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VCA Animal Hospitals

Medical Director

VCA Animal Hospitals, Sacramento, California, United States, 95828

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Specialty Medical Director

VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center, one of the largest private specialty referral practices in Northern California, is looking for a Specialty Medical Director to lead our growing team. VCA SVRC opened in 2007 in a newly built, custom-designed 23,000 square foot building. In 2012 the hospital grew by 4,000 square feet with the addition of a linear accelerator vault. The facility includes 15 exam rooms, 6 surgical suites with an additional ER surgical room, a 64 slice Toshiba CT with automatic injector and a 1.5 Tesla MRI. The hospital is equipped with complete endoscopic, laparoscopic and thorascopic instrumentation, multiple ultrasounds including a color flow Doppler, O2 cages, two digital radiology suites and a C-arm. In addition to the complete in-house lab which includes Abaxis CBC, PT/PTT and chemistry machines, Heska EPOC, I-stat and a colloid osmometer. An Antech lab is within a 10 minute driving distance. The hospital has boarded specialists in the following disciplines: Internal Medicine, Radiology, Surgery, Neurology, Medical & Radiation Oncology, Cardiology, and Emergency/Critical Care. The relationship between the individual doctors and the various services is collegial and collaborative. Sit down rounds are conducted every morning with all the doctors to discuss hospitalized case with our intern class as a learning opportunity. This type of collaborative medicine is somewhat rare outside of a university setting and makes for a rich and rewarding environment. It optimizes patient care while ensuring continuous learning. Since opening in 2007, VCA SVRC has had a strong internship program with many advancing to residencies. Teaching, mentoring and participating in the interns professional development would be expected from any candidate. VCA SVRC has a full complement of experienced, well trained and compassionate staff including full time RVTs and Technician Assistants. Sacramento is a wonderful city with lots of options based on lifestyle. It has an ideal year round climate with incredible outdoor opportunities including hiking, mountain biking, water sports, skiing, wine tasting, and camping. It is only an hour and a half drive from San Francisco, Lake Tahoe or Napa Valley with all their accompanying activities. It is also a large metropolitan city with a small town feel. There are many world-class restaurants, fun outdoor cafes, and art theaters to visit in Sacramento. How many places in the world can you have access to both the beach and mountains in less than a 2-hour drive? Here is your opportunity to work in a well-respected and established hospital with a large and loyal referral base and to spend your time in a beautiful facility with multiple specialties. It is a great place to work with incredible people and in a city with a very high quality of life. The MD is responsible for medical quality and standards of care within the hospital: Ensures highest quality patient care (pain control, safe anesthetic practices, wellness care, care for hospitalized patients etc.) and medical decision making by the associate DVM team Determines in consultation with hospital leaders the medical protocols for the hospital including handling of patients with infectious disease, isolation protocols, anesthesia prep/monitoring standards etc. Works with the associate DVM team to deliver a consistent message to staff and clients regarding patient care, case management and medical standards. Along with the RMD, gives associate DVM's direct feedback on case management problems and issues of morbidity and mortality. Performs an internal review in such circumstances and revises protocols when appropriate. Along with the RMD, medical record review of associate DVM's as needed. Determines in consultation with hospital leaders the products/drugs for hospital to carry as well as equipment purchases within VCA guidelines Ensures drug log practices in place + secure Stays medically current by reading journals, attending CE events. Shares knowledge gained with associate veterinarians and technicians Along with RMD, performs yearly associate DVM reviews Participates in yearly review of lead technician(s) with HM Supports VCA medical initiatives and ensures successful implementation within the hospital With lead technician(s) ensures appropriate technical staff training structure and implementation Holds monthly doctor meeting Ensures equipment problems/needs reported to the HM. Along with RMD and HM, creates EARs for new equipment requests Ensures the doctors schedule covers the hospital without being short doctors (HM can help to find other VCA doctors to cover shifts or relief doctors, if needed) Staff: The MD is a key "problem solver" within the hospital and a go-to person for staff members in need. The MD also sets the mood/staff outlook for the practice. The MD is one of the supervisors of medical staff and day to day medical operations The MD may need to help the HM handle conflict between staff members and associate DVM's The MD is the 'on the floor' director of medical staff to maximize efficiency and ensure productivity MD (along with the RMD) gives associate DVM's consistent feedback on client communication, staff interaction The MD partners with the HM in appropriate staff-related decision making (interviewing, hiring, disciplinary action) processes Client service: The MD and RMD handle all client and RDVM complaints related to medical quality or care provided. This may involve coaching the primary doctor involved in effective communication with the disgruntled client. The MD works with the HM to ensure delivery of top level client service to every client. Determines in consultation with hospital leaders client/patient flow to ensure clients receive timely service Along with the HM and other hospital leaders, the MD ensures that the hospital culture is "client centered" Ensures high level and timely communication to clients and primary care referral doctors by DVM team in the delivery method requested by the client (phone, fax, email) CE opportunities: The MD is the CE advocate within the hospital. They should strive to provide themselves and the staff with a variety of professional development opportunities throughout the year Attend all local VCA-sponsored CE events and encourage staff to attend as well. Provide structure for in-house CE for Technical staff and attend staff meetings Share current knowledge or material from RMD with associates in the hospital Encourage associates to share new knowledge from CE events they attend with the rest of the doctor team and staff Hospital vision/outreach: The MD/HM/ROD/Referral coordinators and RMD should be key promoters of the hospital through community outreach and involvement. Encourage local outreach and community involvement by all associates and other key members of the hospital team Participation in the development of local marketing initiatives with the HM and regional marketing personnel Strategic planning: continue to look at and support new opportunities and develop innovative ideas to move the hospital forward Financial: The MD should understand the SPOT and P+ L reports and work closely with the HM to ensure hospital goals of medical and operational excellence are met The MD partners with the HM to work on yearly hospital goals including the operating plan and budget The MD should work with the HM to control staff hours and ensure productivity The MD should work with staff via education and supplying training tools to ensure success of medical initiatives The MD should continue to stress the importance of charge capture to associate DVM's and work to improve efficiency of services (ie surgery flow, triage flow, recheck appts) To ensure a client centered practice and continued revenue growth, the MD works with the ROD and HM to consider changes in hospital hours/days, services hours, DVM availability etc. As a member of the VCA family, your love for medicine and compassion for pets and people is matched with a commitment to your professional growth. Eligible full-time employees will be rewarded with a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including: Health & Wellness: An innovative, new department focused on associate health and wellbeing, with programs such as company sponsored Headspace app subscriptions, Vault financial wellness tools, and access to additional mental health resources. 401k retirement savings plan, with