Director of Veterinary Nursing.

VCA Great Lakes Veterinary Specialists is seeking an enthusiastic experienced Veterinary Technician Specialist to join our growing leadership team full time, as the Director of Veterinary Nursing!

Compensation: $38.00 - $43.00 / hour based on skill set, 5 years of experience, and licensure status (RVT, VTS)

Potential Schedule: Full Time, Variable

Please take a moment to view our hospital video below and learn a bit more of why GLVS is the right choice for you.

https://vimeo.com/684755121/10c909cbf5

Job Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide direct leadership, mentorship, and performance management for the RVT/veterinary nursing team, including hiring, onboarding, and ongoing development
• Conduct regular one-on-ones, performance reviews, and career development conversations with nursing staff
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning across the nursing team

Clinical Standards & Patient Care

• Establish and uphold clinical protocols, nursing care standards, and best practices across the hospital
• Oversee patient monitoring, treatment administration, anesthesia support, and surgical assistance standards
• Ensure compliance with drug handling, controlled substance logging, and inventory control policies
• Partner with the medical director and veterinary team to maintain consistent quality of care across all departments

Training & Professional Development

• Design and lead ongoing CE programming to keep the nursing team current on clinical skills and certifications
• Serve as a clinical coach and mentor for CVTs, VAs, and student externs
• Support credentialing pathways and career advancement for technicians pursuing specialty certifications

Extern & Student Program Support

• Manage the hospital's veterinary nursing externship program, including scheduling, onboarding, and evaluation of student externs
• Champion the externship pipeline as a strategic tool for recruitment and long-term retention
• Represent the hospital's commitment to supporting the next generation of veterinary professionals

Operations & Strategy

• Collaborate with the Hospital Director/Practice Manager on staffing models, budget planning, and departmental KPIs
• Monitor nursing team retention, satisfaction, and workload balance, and recommend improvements
• Ensure compliance with all applicable veterinary practice acts, OSHA, and safety regulations
• Report on nursing department metrics and outcomes to hospital and regional leadership

VCA Total Rewards Benefits Package:

• Access to the people and financial resources of a large veterinary community
• Free NAVTA Membership & RECOVER Training
• Discounts to Fear Free Certification & VetGirl
• Growth & leadership opportunities
• Medical, Dental & Vision
• Career development programs
• Veterinary Technician education tuition support and scholarships
• $750 continuing education funds for credentialed associates
• Veterinary Technician license reimbursement
• Generous hospital discounts and product discounts
• Employer-paid life, long- and short-term disability insurance
• VTS Career Path financial, and mentorship support
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k)
• Free mental health resources and wellness subscriptions (Headspace)
• Referral bonuses
• Infertility benefits
• Competitive wage
• Free access to Plumbs, and education platforms such as Vetfolio

The successful candidate will be a believer in the possibilities of high quality veterinary medicine and patient care-with the expertise and technical know-how to make them happen.

In this position you will be supporting our Doctors team by creating a positive, low-stress atmosphere for our clients and patients.

Candidates must be positive and motivated. The hospital team meets frequently, and your ideas and suggestions are encouraged to help us continue to grow. Our team takes pride in fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and recognition while being adaptable, goal driven and engaged.

We work hard to protect our culture and assure we hire associates that are going to have the determination to rise above obstacles, wear multiple hats and work as a team. Ready to grow with a collaborative and supportive team?

Please take a moment to view our brief video on life as a veterinary technician with VCA from a technician's point of view.

https://vimeo.com/684755121/10c909cbf5

We look forward to getting to know you!

Apply today!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com