Assistant Manager, Operating Room (Internal Recruitment Only)

Operating Room Assistant Manager

The Operating Room Assistant Manager is responsible for the oversight and coordination of clinical operations within the Operating Room Surgery service. This position plays a critical role in supporting the teaching, clinical, and operational mission of the service by ensuring high standards of patient care, staff performance, and regulatory compliance.

The Assistant Manager directs veterinary technician clinical rotations, support veterinary student orientation and instruction, and leads training initiatives focused on surgical circulating roles and aseptic technique. This role also ensures efficient workflow, maintains equipment and inventory, and fosters a culture of professionalism, safety, and continuous improvement.

Salary Grade: 12

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Area of Specialization: Animal Health Center - Operating Room

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical Oversight:

• Manage surgical support activities to ensure patient safety and adherence to established standards of care.
• Ensure proper patient preparation, positioning, intraoperative support, and recovery protocols are consistently followed.
• Promote efficient case flow and coordination within the surgery service.

Staff Management & Development:

• Train, mentor, and evaluate veterinary technician students and assistant rotating through the service.
• Ensure staff competency in instrument identification, surgical assisting, and aseptic technique.
• Provide timely, constructive feedback to support professional growth and performance improvement.
• Foster a positive, team-oriented clinical learning environment.

Teaching & Academic Support:

• Oversee and coordinate veterinary technician clinical rotations within Surgery.
• Assist with veterinary student orientation to surgical workflows and expectations.
• Support clinical teaching efforts during surgical procedures.
• Reinforce best practices in surgical technique, patient care, and teamwork.

Sterilization & Infection Control:

• Maintain and enforce aseptic technique standards within the operating room.
• Ensure OR cleanliness and adherence to infection control protocols.
• Monitor compliance and promptly address any breaches in protocol.

Inventory & Equipment Management:

• Monitor, maintain, and restock surgical supplies to ensure readiness for all procedures.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues and coordinate repair and preventative maintenance.
• Evaluate and recommend new equipment, instruments, and supplies to enhance service capabilities and efficiency.

Compliance & Documentation:

• Ensure adherence to hospital policies, safety standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate and complete surgical logs, equipment maintenance records, and related documentation.
• Support service readiness for audits and accreditation requirements.

Client, Team & Communication Support:

• Assist in teaching veterinary and technician students during clinical procedures.
• Support clear and effective communication among surgeons, anesthesia, technicians, and support staff.
• Reinforce a collaborative and professional clinical environment.

Surgery Technician Emergency Call Schedule:

• Develop and maintain the monthly emergency call schedule, including primary and secondary on-call assignments.
• Ensure equitable distribution of call responsibilities across staff.
• Communicate finalized schedules through appropriate channels in a timely manner.

Decision Making / Guidelines:

This role assists in decision making for the operating room but is not the sole decision maker.

Supervisory Authority:

This employee assists in supervising the Veterinary Assistant staff within the Operating Room.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Experience: Minimum of 5 years' experience in an operating room environment-or- similar environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in a veterinary teaching hospital or academic clinical setting. Advanced certification or specialized training in surgical support. Experience coordinating schedules and managing clinical rotations. Familiarity with surgical inventory systems and equipment management processes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Leadership and staff development Strong organizational and coordination skills Effective communication and collaboration Attention to detail and commitment to clinical excellence Ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment Commitment to safety, compliance, and continuous improvement

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

Frequent - Externally imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one's control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; meeting of deadlines and coordination of related activities are key to position. Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands. Job requires standing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Job requires use of computer keyboard in the performance of duties. Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

Instructions for Applying:

Applicants must apply online at Please include a cover letter and resume along with names and addresses of at least three references.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, View phone number on click.appcast.io.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.