Medical Operations Manager
Description
About Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA
Since 1973, the RHSPCA has been providing compassionate animal care to help pets and people live happier, healthier lives. We offer a full range of services, including adoption options for companion pets and barn cats so that local animals can live better lives in the spaces that suit them best. We also work with a vast network of volunteers who help us care for animals in our shelter and individuals willing to foster pets in their homes. In addition to our pet matchmaking services, we partner with community members to help manage the outdoor cat population through our Community Cat Program. Across all of these services is our commitment to providing the resources and tools our community needs to improve animal welfare.
JOB TITLE: Medical Operations Manager
DEPARTMENT: Shelter Operations / Veterinary Services
REPORTS TO: Staff Veterinarian
COLLABORATES WITH: Director of Operations, Shelter Veterinarian, Shelter Leadership Team
SALARY: $50,000 - $55,000
FUNCTION:
The Medical Operations Manager is responsible for the operational management and oversight of medical services for shelter animals, the Cat Foster Program, and the Veterinary Care Center. This role ensures the consistent delivery of high-quality, humane, and compliant medical care through direct staff supervision, program oversight, and close collaboration with the Shelter Veterinarian and Director of Operations.
The Medical Operations Manager implements medical direction and clinical workflows established by the Shelter Veterinarian, maintains operational accountability for staff and programs, and supports organizational goals related to animal welfare, population management, and lifesaving outcomes.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
General
- Perform duties in a manner which promotes a positive culture and supports organizational goals.
- Ensure humane, high-quality care for all animals in the organization’s custody.
- Work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, foster caregivers, veterinarians, partners, and the public.
- Support compliance with applicable federal, state, county, and local laws and professional standards.
- Exercise sound judgment, adaptability, and effective prioritization in a fast-paced environment.
Medical Operations & Animal Health Oversight
- Provide operational oversight of the Animal Health Team responsible for intake exams, in-shelter medical care, and adoption readiness.
- Implement medical protocols, workflows, and clinical direction established by the Shelter Veterinarian.
- Serve as the primary operational liaison between animal health staff and the Shelter Veterinarian.
- Ensure accurate and timely medical recordkeeping, primarily within ShelterLuv.
- Coordinate off-site veterinary appointments, spay/neuter surgeries, and animal transport.
- Oversee inventory management and medical supply ordering.
- Track and manage departmental budgets and expenditures in collaboration with the Shelter Veterinarian.
- Participate in an on-call rotation and serve as a backup escalation contact for foster and animal health emergencies.
Cat Foster Program Oversight
- Provide managerial oversight of the Cat Foster Program, including medical, kitten/neonate, and behavioral/long-term foster placements.
- Directly supervise the Cat Foster Coordinator and Cat Medical/Foster Support staff.
- Ensure foster placements, exits, and returns align with medical protocols and organizational goals.
- Oversee medical communication with foster caregivers.
- Maintain accountability for foster compliance with medical protocols.
- Support the Cat Foster Coordinator on complex cases and ensure accurate tracking in ShelterLuv.
Veterinary Care Center Management
- Provide day-to-day operational and administrative oversight of the Veterinary Care Center.
- Supervise Veterinary Care Center staff, including receptionist, veterinary assistant(s), and veterinary technician(s).
- Partner with the Shelter Veterinarian on hiring, training, performance evaluations, and corrective actions.
- Manage staff scheduling, timecards, and PTO approvals.
- Implement medical direction, clinical protocols, and workflows established by the Shelter Veterinarian.
- Collaborate on SOP development and enforcement.
- Oversee inventory management and budget tracking for the Veterinary Care Center.
Staff Supervision & Leadership
- Directly supervise Animal Health Team staff, Cat Foster Coordinator, Cat Medical/Foster Support staff, and Veterinary Care Center staff.
- Create schedules, approve timecards and PTO, and ensure adequate staffing coverage.
- Support staff development and performance management in collaboration with the Shelter Veterinarian.
- Promote accountability, communication, and cross-team collaboration.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Licensed Veterinary Technician in Virginia strongly preferred.
- Minimum of two years of hands-on experience in a veterinary or animal health setting.
- Minimum of three years of supervisory or management experience.
- Knowledge of feline and canine health and behavior.
- Proficiency with ShelterLuv and Google Workspace.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
- Ability to work independently without close supervision.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a positive and upbeat attitude.
- Ability to use sound judgment in all decision making while working independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to lift up to 35 pounds; stand for extended periods; and work in environments with animals, noise, and cleaning chemicals.
NATURE OF EMPLOYMENT
The Medical Operations Manager is an exempt position, which generally requires a minimum of 40 hours per week and may involve weekend and evening work as well as overnight on-call on a rotating basis.
There is no minimum period of employment guaranteed or implied by acceptance of an offer of employment. It is the policy of the RHSPCA that employment for this position is at will, which means that employment for no specified term and the employee or agency may terminate that employment at any time without cause. This job description serves as a guide.