Animal Health Associate

Job Description:

The Animal Health Associate role seeks to direct our Vetco Total Care hospital's veterinary team to offer superior quality healthcare to all animal patients and exceptional customer service to their owners. The leader embodies our undertaking and resolutions to all clients, veterinarians, and hospital and store partners.

Hospital partners are mandated to create a secure and healthy environment for all patients. The environment should accommodate their medical needs while ensuring their safety:

• It is imperative for medical personnel to recognize that patient requirements take precedence over any other concern
• Team members are aware of their capacity to do whatever is needed to provide a superb customer and patient experience
• Handling contentious issues as soon as they arise is essential to mitigate potential damage or complications that may occur if left unaddressed
• Exceptional teamwork and a steadfast commitment to common objectives yield tremendous benefits for the entire organization.

Promote a Sustainable, Brighter Future for Pets, Pet Parents, and Communities Everywhere!

With its commitment to making a positive impact, offering a promising career trajectory, embracing diversity, and prioritizing employee wellness, Petco stands out as an excellent choice for job seekers.

Our key principles embody the spirit of our efforts to advance the welfare of pets, people and the environment through virtuous actions.

• We treat all pets as if they are our own and show them the same devotion
• The pet industry's growth is reliant on us
• The main objective of our work is to enhance people's livelihoods
• Through joint effort, we attain extraordinary success
• We are appreciated for our authentic selves

Petco is a company dedicated to the care and well-being of pets, their owners, and employees. With over 29,000 members on its team, Petco has become the mainstay of the health and wellness industry. Its services extend throughout the United States and include over 1,500 pet care centers, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, and numerous preventive care clinics. Additionally, the company has eight distribution centers and two support centers.

We are an organization focused on promoting pet, caregiver, and Petco partner well-being, committed to advocating for and improving their overall health.

Our Commitments:

• We are passionate about pets and believe that our dedication to their welfare is the key to our prosperity.
• Blazing trails in animal care - Through a combination of passion and innovation, we are forging a new path in the pet industry and creating a brighter future for pets everywhere.
• Our objective is to bring pets and pet parents closer by facilitating interactions, addressing common concerns, and creating a positive environment for everyone involved.
• We are much more than just a service provider for pet owners. Our commitment to delivering solutions stems from our desire to create an extensive and seamless experience that connects pets and their owners in a meaningful way.
• Our commitment is to make pet health and wellness accessible to every owner and animal, regardless of financial resources.

Essential Job Functions:

This job requires certain duties and responsibilities which are necessary for the position and must be carried out by the candidate, even with no accommodation:

Leadership/Management duties:

• The head veterinarian responsible for the hospital team.
• Establish a partnership with the Hospital's Office Manager to develop a leadership approach that focuses on collaboration, effective communication, and conflict resolution.
• Provide hospital veterinarians with mentorship and coaching to enhance their clinical knowledge, team camaraderie, client rapport, and standard of care.
• Ensure that the hospital is committed to the delivery of high-quality medical services, in adherence to Petco Medical guidelines and all relevant laws and regulations.
• Consistent compliance with state practice act protocols is necessary for the success of any full-service veterinary hospital.
• Once you have selected the ideal candidate for the position, the onboarding process should begin, which may include providing an orientation to the clinic, reviewing policies and procedures, and assigning a mentor to guide them through the first few weeks.
• Assist in conducting interviews with potential partners from hospitals.
• Another consideration is the need to maintain the quality of care provided to pets. The schedule should be designed such that each vet is given adequate time to attend to their patients and handle emergencies when they arise. The schedule should also provide enough time for the vets to interact and communicate with the pet owners regarding their pets' health.
• Continuously monitor hospital performance and collaborate with HOM and field leaders to discover avenues for improving outcomes by maintaining high standards of care quality and fostering solid client relationships.
• Partner with the HOM and leadership in the field to achieve optimal financial results by developing an effective and efficient P&L monthly reporting system.
• Regularly scrutinize hospital electronic medical records concerning patient decisions, and advise hospital veterinarians on how to enhance the quality of patient care.
• Work with urgency to ensure swift resolution of reportable incidents and client complaints, partnering with the Hospital Office Manager and field leadership.
• Be in charge of maintaining compliance with state and federal DEA regulations by taking responsibility for ordering, inventorying, recording, and reporting all controlled substances in the hospital.
• Develop a culture where safety is at the forefront of all decision-making, benefiting our team, clients, and patients alike.
• Work together with the Hospital Office Manager to stay up-to-date with the latest radiation safety regulations and guidelines set forth by regulatory agencies.

