What are the responsibilities and job description for the Hospital Administrator position at Metropolitan Veterinary Associates?
Description
About Us
Hickory Veterinary Hospital has served its community since 1956. Under three generations of veterinary leadership, we’ve grown from a single-doctor practice into a leading, full-service hospital offering 24/7 emergency care, general practice, specialty services (surgery, oncology, internal medicine, neurology, rehabilitation, ophthalmology, radiology), and boarding. We are now part of COVE Animal Health, a veterinarian-led network combining specialty, emergency, and primary care across the Northeast.
At Hickory, we deeply value teamwork, compassion, professional excellence, integrity, and service. We strive to put patients, clients, and staff first; we preserve our legacy while continuously innovating to provide top-tier care.
Position Summary
We are seeking an accomplished Hospital Administrator who will oversee essentially all hospital operations, including the management of clinical support staff. Reporting to the Area Director, this role supervises operations at Hickory Veterinary and Specialty Hospital. The position demands experience with veterinary clinical support operations, strong leadership, and a strategic mindset to drive excellence across multiple locations.
Key Responsibilities
Hickory Veterinary Hospital / COVE Animal Health is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all qualified candidates are welcome.
Requirements
About Us
Hickory Veterinary Hospital has served its community since 1956. Under three generations of veterinary leadership, we’ve grown from a single-doctor practice into a leading, full-service hospital offering 24/7 emergency care, general practice, specialty services (surgery, oncology, internal medicine, neurology, rehabilitation, ophthalmology, radiology), and boarding. We are now part of COVE Animal Health, a veterinarian-led network combining specialty, emergency, and primary care across the Northeast.
At Hickory, we deeply value teamwork, compassion, professional excellence, integrity, and service. We strive to put patients, clients, and staff first; we preserve our legacy while continuously innovating to provide top-tier care.
Position Summary
We are seeking an accomplished Hospital Administrator who will oversee essentially all hospital operations, including the management of clinical support staff. Reporting to the Area Director, this role supervises operations at Hickory Veterinary and Specialty Hospital. The position demands experience with veterinary clinical support operations, strong leadership, and a strategic mindset to drive excellence across multiple locations.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Staff Management
- Oversight of all clinical support staff.
- Responsibility for hiring, onboarding, scheduling, mentoring, performance evaluation, and developing growth plans for those staff.
- Create a supportive, high-functioning environment; facilitate strong communication between clinical support, veterinarians, specialists, and administrative teams.
- Operational Oversight & Client Experience
- Ensure efficient workflow among clinical, support, and administrative teams.
- Handle day-to-day operational logistics: staffing, equipment, supply chain, inventory, scheduling, and resource allocation.
- Oversee client satisfaction and address concerns; maintain high standards for patient care and client communication.
- Financial & Business Management
- Work with the Area Director to set financial goals, monitor revenue, costs, productivity, and other KPIs.
- Analyze financial reports, control expenses related to clinical support and support operations.
- Identify opportunities for efficiency gains, cost savings, and service expansion.
- Strategic & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with regional facilities and marketing teams to align hospital brand, infrastructure needs, and facility improvements.
- Participate in strategic planning for: growth, process improvement, service offering optimization.
- Regulatory, Quality, Compliance
- Ensure that clinical support practices follow veterinary regulations, safety standards, quality assurance, accreditation guidelines.
- Maintain high levels of cleanliness, safety, and compliance in clinical support areas.
- Assist in the evaluation, selection, and maintenance of clinical equipment.
- Competitive salary based on experience, plus performance incentives.
- Robust benefits: medical, dental, vision. Retirement plan (401(k) with match).
- Paid time off, holidays.
- Pet care discounts and other team perks.
- Support for professional development and continuing education.
- Opportunity to lead within a historic hospital and growth-oriented network, while making meaningful impact across multiple sites.
Hickory Veterinary Hospital / COVE Animal Health is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all qualified candidates are welcome.
Requirements
- Experience
- 5 years of management or leadership experience in a veterinary setting. Specifically: managing clinical support staff or clinical operations.
- Experience overseeing multi-site operations or responsibility across multiple locations is strongly preferred.
- Skills & Competencies
- Strong people leadership: mentorship, conflict resolution, team development.
- Excellent organizational and communication (verbal and written) skills.
- Financial literacy: KPI tracking, budgeting, cost controls.
- Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred (Business, Veterinary Practice Management, or similar).
- Certifications (e.g. CVPM or equivalent) are a plus, but not required.
- Other Attributes
- Flexibility — able to adapt to shifting priorities across clinical, support, and operational demands.
- Collaborative mindset with medical staff and external teams (facilities, marketing).
- Commitment to upholding core values: compassion, teamwork, professional excellence, integrity, service.
