Manager of Veterinary Nursing Operations

SAN-Francisco-Spc; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)

Life Insurance

Long-term Disability Insurance

401(k) with employer matching

Student debt relief program

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Discounts on retail and pet supplies

Discounts on SF SPCA veterinary care

Job summary

The San Francisco SPCA is seeking a Manager of Veterinary Nursing Operations to lead the Hospital Nursing team and ensure exceptional patient care and client experience.

You will champion operational excellence, ensure DEA/OSHA compliance, manage equipment, and partner with hospital leadership to drive process improvements.

This role requires strong leadership, hands-on supervision, and a passion for compassionate care in a nonprofit shelter setting.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in veterinary medicine with operations focus.
• 3+ years leading veterinary or clinical teams.
• Experience with DEA/Controlled Substances and OSHA compliance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of hospital nursing team.
• Improve client and patient journey end-to-end.
• Maintain on-the-floor presence to drive efficiency.
• Lead standard work and workflows.
• Coordinate with vendors for repairs and maintenance.
• Coach RVT and VA team members on floor.

Skills

Leadership experience

Veterinary nursing operations

Staff training

Regulatory compliance

Client experience focus

Equipment maintenance

Education

RVT credential preferred

Tools

Practice management systems

Job description

Description

Join a team at the intersection of exceptional veterinary care and social change.

At the San Francisco SPCA, we believe every pet deserves compassionate, high-quality veterinary care—no matter their guardian’s financial situation. As a nonprofit, we break down barriers to care by offering financial assistance and individualized medical support to thousands of animals each year. Our work doesn’t serve shareholders—it serves pets, people, and the community.

We are seeking a Manager of Veterinary Nursing Operations to lead and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Hospital Nursing team, ensuring that the client and patient journey, staff workflows, facility, and equipment all function smoothly and support exceptional care. This role champions a culture of operational excellence and reliability, partnering closely with the Nursing Care Manager and hospital leadership to drive process improvements, uphold regulatory compliance (including DEA/Controlled Substances and OSHA requirements), and maintain equipment and facility readiness. With a strong focus on meeting clients where they are at, staff development, and continuous improvement, the Manager ensures the Hospital's operations consistently support the delivery of high-quality, compassionate veterinary care along with exceptional client experience.

This position isn’t just about treating patients, it’s about caring for animals, supporting people, and strengthening community.

Core Responsibilities:

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the hospital nursing team, to include processes and improvements, in partnership with the Nursing Care Manager
• Drive the day-to-day flow of the practice with client satisfaction as a top priority.
• Own the client and patient journey end-to-end, meeting clients where they are to ensure an efficient, seamless experience from start to finish.
• Maintain active, on-the-floor presence to drive operational efficiency and clear communication, grounded in a relationship-centered approach.
• Lead continuous improvement of the client experience and key touchpoints to guarantee a seamless visit every time.
• Lead the development of standard work, ensuring workflows are in place for the team to follow.
• Assist with development and implementation of hospital policies, including DEA/Controlled Substances and OSHA compliance
• Owns equipment maintenance and functionality
• Builds and maintains a preventive maintenance schedule for all medical, surgical, and facility equipment
• Coordinates with vendors and service technicians for repairs, calibration, inspections, and servicing
• Maintains accurate equipment inventory, warranty records, service contracts, and maintenance logs
• Ensures loaner/backup equipment plans are in place to minimize care disruptions during downtime
• Trains staff on proper equipment use, care, and basic troubleshooting
• Conducts regular facility and equipment walkthroughs to proactively identify safety, cleanliness, or functionality concerns
• Participates in driving client visits through enhanced patient care efficiencies and DVM support.
• Provide on the floor day-to-day coaching and supervision of RVT and VA team members
• Participate in the planning and goal setting process for the practice and staff
• Assist with running team and management meetings on a regular basis.
• Assist in the hiring, coaching, accountability and termination of all team members (to include management team) as needed with support from the Sr. Director of Operations
• Oversee training of all new team members; ensure all mentors are accurately trained and provide regular feedback
• Perform employee evaluations and reviews for team members and managers as needed
• Resolve client concerns and escalations, ensuring follow up communication
• Perform quality checks and reviews of patient files weekly to ensure accuracy of charges and medical documentation
• Assist with finding coverage for all call outs, injuries or illnesses as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in veterinary medicine, with a strong understanding of veterinary clinical operations, patient flow, appointment scheduling, and veterinary practice management systems.
• 3+ years of progressive leadership experience, including experience supervising, coaching, developing, and holding veterinary or clinical teams accountable for performance.
• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) credential preferred, but not required.
• Demonstrated experience leading and improving veterinary workflows and processes, with the ability to identify operational inefficiencies, develop solutions, and implement sustainable improvements.
• Experience managing or optimizing technician utilization, staffing models, and clinical capacity in a veterinary setting.
• Strong understanding or veterinary nursing/technician workflows, including animal handling, patient care, treatment flow, and coordination across clinical teams.
• Experience with veterinary equipment, including routine handling, maintenance, troubleshooting, and coordinating repairs or service as needed.
• Experience overseeing or improving dental operations and workflows is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to increase operational capacity and efficiency while maintaining high standards of patient care and team performance.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across veterinary, medical, and operational teams.
• Ability to safely lift and handle animals and equipment as required by the role.
• Experience as a Practice Manager, Veterinary Practice Manager, Veterinary Technician Supervisor, or other veterinary clinical operations leader is highly valued.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a shelter/animal hospital setting
• Frequent bending, reaching, kneeling, and climbing stairs while seeing patients
• Regular sitting at a computer workstation 4-6 hrs per day to input patient data
• Regularly moves about the campus to coordinate work
• Exposure to disinfectant solutions when in kennel & treatment areas
• Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals
• Repeated lifting and carrying of animals weighing up to 50 pounds
• Consistent exposure to animals and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available

Salary Description:

The starting salary for this position depends on the depth and breadth of experience. Salary is expected to range between $103,000 - $114,000 per year. Regular, full-time positions are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer contribution matching
• Student debt relief program
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Discounts on retail and pet supplies
• Discounts on veterinary care at SF SPCA Mission Campus Veterinary Hospital and Spay/Neuter Clinic

The SF SPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job ad reflects the assignment of essential functions and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The San Francisco SPCA is an at-will employer and may conduct pre-employment background checks and drug screening depending on the role.