Hospital Manager

National Aquarium; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Aquarium in Baltimore seeks a Hospital Manager to oversee veterinary operations, pharmacy oversight, and regulatory compliance, ensuring high animal welfare and scientific standards. This role coordinates staff, training, budgeting, and policy development within the Animal Health team.

Leadership, collaboration with veterinarians and technicians, and a strong focus on safety and process improvement are essential to success in this position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in related fields.
• Minimum 5 years vet technician experience in aquarium/zoo settings.
• 2+ years in a supervisory/leadership role.
• Registered Veterinary Technician with AVMA-accredited program.
• Valid driver's license with ability to drive various vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and manage pharmacy including oversight of controlled drugs and regulations.
• Schedule medical procedures and team rounds; allocate personnel and resources.
• Coordinate maintenance and acquisition of medical equipment; monitor supplies and inspections.
• Supervise veterinary technicians; provide feedback; manage scheduling and performance reviews.
• Provide technical training and onboarding; improve staff skills.
• Lead workflow evaluation for veterinary procedures and safety.
• Safety manager for radiology; train staff and manage radiation data.
• Ensure compliance with AZA/OSHA/DEA/MD and monitor workspaces.
• Coordinate ordering of supplies and pharmaceuticals; track receipts and budgeting.
• Utilize medical records system; review lab requests; coordinate with labs.
• Develop and enforce SOPs; staff development and continuing education.
• Participate in hiring and onboarding of veterinary staff.
• Promote employee recognition and motivation; maintain departmental policies.
• Be part of Animal Care and Welfare Managers team; vehicle fleet oversight.
• Lead department projects; support organizational mission.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Regulatory compliance

AZA/OSHA/USDA/DEA familiarity

Communication skills

Tracks Medical Records System

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology, Animal Sciences, Biology, related science, or equivalent experience

Minimum of 5 years veterinary technician experience in an aquarium or zoo setting

Two years minimum experience in a manager or supervisory position

Registered Veterinary Technician through AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program

Valid motor vehicle operator’s license

Ability to work a flexible schedule including holidays/weekends

Tools

Tracks Medical Records System

Job description

Job Title: Hospital Manager

Posting Date: August 2026

Job Department: Animal Health

Schedule: Full Time

Job Type: On-site

Location: National Aquarium Pier 3 501 E Pratt St Baltimore, MD 21202/ACRC 901 E. Fayette St Baltimore, MD 21202

JOB SUMMARY:

The National Aquarium is seeking a Hospital Manager who demonstrates excellent representation of the aquarium through a positive attitude and teamwork-focused work ethic. The Hospital Manager performs a wide range of technical and administrative activities that serve to support effective veterinary operations. This position oversees the activities of the team and monitors the inventory of pharmacy, surgical, medical, laboratory, and necropsy supplies and equipment. The Hospital Manager also ensures compliance and standards are met with regulatory and accrediting bodies(AZA, OSHA, USDA, DEA, State Radiation, etc.). The Hospital Manager is integral to the maintenance of National Aquarium’s high animal welfare standards and to the advancement of the field and science of marine animal health. The Hospital Manager works collaboratively as part of the Animal Health team on developing and implementing policies and procedures to meet the Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA) top tier standards.

The Animal Health department at the National Aquarium is comprised of 2 Veterinarians (1 Senior and 1 Associate), a Veterinary Fellow, the Hospital Manager, and two Registered Veterinary Technicians, and is led by the Director of Animal Health and Welfare. The department provides exemplary clinical care for the aquarium’s diverse collection of invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and rehabilitating seals and sea turtles through a strong team-based collaborative approach.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Essential responsibilities include:

• Responsible for maintaining and managing pharmacy including oversight of controlled drugs and associated regulations
• Ensures scheduling for all planned medical procedures as well as team meetings and inter/intradepartmental rounds. Oversees requests to hospital to ensure appropriate allocation of personnel and resources to each need
• Plans, coordinates, and monitors the maintenance and acquisition of medical & diagnostic equipment, inventory of in-house testing supplies, and facilitates required state/federal inspections
• Supervises the veterinary technicians. Provides regular feedback, coordinates staffing schedule, facilitates regular staff meetings, & conducts performance reviews
• Provides technical training in onboarding new staff and improving the skill level of current staff members.
• Provides leadership support & workflow evaluation for veterinary medical and diagnostic procedures
• Serves as the departmental safety manager. Oversees all aspects of radiology safety including training of new hires and management of radiation exposure data
• Ensure hospital compliance with regulatory agencies & standards such as AZA, OSHA, DEA, State of Maryland, etc. Facilitates submission of work orders and monitoring of animal health workspaces
• Coordinates ordering of supplies and pharmaceuticals. Responsible for submitting receipts and assisting with budget allocation
• Ability to utilize computerized medical record keeping system, evaluate & oversee laboratory requests, and coordinate with laboratory staff
• Develops, evaluates, implements, & ensures compliance of departmental SOPs
• Responsible for staff development, coaching, goal setting, training, & promoting continuing education
• Participate in hiring & onboarding of veterinary staff
• Develop and promote employee recognition and motivation
• Acquire and maintain knowledge of corporate employee policies and departmental SOPs
• Actively participates as a member of the Animal Care and Welfare Managers team
• Manages the schedule and maintenance for the Animal Care and Welfare vehicle
• Leads department projects as assigned
• Support organization mission
• Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures
• Other duties as assigned or required

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology, Animal Sciences, Biology, related science, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of5years veterinary technician experience in an aquariumor zoosetting.
• Twoyears minimum experience in a manager or supervisory position demonstrating superior leadership & teamwork skills
• Registered VeterinaryTechnician through AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program
• Possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license, have an acceptable driving record, and possess the ability to drive a variety of vehicles (cars, vans/trucks).
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes holidays, weekendand/or evening hours, including the ability to shift schedules as needed based on clinical needs and staffing.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt quickly as the needs of the animal collection develop
• In-depth and current knowledge of diagnostic equipment and technologies
• Active Member of AZVT, AZA, or other relevant professional organization
• Experience with cetacean phlebotomy
• Experience with or exposure to principles of positive reinforcement training.
• Previous experience with Tracks Medical Records System

TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION:

Salary range ($64,700-82,474). National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including four weeks paid time off, and six paid floating holidays and up to four weeks of paid family leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work. Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.

About the National Aquarium

Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

Our Mission and Goals

The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.

Our Values

Connection

We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.

Curiosity

We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.

Optimism

We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.

Service

We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.

Wellbeing

We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.

In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, separation, and general treatment during time of employment.