Veterinary Technician Director - Emergency & Critical Care

Careerwebsite; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership bonus

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid Time Off

Continuing Education allowance

Pet care discount

Job summary

Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville is seeking a Veterinary Nursing Director to lead and mentor a growing team of Veterinary Technicians and Assistants in emergency and critical care. You will play a key role in developing training programs, improving nursing standards, and partnering with veterinarians and leadership to drive hospital growth.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership on the floor, staff recruitment, and the ongoing advancement of a high‑quality nursing program in a

Qualifications

• Credentialed Veterinary Technician (LVT, RVT, or CVT) with leadership skills.
• Minimum 5 years of veterinary technician experience.
• Experience leading teams in a hospital setting.
• Strong communication and coaching abilities.
• Clinical leadership in emergency and critical care.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support Veterinary Technicians and Assistants.
• Foster a collaborative nursing culture.
• Recruit, interview, hire, onboarding, and retention initiatives.
• Develop technician training programs and mentorship opportunities.
• Create growth pathways for technicians at all levels.
• Promote continuing education and advanced clinical skills.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide coaching.
• Partner with leadership to improve staffing and retention.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Emergency & Critical Care

Team-building

Communication

Education

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Job description

Veterinary Technician Director - Emergency & Critical Care

Department: Veterinary Technicians

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

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

Description

Lead, Mentor, and Elevate Veterinary Nursing at One of East Tennessee's Premier Emergency Hospitals

Are you a credentialed Veterinary Technician who is passionate about Emergency & Critical Care medicine, developing veterinary professionals, and advancing the veterinary nursing profession?

Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville (AESC Knoxville) is seeking an experienced Veterinary Nursing Director to lead our growing team of Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants. This is an exciting opportunity for a strong clinical leader who wants to make a lasting impact on patient care, technician development, hospital operations, and team culture.

We are looking for a leader who enjoys being actively involved on the hospital floor-not someone who wants to sit behind a desk all day. You'll work alongside our technicians, assistants, veterinarians, and leadership team to strengthen training programs, improve nursing standards, support recruitment and retention efforts, and help build the next generation of exceptional veterinary technicians.

If you've been looking for a role where you can combine your passion for emergency medicine, leadership, mentorship, and veterinary nursing excellence, we'd love to meet you.

Salary: $60,000-$80,000 annually (based on experience and credentials)

At AESC Knoxville, veterinary technicians play a critical role in delivering advanced emergency and specialty care. We believe highly trained, credentialed technicians deserve opportunities for growth, leadership, and professional development.

As our Veterinary Nursing Director, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead and mentor a talented team of Veterinary Technicians and Assistants
• Help recruit, train, and retain top veterinary talent
• Develop technician training programs and career advancement pathways
• Improve patient care standards and nursing protocols
• Collaborate directly with specialists, emergency veterinarians, and hospital leadership
• Influence hospital-wide clinical and operational initiatives
• Support and elevate the role of credentialed veterinary technicians
• Help shape the future growth of a rapidly expanding emergency and specialty hospital

Here is What Your day May Consist of:

• Lead, mentor, and support Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable nursing culture
• Assist with recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and retention initiatives
• Develop technician training programs and mentorship opportunities
• Create clear growth pathways for technicians at all experience levels
• Promote continuing education and technical skill advancement
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide coaching and development support
• Partner with leadership to improve employee engagement and retention

• Maintain a strong presence on the treatment floor
• Provide hands‑on support during emergency and critical cases
• Assist in overseeing Emergency, Critical Care, Swing Shift, and Overnight nursing operations
• Help coordinate technician scheduling and clinical staffing coverage
• Collaborate with veterinarians and leadership to optimize workflow and efficiency
• Serve as a clinical resource and mentor for technicians across all departments
• Support cross‑training initiatives and technical skill development

• Develop and maintain veterinary nursing protocols and standards of care
• Promote best practices in:
  • Emergency & Critical Care nursing
  • Anesthesia monitoring
  • Patient assessment and triage
  • Venipuncture and catheter placement
  • Blood transfusion therapy
  • Advanced patient monitoring
  • Critical care procedures
• Support quality improvement initiatives and patient safety programs
• Ensure compliance with hospital policies, medical standards, and regulatory requirements
• Champion exceptional patient advocacy and client service

Here is What You Will Bring to the Position:

• Credentialed Veterinary Technician (LVT, RVT, or CVT)
• Minimum of 5 years of Veterinary Technician experience
• Previous leadership, supervisory, or management experience in a veterinary hospital
• Strong technical skills in emergency and critical care medicine
• Excellent communication, coaching, and team‑building abilities
• Ability to lead in a fast‑paced, high‑acuity environment
• Passion for veterinary technician development and mentorship
• Self‑motivated and highly organized professional

• Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency & Critical Care (ECC)
• Experience in Emergency, Specialty, or Referral Medicine
• Experience managing teams of Veterinary Technicians and Assistants
• Experience creating training programs, SOPs, and nursing protocols
• Strong understanding of technician utilization and nursing workflow optimization
• Passion for advancing the veterinary technician profession

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

About Animal Emergency & Specialty Center - Knoxville

Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville is an AAHA Accredited, premier referral and emergency veterinary hospital. We have an emergency and critical care unit that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We have a variety of board‑certified surgeons and specialists at AESC who treat a wide range of veterinary orthopedic, oncology, thoracic, abdominal, and soft‑tissue conditions. Our team includes over 20 compassionate and highly trained Licensed Veterinary Technicians, numerous veterinary assistants, other support staff, and supportive administration.

We have the latest specialized surgery and diagnostic instrumentation and equipment including 16‑slice CT scanner, Vivid iQ echocardiogram platform, digital radiology, ultrasound systems, fluoroscopy unity, endoscopy, high‑def Storz tower with new laparoscopic equipment, Arthrex equipment, LigaSure, Autocon III, Storz Ho‑YAG laser, Synthes locking plates, and ESF equipment. In 2027, we will be completing our 20,000‑square‑foot specialty expansion and we will be adding Neurology, Cardiology, and other specialists to our team, as well as a new MRI scanner, CT scanner, linear accelerator, IR suite with ceiling‑mounted fluoroscopy, and surgical suites measuring at least 18' x 18'.

Our hospital is a neighborhood and community partner that provides advanced diagnostics, evaluations, and care in an environment rooted in comfort and compassion. Hear more about working with us from our team at the Animal Emergency and Specialty Center of Knoxville!

Animal Emergency and Specialty is a proud partner of Innovetive Petcare. Where we believe that you are the future of veterinary medicine. Cultivate, innovate, develop, and collaborate. Excellent pet care comes from exceptional teams.

Equal Opportunity Employer Policy

Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We are proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, or any other non‑merit factor. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.