Veterinary Medical Director

The Veterinary Medical Director has the primary responsibility of managing the quality of veterinary medicine and implementing medical strategies within the specialty and emergency services of the hospital. This person shares the practice owner’s vision of gold standard medicine within a collaborative and supportive environment and also shares the operational and financial goals of the practice. The Medical Director is will also serve as the immediate supervisor of the emergency and specialty veterinary staff. 

The goal of this position is to provide overall training, supervision, organization, direction, evaluation, and accountability within the specialty and emergency services and to act as a meaningful and operational liaison amongst the specialty, emergency, administrative, and management team. 

Reports to the Management Team.

Education and Experience: 

• Required: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, American College of Veterinary Medicine (Internal Medicine) or American College of Emergency and Critical Care Board Certification or Equivalent experience 
• Required: 3+ years of experience in directing a medical team

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Medical Oversight
• Set medical protocols and oversee compliance with emergency veterinarians
• Ensure all patients are triaged and treated in a timely manner
• Make certain all doctors and technicians offer best patient options to every client
• Support and direct quality of patient care by all doctors and assist CEO in conducting performance reviews and improvement plans
• Make sure rounds are performed daily and at each shift change
• Medical Records
  • Assist in maintaining AAHA Hospital Certification
• Teamwork & Efficiency
  • Ensure that all doctors fully document patient medical records to support care offered and facilitate easy communication in multi-doctor setting
  • Ensure all medical records sent to referring veterinarians in a timely manner
  • Ensure that all clients are provided with accurate and informative discharge summaries at this time of patient discharge
  • Conduct periodic audits of records/invoicing for accuracy and efficiency
  • Coordinate with management and department supervisors to ensure proper communication and establishing standardized processes and consistency
  • Communicate pertinent information to colleagues for efficient case management
  • Coordinate the DVM schedules and work toward filling all necessary DVM shifts for full coverage 
  • Work with staff/management in identifying all personnel needs 
  • Help with all schedule optimizations periodically
  • Ensure accurate controlled drug monitoring with direct oversight including frequent discrepancy audits and follow up.
  • Assist in maintaining financial performance of the practice by insuring that all veterinarians adhere to fee schedule, prepared treatment plans, and hospital charges 
  • Identify and address areas of improvement in doctor and laystaff training and coordinate training goals with management and department supervisors
  • Collaborate in monthly financial discussions with an eye for solutions
  • Assist in monthly audit and/or reviews of DVM production reports for accuracy
  • Address any client concerns professionally in cooperation with management
  • Use client feedback resources to improve doctor and lay staff performance
  • Guide veterinarians in clearly communicating appropriate treatment options
  • Ensure that all doctors develop clear clinical communication skills and relationship building techniques
  • Offer insight on lacking areas for training of doctors and lay staff and coordinate training goals with manager and department supervisors
  • Regularly schedule and attend veterinarian-management meetings

  • Facilitate CE rounds and M&M rounds with appropriate staff

• Scheduling
• CUBEX compliance
• Financial responsibilities
• Client Service
• Continuing Education Responsibilities
• AAHA Certification

Supervisory Responsibilities:        

The Medical Director has direct supervisory duties over the emergency and specialty medical team and leads the medical care of our patients by directing technical and kennel personnel in patient care in an efficient and respectful manner

Leadership Skills:

The Medical Director must possess strong leadership traits that encourage accountability in everyone who works with this individual. The Medical Director must work collaboratively with the hospital manager and hospital administrator as part of the management team establishing direction for practice success.

Language Skills:                  

Ability to legibly and thoroughly write medical records and correspondence. Ability to read and interpret documents such as laboratory reports, medical records from other doctors, hospital policy, and procedure manuals. Ability to speak effectively before small groups of customers or employees of the hospital. Ability to graciously deal with client complaints. Ability to successfully communicate with diverse personality types.

Computer Skills:         

Must be proficient with basic computer operations and well-versed in email and online communication. Able to work with Microsoft Word, Excel, PayJunction, EzyVet, Instinct/VetRadar and the Internet. Previous experience with EzyVet and Instinct veterinary software is helpful.

Mathematical Skills:    

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as drug dosing, dilutions, CRIs, percentages, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. 

Reasoning Ability:         

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Must possess solution-focused problem-solving skills.        

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.