What are the responsibilities and job description for the Veterinary Emergency Nurse Manager position at evgspecialtynetwork?
Veterinary Care & Specialty Group in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is seeking an experienced, people-focused Nurse Manager to lead our Emergency & Critical Care nursing team in a fast-paced, highly collaborative 24/7 environment. This role is ideal for a strong communicator and team-builder who excels at developing staff, managing complex workflows, and maintaining a culture of trust, accountability, and compassion.
Your responsibilities will span people leadership, departmental operations, staff training, scheduling, communication flow, and ensuring the highest standards of patient care. You will work closely with Shift Leads, veterinarians, specialists and support teams to create a strong, engaged, well-supported nursing staff that perform confidently under pressure.
VCSG is a multi-specialty and emergency veterinary hospital offering 24/7 care, advanced diagnostics, and specialized services including Emergency & Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Neurology, Oncology, Cardiology, Rehabilitation, and an in-house Blood Bank. Our team is driven by high-quality medicine, collaborative culture, and a commitment to serving pets, their families, and the broader veterinary community.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor and support the ER/ICU nursing team, fostering strong communication, teamwork, and professional development
- Manage departmental staffing, scheduling, PTO coordination, and daily workflow to ensure consistent and appropriate coverage
- Conduct interviews, hire new ER and ICU staff, and onboard/train team members according to hospital protocols
- Support Shift Leads through quarterly one-on-one meetings, team development, and ongoing coaching
- Maintain communication between nursing staff, DVMs, specialists, and hospital management to ensure seamless patient care
- Oversee performance evaluations, improvement plans and accountability measures
- Verify invoicing accuracy and maintain operational oversight of ER/ICU processes
- Coordinate department-wide training, including internal sessions and CE/webinars
- Represent the ER/ICU department in hospital meetings and cross-department initiatives
- Promote a culture aligned with the hospital’s mission, values, and standards for patient care and client communication
- Assist with daily flow of cases, ensuring efficiency, safety and high-quality nursing practices
- Respond to urgent communications from staff, doctors or clients as needed, even on off-days
Required Qualifications
- Strong clinical foundation as a Veterinary Technician within Emergency Medicine
- Proven leadership or management experience with the ability to build trusting relationships with teams, and communicate clearly in stressful situations
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to guide, coach, motivate and hold a team accountable
- A mature, empathetic, team-first approach that is aligned with VCSG’s mission and values
- Flexible availability to support a 24/7 hospital’s needs – this position is 50% scheduled on the floor, and 50% administratively focused
Why This Role Matters
The Nurse Manager sets the tone for communication, morale, and operational success in one of the hospital’s most dynamic departments. Your leadership ensures patient safety, staff confidence, smooth case flow, and compassionate client interactions. This is a chance to meaningfully shape the culture, performance and future of a critical care team.