Veterinary Practice Manager

Veterinary Practice Manager

The Seas Veterinary Practice Manager is an integral member of the Disney Animal Health (DAH) leadership team. They work closely with the other leaders and team members to provide excellent animal care, ensure efficient and effective function of the Animal Health operation, and partner with multiple teams throughout Disney's Animals, Science, and Environment (ASE).

This position is a full-time, salaried, on-site role with a five-day work schedule.

This role reports to a DAH Veterinary Operations Manager.

What You Will Do

Oversees the Animal Health Practice at "The Seas with Nemo and Friends" at EPCOT (i.e., "The Seas")

Oversees the Veterinary Technician Team based at The Seas

Oversees the DAH part-time Veterinary Technicians

Serves as the DAH Point of Contact (PoC) for rehabilitation programs for sea turtles and manatees

Serves as the DAH PoC for the following sites: Disney Castaway Cay, Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, Disney's Vero Beach Resort

Provides conservation support as the DAH PoC for sea turtles, purple martins, butterflies, and other conservation initiatives

Team Management/Leadership:

• Leads the Seas-based veterinary technicians
• Oversees veterinary technicians working at the Seas; being present to assist and provide guidance
• Assists the Disney's Animal Kingdom (DAK) Veterinary Practice Manager with leading DAK veterinary technicians, as needed
• Promotes and supports Cast Member (CM) development; seeks opportunities for CM growth; enables CMs to learn new skills
• Holds regular team meetings and one-on-one meetings with direct reports (at minimum, twice monthly)
• Utilizes the Workday program as a goal-setting and conversation-recording tool
• Provides feedback as needed and holds CMs accountable for their performance; follows the Performance Management matrix and process
• Meets with CMs formally and informally to discuss any issues
• Collaborates proactively and productively with all DAH managers to ensure operational coverage of the department (e.g. for procedures, lab work, call-outs across the department, equipment repair)
• Upholds a strong communicative relationship with the DAH leadership team and collaborates to create and implement departmental strategy
• Is familiar and aligns with the processes and policies of the DAH team, ASE, Walt Disney World, and The Walt Disney Company

Operational:

• Assists front-line cast whenever necessary
• Maintains a consistent, daily presence in the operation
• Coordinates and problem-solves for the Seas hospital team
• Responds to animal emergencies to support the team
• Partners with other leaders and members of the Animal Health team
• Partners with other teams including Animal Care, Behavioral Husbandry, Animal Nutrition, Water Sciences, Guest Experience, Safety Services, Facilities, outside vendors, etc.
• Promotes the Seas hospital team's involvement in guest experience
• Serves as the main coordinator for appointment scheduling and logistical communications related to the Seas Veterinary Practice, and is the backup to the Animal Health Manager for the same purpose at DAK
• Ensures completion of all required training
• Completes shared coverage shifts as the Seas Duty Manager via the duty phone approximately three times a month
• Oversees the Seas Veterinary Practice equipment:
• Oversees operation and troubleshooting of all equipment, including imaging, and various diagnostic or therapeutic equipment/supplies
• Oversees maintenance of our existing equipment; coordinates necessary service and repairs
• Prioritizes planning for replacement and expansion needs, proactively obtaining quotes and vetting vendors for purchases
• Oversees the Seas Veterinary Practice pharmacy and general supply inventory; Is PoC for Seas Veterinary Practice drug/medication requests and coordinates with the DAK Practice Manager and DAK-based veterinary technicians for ordering strategies and inventory management
• Ensures that medications and related supplies are consistently in stock for use

Animal Care:

• Ensures that we provide the best possible care for the animals
• For Seas Veterinary Practice medical procedures: Ensures appropriate staffing; equipment availability and set-up; coordination and communication with veterinarians and husbandry teams; ensuring needed sample collection and analysis; post-procedure clean-up and follow-up.
• Partners with Behavioral Husbandry (BH), husbandry teams, and veterinarians to identify BH training needed for medical exams and sample collection; scheduling veterinary technicians to attend BH training sessions
• Partners with Animal Care, Water Sciences, and the vets with rescue and rehabilitation programs for sea turtles and manatees

Animal Health Leadership:

• Participates in regular weekly rounds discussions with other managers and vets
• Attends weekly manager meetings for strategy and operational discussions
• Attends any vet/manager retreats to discuss issues/problem-solve
• Organizes quarterly vet/vet tech meetings to discuss issues/problem-solve
• Organizes and leads Seas Hospital Team meetings to discuss issues/ problem-solve
• Partners with other DAH leaders to ensure operational coverage, continuity, communication, and consistency across the team
• Assists and/or leads DAH special projects.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), or equivalent (e.g. LVT, RVT)
• Is a member of AZA, AZVT, IAAAM, or other relevant professional organizations.
• Proven leadership/management skills
• Knowledge/experience in veterinary practice management
• Excellent communication skills
• Three (3) years of full-time working experience in an aquatic/zoologic facility as a CVT (or equivalent)
• Highly-organized and detail-oriented
• Ability to triage and adapt in a quickly-changing work environment
• Proficiency with various relevant data management technologies, (e.g. ZIMS, Microsoft Office, Workday)

Education

• A high school degree or equivalent is required