Large Animal Veterinary Technician Supervisor

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

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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 operations, supports and develops veterinary nursing staff, and helps ensure exceptional patient care in a fast-paced large animal hospital. The role combines hands-on veterinary technical work with leadership and operational oversight, fostering an efficient, collaborative, and supportive environment.

This position is full time at 100% FTE (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 role requires working every other weekend (Saturday or Sunday), with weekday hours adjusted during weeks that include a weekend shift. On-call and holiday coverage are also required as determined by operational needs.

The starting hourly rate is $31.00, negotiable based on experience and qualifications. Additional night and weekend differentials are offered: $6.00 per hour for Monday–Friday 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.

The role is in the School of Veterinary Medicine, UW Veterinary Care Hospital Large Animal. Applicants must provide a current resume and be eligible to work in the United States by the effective date of appointment. The deadline for full consideration is November 8, 2026; the position remains open until filled.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) experience.
• Veterinary Technician Certification (CVT) is required.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds independently.
• Physical and manual dexterity to perform specialized technical tasks.
• Strong communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• A minimum of 2 years of previous leadership experience or equivalent, ideally in a clinical setting.
• Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) certification.
• Associate's degree.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee Large Animal Hospital operations, including veterinary nursing, technician, assistant, and student hourly staff, and ensure staffing and workflows support patient care, client service, teaching, and operational needs.
• Support veterinary education and clinical training through student orientation, scheduling, on-call coordination, and other educational experiences.
• Oversee patient-care operations and standards, including developing and implementing policies, procedures, SOPs, and performance standards; monitor compliance and address concerns.
• Coordinate hospital capacity and patient flow, including stall utilization, isolation and quarantine needs, patient placement, and allocation of space based on patient type, clinical needs, and infection-control considerations.
• Help lead infectious-disease prevention and biosecurity efforts by monitoring trends, ensuring appropriate isolation and disinfection practices, and educating staff, students, and clinicians.
• Oversee inventory, supplies, medications, and equipment, including controlled substances, plasma and blood products, feed, medical supplies, and specialized equipment.
• Ensure appropriate charge capture and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee equipment and facility needs, including maintenance, vendor coordination, facility projects, remodeling, and communication about operational or infrastructure concerns.
• Support blood donor program operations, including donor care and collection, regulatory compliance, recordkeeping, and management of blood and plasma inventories.
• Lead workforce activities, including recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, scheduling, and staff development for veterinary nursing, assistant, and student employees.
• Coordinate communication and continuity of care across shifts and services through handoffs, rounds, communication with clinicians, and coordination between nursing teams and ancillary services.
• Support client and referral service needs by helping coordinate scheduling, responding to routine service and estimate inquiries, and identifying opportunities to improve the client experience and reduce administrative burden on clinicians.
• Oversee hospital readiness and environment, including stocking, organization, cleanliness, feed and supply management, and maintaining clinical areas for patient care.
• Partner with IT and other hospital departments to support technology, equipment, medication-management systems, and other operational resources.
• Represent the Large Animal Hospital at hospital-wide meetings with leaders from other sections and foster collaboration across departments.
• Participate in on-call responsibilities and other duties as assigned to support continuity of operations and patient care.
• Work as a hands-on supervisor supporting the large animal nursing team.
• 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 related reference materials to ensure compliance with established 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 optimal operation of the assigned animal-care unit.

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