Mercer Island Company Hiring Lice Removal Technicians

MERCER ISLAND, WA - Those who get the heebie-jeebies need not apply.

A Mercer Island-based lice removal company is ramping up hiring for the spring and summer season, and is looking for applicants from around Puget Sound to help rid people of the creepy - but extremely common - pests.

Lice Knowing You was founded by Nancy Gordon in 2007. She originally ran the company out of her garage at her Mercer Island home, but has since expanded the company to include locations around Western Washington, and in Oregon, Arizona, Idaho, and Colorado.

What does it take to be a lice removal technician? A lot more than just a strong stomach, Gordon told Patch.com.

"It's a very physical job," Gordon said. Technicians need good eyesight, and need the stamina to stand on their feet and thoroughly remove the tiny bugs. "At the same time, you're doing some retail - and you're dealing with stressed out families."

And because head lice happens everywhere, Lice Knowing You employees sometimes travel around Western Washington performing mobile lice treatments. Before starting on the job, technicians get up to 90 days training. Gordon says she offers competitive pay, plus full health benefits and a 401K plan.

Gordon says that her method - total manual removal - is the only guaranteed way to get rid of lice. The tiny, bloodsucking parasites lay nits in the hair, and if those aren't removed along the with the adults, an infestation can start all over again. Technicians will spend, on average, about 45 minutes manually removing lice and nits from boys hair, and an hour or more on girls hair.

"We want somebody who wants to do it," Gordon said. "I've been very lucky. We have a lot of longevity. I don't have major turnover. Most of my staff have been with me for years."

Interested? You can contact Lice Knowing You here. The company has locations in Issaquah, Seattle, Federal Way, and on Mercer Island.

Image via Creative Commons