Manager, Medical Operations

Manager, Medical Operations

Are you passionate about delivering high-quality care to animals in need, and do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic and complex environment? Do you enjoy managing people, while also ensuring all animals under your care receive the medical attention they require? If so, then the position of Manager, Medical Operations (the Manager) at the ASPCA Kitten Nursery (Nursery) may be for you!

The Kitten Nursery cares for over 800 underage kittens and nursing cats in a dedicated nursery environment as well as through a substantial foster program. Once these kittens are healthy and happy 8-week-olds, the Nursery helps them get ready for adoption through the ASPCA Adoption Center and partner shelters.

You will lead a team of Neonate Specialists and Care Coordinators to deliver excellent patient care for over 800+ at-risk cats and kittens each year. This team supports the care and movement of kittens through the Nursery on their way to and from foster homes through direct care, veterinary support and administrative work. You will partner with the Director, Medical Operations, under the guidance of veterinarians and licensed veterinarian technicians, to assist in the delivery of individual animal and population level care following low-stress handling principles and shelter medicine practices. To succeed in this role, the Manager will be an excellent supervisor and coach who enjoys working with both people and animals.

The schedule for this role is Sunday-Thursday 10-6pm (the ability to adjust the schedule to meet the team's needs is crucial for this role).

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• With the Director, nurture a culture of learning at the Nursery, including ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment, active participation in career development, goal setting and monitoring, setting clear expectations, and regular practice of feedback and after-actions
• Be "on the floor" to answer questions, make timely operational and staffing adjustments, provide and receive feedback, lend a hand, and ensure deep understanding of and compliance with the Nursery's operations
• Maintain adequate staffing levels at all times; assign and/or re-assign appropriate responsibilities, as well as direct workflow, in order to maximize productivity and maintain coverage in the event of planned absences, call outs, injuries, increased volume, etc. so as to ensure staff and animals safety
• Provide training, supervision, modeling, coaching and ongoing guidance for direct reports
• Instill the guiding principle that everyone can—and should—actively support the animals' behavioral and mental health in everything they do
• Ensure that all team members have received training and mastered the skills to handle in a low-stress manner, and that they implement these handling techniques consistently in all their interactions with animals
• Provide regular, timely and direct feedback via one-on-one check-in's and quarterly feedback sessions with direct reports
• Work with the Director, Medical Operations to ensure written materials (protocols, information sheets, data sheets, etc.) are updated as needed and oversee their use by staff and volunteers
• Serve as a champion in times of change management and work with Director to identify ways to improve policies and practices
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Nursing Care and Veterinary Support (30%)

• Using fear free techniques, handle and restrain animals for medical procedures applying the least-restraint and lowest-stress techniques possible
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry to animals' medical records, including transfer of information from other ASPCA departments' software systems and diagnostic test results from outside laboratories
• Prepare discharges and medications for kittens going to foster, create Foster Medical Discharges under the direction of veterinarians or licensed veterinary technicians
• Maintain an efficient flow of animals through the shelter
• Transport animals (using low-stress techniques) and their medical records within ASPCA departments for necessary care, including but not limited to transfers to the ASPCA Animal Hospital and/or Community Medicine
• Understand multiple modalities of electronic or written medical records, or invoices, to be able to articulate animal's medical needs or concerns
• Competently and compassionately explain information veterinarians have documented about an animal's condition to other Nursery staff members, volunteers, and foster caregivers with easily understood language
• Be an active participant of the Nursery Team on daily shelter rounds, weekly foster rounds, and in staff meetings and trainings
• Treat animals, colleagues and volunteers with care and respect
• Learn and follow Nursery philosophy, procedures and protocols

Animal Care and Welfare (30%)

• Coach and support direct care staff to best meet the medical needs of the animals in our care, including medication administration, medical treatment and monitoring
• Feed and medicate patients following veterinarian instructions and standard operating procedures
• Closely observe animals for signs of illness, injury, and/or poor welfare. Document and communicate this information on monitoring sheets, in patient medical records, and/or directly to colleagues
• Ensure all personnel are following departmental PPE and cleaning protocols for kennels, equipment and facility overall
• Work in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies and requirements
• Ensure the adequate stock supplies are maintained and that all equipment is functioning well and is serviced properly; coordinate inventory, place orders through Procurement, schedule routine maintenance of equipment, and facilitate service and/or replacement of malfunctioning equipment
• Advise Supervisor of any conditions that are unsafe including unrecognized hazards or infractions of safety rules

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic animal care, handling, and disease recognition; familiarity with veterinary hospital protocols and procedures
• Able to understand and communicate using veterinary medical terminology
• Excellent low-stress animal handling and restraint skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Able to quickly adjust focus and shift priorities based on Nursery and patient needs
• Work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions; demonstrate flexibility with work assignments and unique tasks
• Strong organizational skills and a high level of attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate within and across departments or working groups
• Ability to teach and coach others
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Able to maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols
• Basic computer skills, including Excel, Microsoft Office, and email; familiarity with PetPoint or other shelter software systems a plus.
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds, walk, bend, stand and reach constantly throughout at least a minimum 8-hour workday
• Exemplifies the ASPCA's Core Values:
• Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
• Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
• Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
• Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
• Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 2 years veterinary hospital and/or shelter experience
• 1 year management experience
• Fear Free Shelter certification is required within 60 days of hire

Compensation and Benefits

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.

• The target hiring range for this role is $65,000 - $70,000 annually.

At the ASPCA, you don't have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid