ER/ICU Department Manager, Summit Veterinary Referral Center
Tacoma, WA
Full Time
ER
Manager/Supervisor
Department Manager
Job Summary
The Department Manager leads the nursing department to ensure smooth daily operations, effective labor management, and the highest standards of patient care. This role is responsible for developing staff, supporting workflow efficiency, and aligning departmental goals with hospital objectives. The Department Manager partners closely with the Hospital Director on financial and operational matters, and with the Medical Director on clinical quality and standards of care.
Leadership & Team Development
- Provides guidance, coaching, and support to nursing supervisors, leads, and staff.
- Leads as an inquisitive, servant-minded leader who remains calm under pressure and sets the professional tone for the team.
- Builds trust by remaining attuned to team dynamics while showing a high degree of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
- Fosters a positive, supportive work culture where staff are motivated and engaged.
- Responsible for recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding new team members.
- Conducts performance evaluations and facilitates professional development opportunities.
- Manages labor costs through oversight of staffing levels, scheduling, and department efficiency.
- Ensures daily workflow runs smoothly, including lunch coverage, and shift coverage due to call outs and PTO.
- Monitors and adjusts department operations to meet financial targets and operational goals.
- Approves timesheets and ensures accuracy.
- Identifies and implements process improvements that enhance efficiency, reduce burden, and support hospital-wide initiatives.
- Completes other relevant duties consistent with the hospital’s needs.
- Upholds patient care standards by ensuring staff adherence to protocols and best practices.
- Serves or provides a resource for staff in technical procedures and clinical problem-solving.
- Supports clinical training and professional growth to strengthen staff expertise in specialty and emergency medicine.
- Participates in quality assurance programs such as adverse event reporting and risk assessments.
- Promotes collaboration between nursing, doctors, and other hospital departments to improve the client and patient experience.
- Establishes clear performance expectations for clinical staff and supervisors.
- Provides timely, constructive feedback and coaching to reinforce accountability and growth.
- Works with supervisors to identify performance gaps and develop improvement plans when needed.
- Recognizes and rewards strong performance, fostering retention and career advancement.
- Serves as a neutral facilitator when conflicts or concerns arise, connecting staff with the appropriate leader or resource for resolution.
- Promotes open, respectful communication to address issues early and constructively.
- Guides staff through problem-solving approaches that align with hospital policies and culture.
- Adheres to fair and equitable performance management documentation, coaching and disciplinary action processes as stated in Leadership SOP.
- Collaborates with HR, the Hospital Director, or the Medical Director when escalated support is required.
- Credentialed Veterinary Technician (LVT, RVT, or CVT) strongly preferred.
- Minimum 5 years in veterinary clinical practice, or combination of experience related to healthcare. Minimum of 2 years of experience managing teams in high pressure environments.
- Strong knowledge of emergency/specialty care, anesthesia, or critical care preferred.
- Proven ability to manage teams, budgets, and workflows effectively.
- Excellent communication, EQ, conflict resolution, and leadership skills.
- Busy hospital environment with animals, cleaning agents, and bodily fluids
- Standing/walking for long periods, lifting up to 40 lbs
- Flexible schedule in conjunction with hospital needs which may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, or holidays.
Why Summit:
Summit Veterinary Referral Center is the largest Emergency and Specialty Center in the South Puget Sound. With specialists in Anesthesia, Cardiology, Emergency/Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Nutrition, Oncology, Surgery and Radiology, we work as a team to provide the most comprehensive patient and client care in our region. Grand rounds occur daily and our specialists are regularly available to consult on cases (even in the middle of the night). We have 7 surgical suites, CT/MRI, endoscopy, telemetry, digital radiography, echocardiography, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and more.
Our culture is all about collaboration, and a thriving passion for best medicine. We embrace your learning and development with a robust CE budget and opportunities for growth (VTS support). We strive for sustainable excellence with multiple structures in place to aid in reducing burnout and helping you live your best life!
We have grown steadily in our 13-year history, but we are still a young developing practice with a lot of heart. We need talented folks like you and your friends (don’t worry…we have PLENTY of room to fit in more folks like you) to help us keep growing, thriving, and delivering the absolute best in patient and client care.
Interested in joining our team?
If you are interested in applying and meet the qualifications, please complete the application and make sure to include an updated resume.
Ethos Veterinary Health is at the forefront of innovation and world-class medicine. As the premier network of over 140 specialty and emergency hospitals across North America, Ethos brings together a dedicated community of more than 1,500 specialized doctors providing care for nearly 2 million pets annually. The integrated and collaborative network of veterinary professionals utilize state-of-the-art technology and a scientific, evidence-based approach to deliver compassionate, unparalleled care and rewarding careers. Committed to revolutionizing veterinary medicine, Ethos sets the standard in veterinary excellence. Discover more at EthosVet.com.
Ethos Veterinary Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.
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