Area Medical Director, Specialty - Western Canada

VCA Canada Animal Hospitals is welcoming an Area Medical Director, Specialty for Western Canada.  The successful incumbent is responsible for overseeing the medical quality of care within the assigned region in consultation with the Senior Regional Operations Director (SROD), the Senior Director Medical Operations, and the Vice President Medical Operations.  In this role, you will be an integral and effective medical leader for all of VCA Canada’s Specialty, Referral and Emergency Hospitals in Western Canada.

The Area Medical Director, Specialty - Western Canada will be an essential part of the leadership team that includes Medical Operations, the hospital Medical Directors (MDs), General Managers (GMs), and SRODs that has full responsibility for all operations, medical standards, hiring, and performance management within the region.  They will be an open and honest communicator, proactive problem solver, and will work closely with the leadership team to establish best medical practices for the region and to advance VCA Canada initiatives. The VCA Canada Medical Advisory Board members will serve as consultants for the AMDS as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Standards of Medical Practice - Manages medical performance of assigned hospitals:

• Ensure that current medical thinking as well as best practices in patient care are followed by all members of the medical team
• Establish and maintain a close working relationship with their area’s SROD to analyze the medical strengths and weaknesses of each hospital and to proitize top priorities
• Serve as a resource to regions’ MDs regarding medical issues and VCA Canada programs and initiatives
• Host monthly conference call for regions’ MDs and to review any issues related to medical care in the region's hospitals
• Attend bi-weekly Medical Operations meetings
• Work with the MDs and SROD in responding to client complaints that are medical in nature and summarizing these for the Senior Director Medical Operations and the Vice President Medical Operations
• Attend regional meetings as needed with SRODs
• Conduct regular onsite visits (no less than 6 visits/year) to each Specialty and Referral hospital in the region. Responsibilities include:
• Meeting with the MD and GM and any other medical leader during each visit
• Quarterly Coach and Connect with each hospital MD
• Review of Controlled Drugs practices
• Review major equipment needs and potential additions
• Monitor Emergency mentorship program in each hospital

• In partnership with the other AMDS, all specialty hospitals across VCA Canada will be connected via virtual or in person meetings (as well as other forms of communication) to share information and ideas, to promote their specialty, and offer mentorship to new specialists joining VCA Canada

Strategic Development

• In collaboration with the Vice President Medical Operations and SROD, identify and lead medical driven operations plans to ensure continued progress and improvement, including adoption of new services or new specialists
• Monitor and provide guidance if needed as to support staff needs
• Monitor and support VCA Canada regional and hospital level initiatives
• Work with the leadership team to support annual budgeting
• Coordinate annual Specialty Hospital regional meeting
• The AMDS will have a seat on the Medical Advisory Board (MAB)

Medical Team Training:

• Mentoring and coaching the MDs to enhance their leadership skills in the hospital
• Monitor and encourage new technicians during their Penn Foster program
• Ensure participation in, and monitor patient safety board (an arm of MARS Quality Council)

Workforce Planning:

• Partner with the leadership team and Human Resources to source  and actively recruit specialists and emergency doctors for the region’s hospitals
• Help support a culture of wellness and safety at each hospital in the region through effective leadership
• Support the MDs and SRODs in doctor staffing including filling gaps for maternity leaves, medical leaves, vacations and other short and long term doctor and RVT staffing needs 

• Deliver, with the SROD, the annual evaluation of each MD’s performance and set the medical goals for the coming year
• Initiate, facilitate and coordinate the smooth integration and onboarding of new doctors during acquisitions

Skills, Education and Experience:

• The AMDS role will be a 50% time allotment
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent from an accredited university and have an American or European designation as a veterinary specialist
• Experience leading a team of Veterinary professionals including, recruiting, performance management, and resource planning
• Minimum five years of successful Referral and Emergency Hospital experience