Lead Veterinary Technician: Emergency Room - ER

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Job Category:

University Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Veterinary Technician II

Job Summary:

Lead, Innovate, and Inspire in World-Class ER Medicine

Are you an experienced Certified Veterinary Technician ready to step into a leadership role? Do you thrive in the dynamic, fast-paced atmosphere of emergency medicine and take pride in mentoring the next generation of veterinary professionals?

At UW Veterinary Care, you’ll bring your clinical expertise to one of the nation’s premier veterinary teaching hospitals. As our Lead ER Veterinary Technician, you won't just manage cases—you will drive operational excellence, champion patient safety, mentor talented staff, and directly shape the quality of emergency care at a top-tier institution.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Working closely with the ER Supervisor, faculty, and clinical teams, you will serve as the operational backbone and clinical compass of our night-shift Emergency Service:

• Clinical & Operational Leadership: Drive smooth ER triage, task prioritization, and patient flow across ER, CCU, ICW, and Client Care. Step in on the floor during high-volume spikes or staff coverages.
• Mentorship & Development: Onboard, train, and guide CVTs, veterinary assistants, and student employees. Manage student staffing, scheduling, and skill development.
• Process Improvement & Safety: Develop and refine ER Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), emergency protocols, sedation guidelines, and after-hours workflows while acting as a champion for patient safety.
• Equipment & Resource Management: Oversee ER equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, specialty inventory, and supply flow to keep the department fully battle-ready.
• Liaison & Communication: Serve as the frontline connection between staff, faculty, and hospital leadership—solving operational challenges and streamlining after-hours clinician calls and referrals.

Schedule: This position is 90–100% FTE (36–40 hours per week), with general work hours from 8:00 PM–6:00 AM. The anticipated schedule consists of four 10-hour night shifts with rotating weekend coverage on Saturday or Sunday.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Documents and disseminates results to the appropriate entities (10%)

• Serves as a point of contact for animal owners and stakeholders providing information and answering questions (10%)

• Prepares, completes, monitors, and documents complex technical animal care procedures and work unit activities, assessments, and medication administration according to established care plans and medical necessity (20%)

• Assists in the facilitation of trainings for animal care staff and supervises student employees as needed (10%)

• Develops recordkeeping processes, maintains organization of and updates records related to medical procedures and billing (10%)

• Monitors animal health status and records, provides nursing care, notifies veterinarian when status changes, and records in the medical record (20%)

• Tracks supply inventory levels and places replenishment orders (10%)

• Completes routine laboratory tests and collects specimen according to established medical orders and care plans (10%)

Department:

School of Veterinary Medicine
UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) Hospital
Emergency Room (ER)

Compensation:

The starting hourly rate for this position is $26.00. This position may be filled at the Veterinary Technician 2 or 3 level, with placement and pay determined by experience, credentials, and qualifications.

Shift Differentials: Additional +$8/hour offered for qualifying add-ons and differentials.

Sign-On Bonus: 5% of annual base pay paid out over your first year!

Why Bring Your Expertise to UW Veterinary Care?

• Badger Pride & Community: Be part of the University of Wisconsin–Madison—a globally recognized institution offering unmatched stability, world-class resources, and a strong sense of community pride.
• Industry-Leading Compensation: Enjoy high base pay coupled with aggressive shift differentials and sign-on bonus.
• Unmatched Benefits: Access Wisconsin’s top-tier state benefits package, including a robust pension plan (WRS), exceptional health coverage, and generous paid time off.
• Invested in Your Growth: Receive financial support for continuing education, specialty certification (VTS) pursuits, an annual shoe allowance, referral bonuses, and branded apparel.
• Modern Facilities & Supportive Culture: Work in a collaborative environment where cross-departmental teamwork, patient advocacy, and continuous learning are prioritized.

Required Qualifications:

• Proven track record of developing/improving SOPs, clinical workflows, or quality initiatives.
• Exceptional leadership, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs independently and perform specialized clinical procedures with manual dexterity.

This position is posted at Vet Tech Level 2 and Level 3. Level and compensation are determined based on experience and credentials:

• Level 2: Typically 2+ years of veterinary technician experience (specialization may substitute for years of experience).
• Level 3: Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS), or highly specialized experience in emergency/critical care (including academic/university hospital experience).

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in a high-volume emergency veterinary hospital or specialty practice.
• Prior experience training, mentoring, or leading technicians and support staff.

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Active Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) required
• Associates Degree preferred
• Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential in Emergency & Critical Care (ECC) or other relevant discipline preferred

How to Apply:

Ready to elevate your career and lead an extraordinary team? Click the “Apply” button to submit your current resume. You may also include a cover letter highlighting your clinical experience and interest in the position.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

The deadline for assuring full consideration is October 22, 2026; however, this position will remain open and applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Contact Information:

Hiring Manager: Hayley Pooler, Veterinary Nurse Supervisor, [email protected]

Human Resources Support: Anne Kaldunski, HR Coordinator, [email protected]

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. 
 
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). 
 
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