Patient Care Supervisor

Looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people? With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop, HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso, Pueblo, and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial in the colorful State of Colorado. We employ a total of 200+ employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion.
Job Summary

Responsible for supervising the hospital/patient care team in the Veterinary Clinic. Provides training, support, and assistance with overseeing the medical patients in the shelter. Ensures a high level of patient care.
Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Works with Staff Veterinarians and the Veterinary Services Manager in developing and adhering to current treatment, surgery, vaccine, and medical protocols. Assist the veterinarians as required with treatments and medication orders.
• Oversees and reports issues regarding the medical patient population in the shelter to the Veterinary Services Manager.
• Administers treatment to shelter animals, provides excellent patient care, and ensures proper diets are provided to animals.
• Maintains medical / surgical treatment records and reports in an accurate and timely manner and in accordance with HSPPR procedures.
• Communicates with customers and other shelter staff concerning the health of animals in the shelter. Answers general questions about HSPPR procedures and veterinary care of animals, including providing information to the community regarding euthanasia decisions.
• Collaborates with other supervisors and managers within the organization to improve processes.
• Assists in the maintenance of facility equipment to assure cleanliness and safety. Trains staff members in regular maintenance and reporting issues appropriately.
• Ensures health care areas are maintained in a neat and organized manner.
• Cleans kennels and provides animal care as directed by the Veterinary Services Manager.
• Maintains a regular presence on the floor to provide staff support, ensure appropriate work distribution, and provide direction to the team based on the schedule for the day.
• Oversee workflow and foresee problematic issues. Provide solutions and work with the Veterinary Services Manager to solve and improve procedures.
• Adjust the schedule and staff assignments as needed to accommodate special events such as meetings, early closures, and training.
• Monitor workload and adjust to minimize overtime as much as possible. Report trends to the Veterinary Services Manager.
• Facilitate staff meetings when necessary. Promote open communication and work to handle internal and external conflict.
• Has regular meetings with direct reports, providing feedback and coaching to staff members related to job duties and skills.
• Works with staff to ensure time for completion of CEs.
• Works with and provides training for volunteers, interns and/or externs.
• Operates as a critical care technician and trains other staff members to be critical care technicians.
• Oversees and participates in the training of new employees.
• Assist with drug and medical supply inventory and ordering, including the accurate distribution of controlled substances to the correct safes.
• Ability to appropriately direct questions, triage inquiries and to provide sound medical advice to Patient Care staff.
• Makes claim calls to the interested party when necessary.
• Assists with euthanasia as required, including authorizing euthanasia.

Other

• Commitment to the mission, values, goals and success of HSPPR.
• Appropriately documents observed animal behaviors utilizing objective language as required in relevant procedures and/or policies.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Duties

• Supervises direct reports in the performance of their job responsibilities. Works with the department manager to provide performance feedback.
• Coaches staff by providing ongoing feedback.
• In conjunction with the department manager, sets performance standards; directs and motivates employees.
• Consults with Veterinary Services Manager regarding discipline and terminations.
• Ensures adequate staffing levels are maintained in the department.
• Consults with staff veterinarians on medical and surgical problems of animals as well as medical protocols and procedures.
• Supervises and coordinates cleaning procedures of the hospital areas. Supervises and oversees proper and periodic maintenance of surgical and health care equipment. Oversees and ensures hazardous materials are being handled in the proper manner. Communicates safety requirements to staff.
• Coordinates on the job training for staff, volunteers and interns/externs.
• Responds to customer service situations and answers general questions when dealing with veterinary care of animals.
• Assists support staff in responding to customer service situations and consults with the staff veterinarians
• Answers general questions dealing with the veterinary care of animals.

Physical Demands

• Regularly sits at computer station, often in a shared office environment.
• Must be able to lift, push, and pull a minimum of forty pounds with reasonable accommodations.
• May be occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.
• Regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, and is frequently required to stand and walk. May be expected to be on feet for extended periods of time.
• Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
• Regularly exposed to noise and potential exposure to hazardous weather conditions.
• Potential exposure to cleaning supplies and/or other substances containing toxic or caustic chemicals.
• May periodically drive an HSPPR vehicle to perform duties.

Schedule Requirements

TBD - Four (4) shifts per week, Ten (10) hours per shift. Schedule may include weekend and holiday work.
Education/Experience Necessary

• Ability to effectively read, write, interpret, communicate, perform basic problem solving, and perform basic math as commonly expected from completion of a High School Diploma or Equivalent Education.
• Associate degree in veterinary technology from an accredited institution and Registered Veterinary Technician license preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience working in a veterinary clinic or shelter setting required.
• Prior experience in a supervisory or leadership role preferred.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to multitask in a high paced environment are required.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Self-starter with the ability to work, make decisions, and problem-solve independently or with minimal guidance.
• Positive attitude and professional demeanor.

**Application Deadline: Tuesday, December 31, 2024**

The core values of the staff unite us and guide us to provide the best service to the animals in our care, our organization, and our community.

Core Values Statements-

• • Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness, respect, and compassion.

• • Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.

• • Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission, always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community, and by standing united in our decisions.

• • Excellence: We are passionate about our mission, and strive for excellence through continual learning, innovation, and the development of our board, staff and volunteers.

• • Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.

• • Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.

As a condition of employment with HSPPR, you will be required to authorize HSPPR and ProScreening to conduct a background check before confirming an employment start date. The background check will include a criminal investigation, verification of citizenship/immigration status, and a motor vehicle record. By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that any offers of employment will be contingent upon completion of the background check to the satisfaction of HSPPR.

In consideration of any offers of employment made as a result of your interest in this position, by applying for this position, you hereby waive any and all claims that you may have against HSPPR for invasion of privacy in respect to drug testing and background checks as listed above.

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