Large Animal Veterinary Technician Supervisor

Universities of Wisconsin • Madison, WI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

UW Veterinary Care is seeking a dedicated and skilled Veterinary Technician Supervisor to lead its 24/7 Large Animal Nursing team. The supervisor oversees daily hospital operations, supports and develops veterinary nursing staff, and helps ensure exceptional patient care in an efficient, collaborative, and supportive environment. The role is a working supervisor position that also performs veterinary technical and nursing care alongside the team.

The supervisor oversees nursing, technician, assistant, and student hourly staff; coordinates staffing, workflows, patient capacity, and patient flow; supports veterinary education and clinical training; and establishes and monitors patient-care policies, procedures, and standards. The position also oversees infection prevention and biosecurity, inventory and equipment, facility needs, blood donor program operations, client and referral service coordination, and hospital readiness. It works across shifts and departments to support continuity of care and operational effectiveness.

This is a full-time, 100% FTE position (40 hours per week). The anticipated schedule is Monday through Friday, with shifts between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., typically 8 or 10 hours long. The position requires working every other weekend, with weekday hours adjusted during weeks that include a weekend shift. On-call and holiday coverage are also required according to operational needs.

The starting hourly rate is $31.00, negotiable based on experience and qualifications. Night and weekend differentials are offered: $6.00 per hour for weekday shifts after 6:00 p.m.; $4.80 per hour for daytime Saturday and Sunday shifts; and $7.80 per hour for Saturday and Sunday shifts after 6:00 p.m. A sign-on bonus of 3% of base pay, based on FTE, is paid over the first year of employment.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of CVT experience.
• Veterinary Technician Certification (CVT) required.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds independently.
• Physical and manual dexterity to perform specialized technical tasks.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to work every other weekend, with weekday hours adjusted in weeks that include a weekend shift.
• Availability for on-call and holiday coverage as operational needs require.

Nice To Haves

• At least 2 years of previous leadership experience or equivalent, ideally in a clinical setting.
• Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS).
• Associate’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Act as a working supervisor supporting the large animal nursing team and hospital operations.
• Prepare, complete, and document technical animal care procedures, assessments, and medication administration according to established care plans and medical necessity.
• Develop animal care procedures, protocols, and reference materials to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Exercise supervisory authority over at least 2.0 FTE employees, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and approving hours worked.
• Provide nursing animal care for patients and work alongside other veterinary technicians.
• Schedule logistics and secure resources to ensure adequate staffing, equipment, and supplies for the designated animal care unit.
• Oversee veterinary nursing, technician, assistant, and student hourly staff, staffing, workflows, and daily operations.
• Support veterinary education and clinical training, including student orientation, scheduling, on-call coordination, and other educational experiences.
• Oversee patient care standards and monitor implementation and compliance with policies, procedures, SOPs, and performance standards.
• Coordinate hospital capacity and patient flow, including stall utilization, isolation and quarantine needs, patient placement, and space allocation.
• Lead infectious disease prevention and biosecurity efforts, including monitoring trends, ensuring isolation and disinfection practices, and educating staff, students, and clinicians.
• Oversee inventory, supplies, medications, controlled substances, plasma and blood products, feed, medical supplies, equipment, charge capture, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance, vendors, facility projects, remodeling, and communication about operational or infrastructure concerns.
• Support blood donor program operations, including donor care and collection, compliance, recordkeeping, and blood and plasma inventory management.
• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, train, schedule, manage performance, and develop veterinary nursing, assistant, and student employees.
• Coordinate communication and continuity of care across shifts and services through handoffs, rounds, clinician communication, and coordination with ancillary services.
• Help coordinate scheduling and respond to routine service and estimate inquiries; identify ways to improve client experience and reduce clinicians’ administrative burden.
• Oversee hospital readiness, including stocking, organization, cleanliness, feed and supply management, and maintenance of clinical areas.
• Partner with IT and other hospital departments on technology, equipment, medication management systems, and operational resources.
• Represent the Large Animal Hospital at hospital-wide meetings and foster collaboration across departments.
• Participate in on-call responsibilities and perform other duties as assigned to support operations and patient care.

Benefits

• Competitive wages, including applicable night and weekend differentials.
• Outstanding employee benefits.
• Ample paid time off.
• Financial support for continuing education and pursuit of specialty certification.
• Relocation fee reimbursement for those who qualify.
• Referral bonuses.
• Annual shoe allowance.
• Yearly provision of hospital-branded clothing.
• Sign-on bonus of 3% of base pay, based on FTE, paid over the first year of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree