Job Description

Lead Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

Alley Cat & Dog Pet Hospital | Napa, CA

$32–$39 per hour | Full-Time | General Practice & Urgent Care

Love Clinical Medicine? Ready to Lead, Inspire and Make an Impact?

Are you an experienced RVT who takes pride in exceptional nursing care, thrives in a busy clinical environment and naturally brings out the best in the people around you?

Do teammates turn to you for guidance, whether it's a challenging anesthetic case, a complex patient or simply finding a better way to get things done?

At Alley Cat & Dog Pet Hospital, we're looking for a Lead Registered Veterinary Technician who brings together advanced clinical skills, sound judgment and a genuine passion for developing others.

This is an opportunity to take your career beyond excellent clinical nursing and make a meaningful impact on the team, our patients and the way our hospital operates.

And importantly, you'll still be doing the clinical work you love.

Discover Alley Cat & Dog Pet Hospital

Located in beautiful Napa, California, Alley Cat & Dog Pet Hospital offers a diverse mix of general practice, urgent care and advanced veterinary procedures.

Our team cares for patients with a wide range of medical needs, creating opportunities to use your nursing skills, develop your expertise and contribute to high-quality patient outcomes.

As part of VetnCare, we're connected to a wider community of veterinary professionals who share knowledge, support one another and are passionate about delivering excellent medicine.

We believe in empowering our clinical teams, encouraging collaboration and creating an environment where great ideas and strong clinical leadership are valued.

Your Opportunity to Lead

As our Lead RVT, you'll be a key clinical resource and role model within the hospital.

You'll work closely with our veterinarians, Veterinary Assistants and hospital leadership to support excellent patient care, consistent clinical standards and a positive, high-performing team.

Your responsibilities will include:

Clinical Excellence & Patient Care

• Deliver high-quality veterinary nursing care across general practice, urgent care and advanced procedures.
• Support anesthesia preparation, induction, monitoring and recovery, applying sound clinical judgment and appropriate safety protocols.
• Assist with surgical and dental procedures, diagnostic testing, treatments and patient monitoring.
• Recognise changes in patient condition, anticipate clinical needs and communicate effectively with veterinarians.
• Promote excellent patient handling, nursing care, infection prevention and patient safety.
• Help maintain consistent clinical protocols, nursing standards and accurate medical records.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, accountability and exceptional patient care.
• Provide hands-on coaching, guidance and mentorship to RVTs and Veterinary Assistants.
• Support the development of clinical skills, confidence and consistency across the team.
• Be a trusted point of contact when teammates need advice or support.
• Encourage a positive, collaborative environment where everyone feels comfortable asking questions and learning.

Clinical Workflow & Hospital Operations

• Help coordinate daily clinical workflow, ensuring patients and procedures are appropriately prioritised.
• Anticipate operational challenges and work proactively to keep the clinical team running smoothly.
• Partner with hospital leadership to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, communication and clinical processes.
• Support the implementation of consistent clinical standards and best practices.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork and shared accountability.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a confident, experienced RVT who combines excellent clinical ability with a supportive and approachable leadership style.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• Current California RVT registration.
• Approximately 4–5+ years of veterinary nursing experience, ideally in a busy general practice, urgent care or similarly varied clinical environment.
• Strong anesthesia, surgical nursing and patient monitoring skills.
• Confidence managing complex cases and responding appropriately to changing patient needs.
• Sound clinical judgment and the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Experience supporting, mentoring or training other clinical teammates.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trust across the team.
• A positive, solutions-focused approach to challenges.
• A genuine passion for maintaining high clinical standards and helping others succeed.

Formal supervisory experience is an advantage, but we're equally interested in experienced RVTs who are already informal leaders within their teams and are ready to take the next step.

Why This Opportunity Is Different

• Clinical leadership without leaving the treatment floor. Stay actively involved in patient care while helping guide and develop the team.
• A varied and engaging caseload. Work across general practice, urgent care and advanced procedures, making full use of your technical skills.
• A voice in how things are done. Work closely with hospital leadership and help shape clinical processes, standards and team development.
• An opportunity to mentor. Share your knowledge, build confidence in others and help create a supportive learning environment.
• Support beyond your hospital. As part of VetnCare, you'll have access to a wider clinical community, shared expertise and ongoing development opportunities.

Benefits That Support You

We know how much you give to your patients and teammates, and we want you to feel equally supported.

Our benefits include:

• Shared impact bonus linked to hospital profitability.
• Generous veterinary care discounts for your pets and complimentary clinical exams (exclusions apply).
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, including virtual care.
• 401(k) with a 100% company match up to 4%.
• Health and Dependent Care FSA/HSA options.
• Employer-paid life and AD&D insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program offering mental health, legal, financial and family support services.
• Access to Calm, Talkspace and VetFolio.
• Paid time off, sick leave and paid holidays.
• Ongoing learning, professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Annual team recognition and celebrations.

Ready to Take the Lead?

If you're a skilled RVT who loves great medicine, thrives on teamwork and wants to make a lasting impact on both patients and people, we'd love to meet you.

Bring your clinical expertise, leadership and passion for veterinary nursing to Alley Cat & Dog Pet Hospital.