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Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Nursing Manager
Job Summary:
The Head of Veterinary Nursing Services is an integral member of the UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) leadership team and provides strategic and operational leadership for veterinary nursing teams across the hospital. Working in partnership with the Associate Hospital Director, clinical service leaders, and supervisors, the Head of Veterinary Nursing Services ensures that nursing operations support UWVC’s mission of exceptional patient care, outstanding client and referring veterinarian service, education, research, and the development of the veterinary nursing profession.
The Head of Veterinary Nursing Services provides leadership and oversight for nursing operations across UWVC’s clinical services and facilities, with a focus on quality and safety, staffing and workforce planning, recruitment and retention, staff development, operational efficiency, service excellence, and the consistent delivery of high-quality patient care. This position will help establish sustainable nursing practices and systems that support UWVC’s continued growth while fostering a positive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.
Position Responsibilities
The Head of Veterinary Nursing Services provides strategic and operational leadership for veterinary nursing teams across UW Veterinary Care. The position directly supervises and mentors veterinary nurse supervisors, providing leadership oversight to ensure effective staffing, operations, and service delivery. The Head of Veterinary Nursing Services may assume direct oversight of services during periods without formal leadership or when supervisor positions are vacant. This role leads a diverse workforce that includes university staff and student hourly employees.
Leadership & Operations
Lead, mentor, and develop veterinary nursing/technician supervisors and service leads, promoting accountability, collaboration, and an exceptional employee experience.
Provide guidance on staffing, scheduling, workflows, performance management, and operational priorities across clinical services.
Partner with Hospital leadership, Human Resources, and clinical leaders on employee relations, performance management, organizational change, and workforce needs.
Serve as a member of the UWVC leadership team and collaborate across clinical and administrative efforts.
Support consistent nursing standards, policies, procedures, and workflows across UWVC.
Workforce, Recruitment & Retention
Develop and implement workforce strategies to recruit, retain, and develop a highly skilled veterinary nursing workforce.
Establish career development, mentorship, continuing education, internship, externship, and talent pipeline programs and work with outreach coordinator.
Evaluate staffing models and deployment of nursing resources to support patient care, staff well-being, and operational sustainability.
Patient Care, Quality & Professional Development
Promote high-quality, consistent, and compassionate patient and client care through nursing standards, training, protocols, and continuous improvement.
Identify opportunities to improve patient care, team performance, and operational efficiency through education, technology, equipment, and standardized processes.
Support professional development and continuing education for veterinary nurses, technicians, and assistants.
Promote cross-training and professional growth opportunities across services.
Strategic Planning, Technology & Financial Stewardship
Participate in strategic planning and organizational initiatives that support UWVC’s missions of patient care, teaching, research, and service.
Use operational and financial data to evaluate staffing, resource utilization, budgets, and opportunities for sustainable operations.
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