Veterinary Technician Director - Emergency & Critical Care

Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid Time Off

Continuing Education support

Leadership development opportunities

Employee pet care discount

Job summary

Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville seeks an experienced Veterinary Nursing Director to lead our veterinary technicians and assistants on the floor, mentor staff, and partner with hospital leadership to elevate patient care.

This leadership role also participates in swing and overnight operations, develops training pathways, implements nursing protocols, and fosters a culture of clinical excellence in a fast-paced emergency and specialty environment.

Qualifications

• Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT, RVT, or CVT).
• Minimum of 5 years of veterinary technician experience.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team-building

Mentoring

Emergency care

Organizational skills

Self-starter

Education

Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT, RVT, or CVT)

Job description

Clinical Leadership in a Growing Emergency & Specialty Hospital

Department: Veterinary Technicians

Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

Compensation: $60,000 - $80,000 / year

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