Associate Veterinarian- Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital Poway, CA

Position Overview:
Help to develop and maintain a high quality; efficient and effective medical team, by fostering an environment of trust, teamwork and accountability. Work in tandem with the Hospital Manager and reports directly to the Regional Manager.

Essential Position Functions:

• Comprehensive Patient Work-Ups
  • Obtain a complete history in conjunction with the technician.
  • Perform thorough physical exams, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and body condition score for each patient.
  • Make notes on the master health form with any problems and diagnosis.
  • Recommend all appropriate comprehensive diagnostic screenings.
  • Correctly interpret diagnostic results.
• Client Communication and Education
  • Communicate medical findings, recommended diagnostics, prognosis, and the recommended plan to the pet owner. Make notes in the chart to record all such conversations.
  • Note any recommendations declined by the pet owner in the medical record.
  • Provide status reports to the client on hospitalized patients' condition in a timely manner.
  • Perform timely discharge appointments and ask the pet owner if they have any questions.
  • Respond to client phone calls in a timely manner.
• Diagnostic Procedures & Surgery
  • Perform appropriate pre-op exams and diagnostics.
  • Practice good surgical techniques.
  • Ability to use and delegate appropriate surgical prep techniques with the technician.
  • Call back clients with results of diagnostic tests and provide a copy with interpretation for the pet owner.
  • Review discharge instructions with the technician or pet owner.
• Medical Record Responsibilities
  • Record patient exams in medical records using SOAP format.
  • Follow AAHA guidelines for medical records.
  • Complete records by the end of the business day. No records are permitted to leave the hospital.
  • Fully document all patient care to ensure good case management.
  • Complete medical records in a legible and complete manner.
• Pharmacy Duties
  • Prescribe appropriate medication for patient conditions with appropriate dosing.
  • Approve prescriptions and review labels for accuracy.
  • Maintain the security of controlled drugs.
  • Monitor inventory levels of controlled substances.
  • Log controlled substances consistently.
• Promotes Teamwork & Staff Efficiency
  • Assist in keeping appointments running on time.
  • Clearly communicate instructions to staff in a respectful manner.
  • Willingness to assist staff with their duties when needed.
  • Communicate pertinent information to colleagues for efficient case management.
  • Promote a positive attitude throughout the practice.
  • Answer the persistent ringing phone when necessary.
  • Be available to colleagues and management when off duty for matters that cannot wait until the next business day.
• Financial Responsibilities
  • Correctly estimate client invoices.
  • Clearly communicate costs to clients.
  • Follow hospital guidelines for client payment and credit policies.
  • Appropriately use and conserve clinic resources.
• Continuing Education Responsibilities
  • Share information gathered at continuing education meetings with colleagues.
  • Assist in teaching at staff meetings.
  • Assist with mentoring and training staff members.
  • Attend at least 80% of on-site staff training and meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Management.

Additional Position Functions: Assignment to the areas listed below may include the following additional essential job functions:

• Strategic Focus
  • Work with Medical staff to build an understanding and an appreciation of how behaviors impact revenue.
  • Provide feedback to Medical staff on weekly/monthly production performance and coach for improvement.
  • Participate in marketing efforts where appropriate and provide suggestions for improvement.
  • Work with the PetVet Support Center on staff contract and compensation issues.
  • Provide stability and leadership within the Hospital.
  • Work with the Hospital Manager on weekly priorities and expectations.
  • Participate in weekly operational conference calls.
  • Work with the Hospital Manager on Medical Staff Scheduling.
  • Utilize a one-on-one process for ongoing direct communication with Medical staff and other Hospital support staff.
• Tactical Focus
  • Resolve client issues where appropriate (when attending Medical staff or Hospital Manager have not been effective).
  • Receive and evaluate new product information.
  • Evaluate and monitor protocols for the daily running of the hospital from intake to discharge.
  • Monitor cases in the hospital and attend daily rounds when possible to be sure the highest standards are being upheld.
  • Recommend fees for new products and services.
  • Meet regularly with the Hospital Manager to review controllable costs:
    • Medical staff and Support payroll
    • Inventory
    • Other Medical related expenses
  • Participate in assistant and technician reviews.
  • Maintain availability to answer questions with regards to all aspects of the hospital.
  • Participate in practice management updates and training at all levels.

Competencies:

• Clinical Knowledge and Skills: Demonstrate clinical knowledge and skill in examining and  assessing animals. Perform cardiovascular, respiratory, orthopedic, neurological and other  necessary examinations. Diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to develop solutions to challenges relating to the management of a high-quality veterinary hospital.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrate effective communication of diagnostic and therapeutic options to clients. Display effective communication with internal medical and hospital staff.
• Professionalism: Work as part of a high-quality, professional veterinary team with the ability to provide and receive appropriate constructive criticism, suggestions, and feedback.
• Business Acumen: Ability to understand the management and finances of the veterinary hospital practice.
• Ethics: Knowledge and understanding of ethical principles that guide decisions affecting patients.
• Commitment to Continuing Education: Commitment to utilize available resources of continuing education and to facilitate learning of others.

Qualifications:

• Veterinarian degree (DVM) from an accredited college or university.
• Current State Veterinary License.
• DEA registration must be obtained and maintained.
• Five plus years of experience in a veterinary practice.
• Experience overseeing Veterinary Technicians and Assistants as well as other hospital or practice staff.
• Must demonstrate a desire to continue learning in veterinary care and participate in leading staff training.

Position Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Excellent Communication Skills and the ability to communicate effectively, efficiently, and in a timely manner with all members of the Medical and Hospital staff.
• Client communication skills, must be able to elicit information, establish rapport, offer explanations with pet owners.
• Display confidence and reassurance when dealing with pets experiencing severe stress, illness, or pain.
• May include some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work.
• Position does require the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Additional Information:

The list of essential functions and additional functions, as outlined in this job description, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this position. The omission of any job function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a required assignment for the position.