Head Veterinary Technician

Countryside Veterinary Center, Inc.; Countryside (IL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

PTO & sick pay

7 paid holidays & 2 floating holidays

Health, dental & vision insurance

Employer-paid short-term disability

Life & disability insurance

401(k) with employer match

Parental/child-bonding leave

Employee discount

Bring your pet to work

Snacks & coffee

Job summary

Countryside Veterinary Center is seeking a Head Veterinary Technician to lead the Treatment Team. This full-time, on-site role blends hands-on veterinary medicine with supervision, training, scheduling, and department development.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years of technician experience, Illinois CVT certification, and proven leadership abilities. You will coach staff, ensure smooth operations, and maintain high standards of patient care in a busy hospital.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of veterinary technician experience.
• Illinois CVT certification is required.
• Experience in training, mentoring, leading, or supervising others.
• Strong technical and clinical skills with hands-on approach.
• Organized with ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, and Treatment Assistants.
• Oversee daily workflow, organization, and staffing of the Treatment Department.
• Recruit, interview, onboard, train, and develop team members.
• Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, feedback, and support.
• Create and maintain department SOPs, protocols, and training programs.
• Help team build skills and reach professional goals.
• Collaborate with doctors and medical team to provide patient care.
• Remain hands-on with examinations, procedures, anesthesia, and lab work.
• Serve as a clinical and technical resource for the treatment team.
• Coordinate scheduling and department coverage.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Coaching

Organizational skills

Hands-on clinical work

Education

Illinois CVT certification

Job description

Head Veterinary Technician

Internal Position Title: Treatment Team Manager

Countryside Veterinary Center is a busy, full-service animal hospital. We see a wide variety of cases and offer everything from wellness and urgent care to surgery, dentistry, rehabilitation, and more. We’re looking for an experienced veterinary technician who is ready to take the next step into leadership and join our Treatment team as a Head Veterinary Technician.

This is a hands-on leadership position that combines clinical work with team leadership, training, scheduling, department organization, and continued development of our Treatment team. You’ll work alongside our Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, and Treatment Assistants while partnering with our doctors and hospital leadership to keep the department running smoothly and help our team continue to grow.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys working with people just as much as they enjoy veterinary medicine — someone who likes teaching, mentoring, organizing, and being someone their team can turn to.

The Schedule

This is a full-time position, with evening and weekend availability required. Our Treatment team typically works a 4-day work week, with schedules designed around longer shifts — generally two 12-hour shifts, one shorter weekday shift, and every other weekend. Weekend frequency may vary based on hospital needs and scheduling.

What You’ll Do

This position combines hands-on veterinary medicine with leadership and department oversight. Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead and support our Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, and Treatment Assistants
• Help oversee the daily workflow, organization, and staffing of the Treatment Department
• Recruit, interview, onboard, train, and develop treatment team members
• Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, feedback, and support
• Help create and maintain department SOPs, protocols, and training programs
• Work with team members to help them build their skills and reach their professional goals
• Work alongside our doctors and medical team to provide excellent patient care
• Remain hands-on with examinations, procedures, surgery, dentistry, anesthesia, laboratory work, patient monitoring, and other technical responsibilities
• Serve as a clinical and technical resource for the treatment team
• Coordinate scheduling and appropriate department coverage
• Maintain an organized, well-stocked, and efficient Treatment Department
• Foster relationships with veterinary technician schools and coordinate externship opportunities
• Collaborate with other departments to support smooth hospital operations
• Be a go-to resource for the Treatment team and help foster a positive, collaborative work environment

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has at least 3 years of veterinary technician experience
• Illinois CVT certification required
• Has previous experience training, mentoring, leading, or supervising others
• Has strong technical and clinical skills and enjoys staying hands-on
• Is organized and able to manage multiple priorities in a busy hospital
• Communicates clearly and professionally with doctors, team members, hospital leadership, and clients
• Can provide constructive feedback and hold people accountable
• Enjoys teaching and developing other team members
• Takes initiative and follows through
• Can remain calm and professional in challenging situations

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive pay
• PTO & sick pay
• 7 paid holidays & 2 floating holidays
• Health, dental & vision insurance
• Employer-paid short-term disability insurance, with buy-up option
• Life & disability insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental/child-bonding leave
• Generous employee discount
• Bring your pet to work with you
• Snacks & coffee always stocked

Compensation

$24–$33/hour depending on experience.

Actual compensation will be based on experience, skills, credentials, and qualifications.

Countryside Veterinary Center is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome.