Supervisor of Veterinary Assistants - Emergency & Critical Care

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

10d•$20 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisor of Veterinary Assistants – Emergency & Critical Care is a hands-on, working leadership role within a fast-paced ECC service. This position serves as the primary point of contact for veterinary assistants and volunteers, helping guide daily workflow, support staff development, and maintain a positive, organized, and efficient hospital environment. This is not an office-based position; the supervisor is expected to be on the floor, actively engaged in patient care support, team communication, and day-to-day operations. As ECC continues to grow, this role offers an exciting opportunity to help cultivate veterinary assistants into a stronger, more skilled team while building leadership capacity within the department. The ideal candidate is enthusiastic about teaching, team development, and creating a supportive culture where employees can grow their veterinary knowledge and confidence. This role is designed for someone who enjoys being in the middle of the action and wants to help shape a growing team. The supervisor will not be confined to administrative work; instead, they will be expected to work alongside the team, model strong professional behavior, and help create a culture of accountability, learning, and mutual respect. Success in this position means balancing leadership responsibilities with active floor presence and daily support of the ECC service. The supervisor should be someone who can identify team strengths, support employee development, and bring energy to a growing department. This is a chance to help build something meaningful while making a direct impact on staff retention, morale, and patient care support. This position works in a busy emergency and critical care environment with a rotating stream of patients, team needs, and service priorities. The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic setting, enjoys helping others succeed, and understands that strong leadership in ECC happens through presence, communication, and action. This is a working supervisor position with an emphasis on floor leadership, staff development, and daily operational support. As ECC expands, this role will help shape the future of the assistant team by strengthening training, improving communication, and supporting a positive and professional work culture. It is an opportunity for someone who wants to grow into leadership while helping others grow alongside them.

Requirements

Associate’s degree and two years of relevant experience; or a high school diploma or equivalent and four years of relevant experience.
Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute an equivalent rate for the required experience.
Previous veterinary experience required, preferably in emergency and critical care.
Strong knowledge of veterinary nursing care and technical support practices.
Prior leadership, training, or supervisory experience preferred.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
Ability to remain calm, adaptable, and professional in a high-volume clinical setting.
Demonstrated ability to mentor others and support a positive team culture.
Comfortable managing multiple priorities while staying actively engaged on the floor.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary operational lead for veterinary assistants and volunteers assigned to ECC.
Provide direct, hands-on supervision on the floor during shift hours.
Support daily staffing flow, assignment coverage, and operational coordination for the service.
Assist with hiring by participating in recruitment, interviews, candidate evaluation, and onboarding of new veterinary assistants.
Coordinate scheduling, including shift coverage, staffing needs, time-off planning, and adjustments based on hospital demand.
Support payroll processes by reviewing timekeeping accuracy, addressing corrections, and helping ensure timely payroll submission.
Lead orientation and training for new veterinary assistants and volunteers.
Develop staff through ongoing coaching, mentorship, and skill-building in basic to advanced technical tasks.
Conduct regular employee one-on-one meetings to support performance, engagement, accountability, and professional growth.
Foster a positive work environment through clear communication, recognition, support, and follow-through.
Organize and participate in team meetings, huddles, and service updates to keep staff informed and aligned.
Plan and coordinate veterinary assistant appreciation events and team-building activities.
Serve as a communication bridge between assistants, technicians, doctors, and leadership.
Promote teamwork, professionalism, and accountability across the ECC service and related departments.
Monitor cleanliness, organization, and readiness of ECC work areas, equipment, and supply stations.
Ensure the maintenance and upkeep of patient care areas, treatment spaces, and support areas.
Help create systems that improve workflow efficiency and consistency across the team.
Support volunteer training and oversight to ensure volunteers understand expectations and contribute appropriately.
Encourage continuous learning and help assistants build confidence in veterinary nursing skills and ECC procedures.
Assist with conflict resolution, workflow concerns, and team communication challenges as they arise.
Maintain visibility and accessibility to staff as a working supervisor who leads by example.