Head Veterinary Technician

Head Veterinary Technician

Internal Position Title: Treatment Team Manager

Ready to take the next step in your veterinary career?

Take a virtual tour of our hospital here: https://vimeo.com/295235796

Countryside Veterinary Center is a busy, full-service small animal hospital in Countryside, IL. We see a wide variety of cases and offer everything from wellness and urgent care to surgery, dentistry, rehabilitation, and more.

We’re looking for an experienced veterinary technician who is ready to take the next step into leadership and join our Treatment team as a Head Veterinary Technician.

This is a hands-on leadership position that combines clinical work with team leadership, training, scheduling, department organization, and continued development of our Treatment team. You’ll work alongside our Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, and Treatment Assistants while partnering with our doctors and hospital leadership to keep the department running smoothly and help our team continue to grow.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys working with people just as much as they enjoy veterinary medicine — someone who likes teaching, mentoring, organizing, and being someone their team can turn to.

The Schedule

This is a full-time position, with evening and weekend availability required. Our Treatment team typically works a 4-day work week, with schedules designed around longer shifts — generally two 12-hour shifts, one shorter weekday shift, and every other weekend.

Weekend frequency may vary based on hospital needs and scheduling.

As a leadership position, some flexibility in scheduling will be expected based on the needs of the department.

What You’ll Do

This position combines hands-on veterinary medicine with leadership and department oversight. Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead and support our Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, and Treatment Assistants
• Help oversee the daily workflow, organization, and staffing of the Treatment Department
• Recruit, interview, onboard, train, and develop treatment team members
• Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, feedback, and support
• Help create and maintain department SOPs, protocols, and training programs
• Work with team members to help them build their skills and reach their professional goals
• Work alongside our doctors and medical team to provide excellent patient care
• Remain hands-on with examinations, procedures, surgery, dentistry, anesthesia, laboratory work, patient monitoring, and other technical responsibilities
• Serve as a clinical and technical resource for the treatment team
• Coordinate scheduling and appropriate department coverage
• Maintain an organized, well-stocked, and efficient Treatment Department
• Foster relationships with veterinary technician schools and coordinate externship opportunities
• Participate in hospital leadership meetings and hospital-wide initiatives
• Collaborate with other departments to support smooth hospital operations
• Be a go-to resource for the Treatment team and help foster a positive, collaborative work environment

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has at least 3 years of veterinary technician experience
• Illinois CVT certification required
• Has previous experience training, mentoring, leading, or supervising others
• Has strong technical and clinical skills and enjoys staying hands-on
• Is organized and able to manage multiple priorities in a busy hospital
• Communicates clearly and professionally with doctors, team members, hospital leadership, and clients
• Can provide constructive feedback and hold people accountable
• Enjoys teaching and developing other team members
• Likes identifying problems and figuring out how to make things work better
• Takes initiative and follows through
• Can remain calm and professional in challenging situations
• Wants to take ownership of a department and have a meaningful impact on the team
• Enjoys being both a leader and an active member of the Treatment team

We Invest in Your Growth

This role offers the opportunity to continue developing your clinical skills while building your leadership experience and taking on greater responsibility within the hospital.

• CE allowance
• Paid time to attend CE
• Paid Illinois CVT credential renewal
• Leadership and management development opportunities
• Opportunities to work directly with hospital leadership
• Opportunities to take ownership of department initiatives and training

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive pay
• PTO & sick pay
• 7 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays
• Health, dental & vision insurance
• Employer-paid short-term disability insurance, with buy-up option
• Life & disability insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental/child-bonding leave
• Generous employee discount
• Bring your pet to work with you
• Paid training
• Snacks & coffee always stocked

Compensation

$24–$33/hour

Actual compensation will be based on experience, skills, credentials, and qualifications.

Education & Certification

• Minimum of 3 years of veterinary technician experience
• Illinois CVT certification required
• Veterinary technician education from an accredited program
• Previous leadership, supervisory, training, or management experience preferred

Countryside Veterinary Center is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome.

If you’re an experienced veterinary technician who is ready to take the next step into leadership, enjoys developing people, and wants to be an important part of a growing hospital, we’d love to meet you. Apply today!

Pay: $24.00 - $33.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Continuing education credits
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• License reimbursement
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Tell us about your previous leadership experience, including training, mentoring, supervising, scheduling, or managing others.
• What qualities are you able to contribute that will positively affect our company culture?

License/Certification:

• Illinois CVT license (Required)

Work Location: In person