Veterinary Nursing Director - Emergency & Critical Care

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 Here is What Your day May Consist of: 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. Here is What You Will Bring to the Position: 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. Why Join Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville? At AESC Knoxville, our veterinary technicians are essential partners in delivering advanced emergency and specialty care. We believe exceptional patient outcomes start with exceptional teams, and we are committed to investing in our people, developing future leaders, and creating a culture where technicians can thrive. This role offers the opportunity to mentor talented clinical professionals, strengthen hospital operations, and help guide the continued growth of one of East Tennessee's premier emergency and specialty veterinary hospitals. Compensation & Benefits Competitive salary of $60,000 - $80,000 annually Leadership bonus opportunities Medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with employer match Paid Time Off Continuing Education support and allowance Leadership development opportunities Employee pet care discount Opportunity to make a lasting impact on patient care, team development, and hospital growth Help Shape the Future of Veterinary Nursing Leadership If you're a motivated veterinary leader who is passionate about developing people, improving patient care, and working side-by-side with a dedicated emergency and specialty team, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help lead the next chapter of growth at Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville. About Animal Emergency & Specialty Center - Knoxville Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville is an AAHA Accredited, premier referral and emergency veterinary hospital. We have an emergency and critical care unit that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We have a variety of board-certified surgeons and specialists at AESC who treat a wide range of veterinary orthopedic, oncology, thoracic, abdominal, and soft-tissue conditions. Our team includes over 20 compassionate and highly trained Licensed Veterinary Technicians, numerous veterinary assistants, other support staff, and supportive administration. We have the latest specialized surgery and diagnostic instrumentation and equipment including 16-slice CT scanner, Vivid iQ echocardiogram platform, digital radiology, ultrasound systems, fluoroscopy unity, endoscopy, high-def Storz tower with new laparoscopic equipment, Arthrex equipment, LigaSure, Autocon III, Storz Ho-YAG laser, Synthes locking plates, and ESF equipment. In 2027, we will be completing our 20,000-square-foot specialty expansion and we will be adding Neurology, Cardiology, and other specialists to our team, as well as a new MRI scanner, CT scanner, linear accelerator, IR suite with ceiling-mounted fluoroscopy, and surgical suites measuring at least 18’ x 18’. Our hospital is a neighborhood and community partner that provides advanced diagnostics, evaluations, and care in an environment rooted in comfort and compassion. Hear more about working with us from our team at the Animal Emergency and Specialty Center of Knoxville! Animal Emergency and Specialty is a proud partner of Innovetive Petcare. Where we believe that you are the future of veterinary medicine. Cultivate, innovate, develop, and collaborate. Excellent pet care comes from exceptional teams. Equal Opportunity Employer Policy Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify.  We are proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, or any other non-merit factor. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.