversee CSS operations including decontamination cleaning inspection assembly packaging sterilization storage distribution and tracking of surgical instruments and equipment; ensure compliance with established standards and procedures.
Ensure surgical suites instruments equipment supplies and personnel are prepared and coordinated for scheduled and emergency procedures across large and small animal services and specialty areas.
Serve as a working lead by performing essential CSS and surgical support duties including instrument processing patient preparation surgical suite preparation and other technical responsibilities as needed to maintain operational continuity.

Equipment Inventory and Service Readiness

Manage CSS and surgical instrumentation inventory equipment maintenance repair replacement and procurement while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary expenditures.
Evaluate and implement improvements to workflow equipment utilization instrument availability and turnaround times to support safe and efficient surgical services.
Participate in a rotating on-call schedule including nights weekends and holidays; must be able to report within 30 minutes when on call and serve as essential personnel during inclement weather and authorized institutional closings.

Schedule & Availability

Participation in a rotating on-call schedule including nights weekends and holidays
Must be able to report to the facility within 30 minutes when on call
Designated as essential personnel requiring availability during inclement weather and authorized closings (with additional compensation or leave provided)

Certification Requirement

Must obtain Certified Registered Central Sterile Technician (CRCST) certification within one year of hire
Must obtain Central Service Leadership Certificate within two years of hire

Required Qualifications

Associates degree in veterinary technology healthcare administration business administration management or a related field; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
Demonstrated experience in veterinary medicine surgical services central sterile supply sterile processing or a closely related healthcare environment.
Working knowledge of basic companion and large animal anatomy and physiology
Working knowledge of surgical procedures surgical instrumentation sterile technique and operating room practices.
Strong organizational communication problem-solving and leadership skills.
Ability to develop and implement policies procedures and process improvements.
Ability to work effectively during routine urgent and emergency situations.
Rabies prophylaxis required; provided by the employer.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated supervisory or management experience including responsibility for personnel scheduling training and operational activities.
Experience managing a veterinary hospital CSS surgical services or comparable healthcare department.
Licensed or credentialed veterinary technician (LVT/CVT/RVT) or comparable clinical credential.
Experience with departmental purchasing inventory management and vendor relationships.
Experience developing employee training and competency programs.
Experience with quality improvement regulatory compliance and infection prevention initiatives.
Experience implementing new equipment technology workflows or departmental processes.

Pay Band

3; Salary

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Starting at $45000 commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

10/05/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.