ER Department Leader - Hope Advanced Veterinary Center

Bring your skills to PetVet and earn a sign-on bonus of up to $5,000 based on your experience as a credentialed veterinary technician!

PetVet Care Centers' Hope Advanced Veterinary Center is currently seeking a ER Department Leader to join our team!

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

• Join Hope Advanced Veterinary Center, an AAHA-accredited, 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital serving pets throughout Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
• This hands-on clinical leadership role offers the opportunity to remain actively involved in patient care while helping shape ER workflow, team training, professional development, and standards of care.
• Our ER team works collaboratively with board-certified specialists and is supported by continued investments in structured onboarding, clinical education, and technician and assistant development.
• Licensed Veterinary Technician candidates may be eligible for a sign-on bonus of up to $5,000.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain processes for effective medical record keeping and billing
• Collect and process work charts
• Assist with entering in-patient charges and/or procedures performed in billing system
• Ensure invoices are sent monthly and as requested by clients and doctors
• Process payments and monthly statements
• Resolve escalated financial problems with clients, collecting delinquent accounts and "NSF'” checks; determines when special financial agreements are appropriate
• Assist with monitoring and reporting on accounts receivable
• Prepare, print and mail invoice or statement copies for customers as requested
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Be dependable and punctual

Qualifications (Required)

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position
• High School Diploma or the equivalent.
• Minimum of three years of veterinary clinical experience.
• Minimum of one year of emergency or critical care veterinary experience.
• Minimum of one year of supervisory, leadership, or shift-lead experience.
• Demonstrated competence in veterinary technician or assistant skills, including patient assessment, restraint, vital-sign monitoring, medication administration, laboratory procedures, and medical calculations appropriate to the individual’s training and scope of practice.
• Experience coaching employees, reinforcing expectations, addressing performance concerns, and holding team members accountable.
• Strong understanding of emergency hospital workflows, patient prioritization, and clinical readiness.
• Experience coordinating staffing needs, workflow adjustments, and patient-care assignments in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and sound judgment in employee-related matters.
• Strong client service and conflict-resolution skills.
• Proficiency with computer systems, email, scheduling software, and veterinary practice management systems.
• Ability to perform regularly scheduled clinical duties while providing day-to-day leadership to the ER team.
• Ability to work a schedule that supports the operational needs of a 24/7 emergency department, including evenings, weekends, or holidays as assigned.

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Current Virginia Licensed Veterinary Technician credential or eligibility to obtain Virginia licensure.
• Three or more years of emergency or specialty veterinary medicine experience.
• Previous experience supervising technicians, veterinary assistants, or other clinical support staff.
• Experience training and mentoring veterinary technicians, assistants, and students.
• Experience conducting employee check-ins, performance evaluations, and documented coaching conversations.
• Experience monitoring departmental overtime, timekeeping accuracy, staffing levels, and labor utilization.
• Advanced emergency and critical care technical skills.
• Working knowledge of Instinct, Impromed, Dayforce, or similar veterinary and workforce management systems.
• Ability to work a schedule that supports the operational needs of a 24/7 emergency department, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as assigned.

Schedule: Full Time, Rotating Shift

What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE stipends and career development resources
• Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources