Veterinary Technician Training Specialist
Reports To: Nursing Director
Collaborates With: Hospital Administrator, Medical Directors, and Supervisors
Position Summary
- The Veterinary Technician Training Specialist leads employee onboarding, training, and ongoing professional development initiatives across NorthStar VETS. This role partners closely with hospital leadership, Medical Directors, and clinical team members to provide hands-on training, support technical skill development, and ensure veterinary assistants and technicians have the knowledge, confidence, and resources needed to succeed in a fast-paced specialty and emergency veterinary environment.
- The ideal candidate is an experienced veterinary professional who is passionate about developing others through mentorship, coaching, collaboration, and continuous learning. They are organized, adaptable, approachable, and committed to fostering a positive learning environment that promotes consistency, accountability, and clinical excellence.
- In this role, the Training & Education Specialist is expected to model and consistently demonstrate the NorthStar VETS C-PETS Core Values Compassion, Professionalism, Excellence, Teamwork, and Service through their leadership, communication, daily practice, and interactions with team members across the organization.
Compensation: $37.00–$45.00 per hour, based on experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Onboarding & Orientation
- Lead and support the onboarding process for new veterinary assistants, technicians, and clinical team members.
- Maintain and continuously improve onboarding materials, orientation resources, skills assessments, and training documentation.
- Meet with new hires to assess prior experience, technical competency, and individual learning needs.
- Develop personalized onboarding plans in collaboration with department leaders.
- Coordinate trainer and trainee assignments, schedules, and onboarding timelines.
- Provide first-week systems training, including Instinct and other hospital software platforms.
- Monitor onboarding progress and ensure completion of required competencies.
- Modify training plans based on employee performance and departmental needs.
- Conduct regular check-ins, provide coaching, and support employees throughout the onboarding process.
Technician Training & Development
- Deliver hands-on clinical training and coaching for veterinary assistants, technicians, and specialty teams.
- Develop, implement, and maintain standardized technical training programs and competency assessments.
- Partner with Medical Directors and hospital leadership to support department-specific training goals.
- Coordinate cross-training opportunities across specialty and emergency departments.
- Evaluate technical skills and provide timely, constructive feedback.
- Maintain technician skill checklists, competency records, and leveling assessments.
- Provide one-on-one coaching and floor support to reinforce learning and clinical performance.
- Assist leaders with employee career development, advancement planning, and technician leveling.
Education & Professional Development
- Assess organizational training needs and develop educational programs that support employee growth and hospital objectives.
- Design and maintain training manuals, presentations, learning resources, competency assessments, and educational materials.
- Maintain an annual education calendar that includes:
- Internal clinical training
- Leadership development
- Continuing Education (CE)
- Specialty education
- External learning opportunities
- Partner with the Marketing team to coordinate continuing education programs for referring veterinarians.
- Evaluate training effectiveness through employee feedback, competency assessments, and performance outcomes.
- Present recommendations and progress updates to hospital leadership.
Leadership Partnership
- Collaborate with hospital leaders, supervisors, managers, and Medical Directors to identify training priorities.
- Support employee engagement, career pathways, succession planning, and professional growth.
- Serve as a resource for leaders regarding onboarding, training strategies, coaching, and employee development.
- Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous learning, and clinical excellence.
Training Program Development
- Create, standardize, and maintain training processes across all departments.
- Develop competency evaluations, technician leveling tools, and performance assessments.
- Maintain accurate training records, documentation, and compliance tracking.
- Analyze training outcomes and recommend process improvements.
- Research and implement new educational methods, training technologies, and learning resources.
- Maintain training equipment, educational materials, and simulation resources.
Additional Responsibilities
- Participate in new employee orientation sessions.
- Support employee engagement and professional development initiatives.
- Travel between NorthStar VETS hospitals and off-site training locations as needed.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding employee information and performance-related matters.
- Review adverse events and identify training opportunities that improve patient care, compliance, and operational processes.
- Assist in the review and revision of hospital policies and procedures that support patient care and daily operations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Associate degree (A.A.S.) in Veterinary Technology or an equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience.
- Eligible to perform NorthStar Technician Levels 1–4 competencies.
- Eligible for or possess CVT, LVT, or RVT certification; VTS certification preferred.
- Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in a multi-specialty veterinary hospital.
- Minimum of three (3) years of leadership, supervision, training, or team management experience.
- Demonstrated success in training, mentoring, and coaching veterinary professionals.
- Experience developing structured training programs, educational materials, or adult learning initiatives.
- Knowledge of instructional design and adult learning principles.
- Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Core Competencies
- Employee Development
- Coaching & Mentoring
- Leadership
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Organization & Planning
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Customer Service
- Adaptability
- Accountability
- Continuous Improvement
Physical Demands & Work Environment
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
- Regularly lift and carry up to 40 pounds, including animals, medical supplies, and training materials; occasionally assist with lifting or moving patients weighing 50 pounds or more using appropriate team lifting techniques.
- Stand and walk for the majority of the workday (up to 8+ hours), including prolonged periods while demonstrating clinical procedures or observing trainees.
- Sit for extended periods while performing administrative responsibilities such as curriculum development, scheduling, documentation, recordkeeping, and program planning.
- Travel between NorthStar VETS locations, including Brick, Maple Shade, and Robbinsville, to deliver multi-site training and educational programs.
- Demonstrate fine motor skills necessary to perform and teach clinical procedures, including venipuncture, catheter placement, medication administration, patient restraint, and operation of medical equipment.
- Frequently bend, kneel, crouch, squat, and work at floor or table level while handling and restraining patients.
- Reach above shoulder height to access supplies, equipment, and storage areas or assist with larger patients.
- Maintain visual acuity to assess patient condition, observe trainee performance, and identify proper technique.
- Possess hearing sufficient to recognize equipment alarms, animal distress signals, and communicate effectively in busy clinical and classroom settings.
- Perform repetitive hand and wrist movements associated with clinical procedures, documentation, and computer work.
- Work in an environment with exposure to zoonotic diseases, animal bites and scratches, bodily fluids, cleaning agents, anesthetic gases, and radiation (when participating in imaging training). Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.
- Communicate clearly and effectively with individuals and groups during training sessions, meetings, and clinical demonstrations.
Pay: $37.00 - $45.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
