Veterinary Nursing Director - Emergency & Critical Care

Veterinary Nursing Director - Emergency & Critical Care

Department: Veterinary Technicians

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

Compensation: $60,000 - $80,000 / year

Clinical Leadership in a Growing Emergency & Specialty Hospital

Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville (AESC Knoxville) is seeking an experienced, credentialed veterinary technician leader to join our leadership team as a Veterinary Nursing Director.

This is a unique opportunity for a passionate leader who thrives in Emergency & Critical Care medicine, enjoys mentoring and developing technicians, and wants to play a key role in shaping the future of a growing specialty hospital.

As our Veterinary Nursing Director, you will provide hands‑on leadership and support for our veterinary technicians and assistants while working closely with hospital leadership and medical directors to strengthen training programs, improve workflow efficiency, elevate patient care standards, and build a culture of clinical excellence.

This is not a desk‑only management role. We are looking for a leader who enjoys being on the hospital floor, collaborating alongside the team,
supporting swing and overnight operations
, and serving as a clinical resource during busy and critical cases.

Salary: $60,000 - $80,000 annually, based on experience and credentials

Technician Leadership & Development

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and support to veterinary technicians and assistants.
• Foster a collaborative, positive, and accountable team culture.
• Support recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and retention of clinical team members.
• Develop and implement technician training pathways and career development opportunities.
• Promote continuing education, technical growth, and advancement within the nursing team.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.

Clinical Operations & Floor Leadership

• Maintain a strong presence on the treatment floor and provide direct support to the team.
• Assist in overseeing emergency, critical care, swing, and overnight nursing operations.
• Help coordinate technician staffing and clinical coverage.
• Collaborate with veterinarians and hospital leadership to ensure exceptional patient care and client service.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow efficiency, communication, and operational effectiveness.
• Serve as a clinical resource and mentor during emergency and critical care cases.

Quality of Care & Standards

• Assist with the development, implementation, and maintenance of nursing protocols and standards of care.
• Promote best practices in emergency medicine, anesthesia, patient monitoring, and critical care nursing.
• Support initiatives focused on patient safety, medical excellence, and quality improvement.
• Ensure adherence to hospital protocols, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Champion a culture of patient advocacy and continuous improvement.

Required

• Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT, RVT, or CVT).
• Minimum of 5 years of veterinary technician experience.
• Previous leadership, supervisory, or management experience within a veterinary hospital.
• Strong communication, organizational, and team-building skills.
• Ability to lead in a fast-paced emergency and specialty environment.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multiple departments.

Highly Preferred

• Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency & Critical Care (ECC).
• Experience in emergency, specialty, or referral medicine.
• Experience developing clinical protocols, training programs, and operational workflows.
• Passion for technician mentorship, education, and professional development.