Clinical Care duties:

• Deliver outstanding patient-centered care by undertaking comprehensive physical assessments, diagnosing and addressing health disorders, and providing preventative health measures customized to the patient's signalment, environment, and lifestyle.
• Adopt a comprehensive, problem-based approach that necessitates the development of a robust problem list for each patient, coupled with a comprehensive list of differential diagnoses for each issue identified, devising a reliable diagnostic plan, and utilizing diagnostic test results to determine the best treatment options.
• Take note of any suspected or confirmed diagnoses, along with their severity and progression, in the patient's medical file.
• Carry out surgical procedures, including spay/neuter operations, exploratory laparotomies, and tumor excisions to offer a broad spectrum of surgical care services.
• Proficient in executing basic and challenging dental procedures, including in-depth oral examination, interpretation of dental radiographs, simple and complex tooth extractions, and oral surgical procedures.
• Construct personalized care plans for patients undergoing daytime hospitalization, utilizing a comprehensive problem-based evaluation. Shift patients to long-term care as needed and communicate proficiently with referral hospitals and clients to ensure consistent patient care.

In addition to their main job functions, employees are often required to take on other tasks and responsibilities. These may include assisting with special projects, attending meetings, or providing backup coverage for coworkers. Such duties are essential to ensure the smooth operation of the organization and its objectives are met:

• Joining ward rounds during the handover process is a vital aspect of your role as a medical practitioner. You should be readily available to offer any critical information related to your patients' care.
• Increase the level of care and communication provided to patients and clients by distributing knowledge throughout the hospital staff.
• Undertake extra duties as required.
• Hold and preserve any required permits or accounts related to healthcare facility operations as required by the state.

Nature of Supervision:

The Hospital Medical Leader will have the Area Medical Director's direct supervision on all patient care-related activities. The Hospital Medical Leader is authorized to make decisions on patient care, provided that the Petco Veterinary SOPs are strictly followed. The Area Medical Director will provide guidance and feedback through electronic medical record reviews, which the Hospital Medical Leader should accept to advance patient care and client interactions in the hospital.

The success of a hospital's veterinary team hinges on the ability of its members to work together congenially and conduct themselves in a professional manner.

When faced with a complex problem, systematic planning can assist in breaking down the issue into more manageable components and developing an effective strategy for addressing them:

Veterinary medicine requires extensive problem-solving skills, and an ideal candidate should showcase their proficiency in this area to quickly and effectively diagnose animal ailments.

Impact:

In this role, the candidate will be expected to contribute actively to the overall efficacy of the healthcare organization. The employee will need to engage with and motivate team members, assess quality benchmarks and continually strive for better outcomes. Ensuring patients receive the best care available goes beyond physical treatment; it incorporates working with staff members to create an environment that is caring, compassionate and attentive.

Supervisory Responsibility:

As the supervisor of the hospital veterinarians, you will be responsible for managing both full-time and part-time staff as well as those providing temporary relief.

Education/Experience:

• Veterinarians must have successfully completed a degree program equivalent to Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from a veterinary school accredited by the AVMA.
• This position demands a minimum of one to three years of hands-on experience in veterinary medicine.
• Individuals who have experience in the mentoring and coaching of veterinarians will receive an advantage in the selection process.
• The requirement of having an active veterinarian license without limitations in the state where the hospital is positioned or being competent to obtain it before the beginning of the job.
• Current DEA license.
• Before starting work at the hospital, you need to possess a valid and current Controlled Substance License in the state of residence or have the ability to obtain one.
• USDA Category I (minimum) Accreditation must be earned or obtained within two months following the date of hire.
• Adept at providing anesthesia and executing routine surgical procedures for pets including canine and feline sterilization, tumor extirpation, and teeth cleaning.
• Adequate written and oral communication abilities are vital.
• In difficult circumstances, exhibiting sympathy and kindness alongside a professional behavior is imperative.
• Telephone and computer skills are mandatory.
• The preferred candidate will have the ability to work in a team-oriented environment, be open to learning new practices and treatments, contribute creative ideas, and embrace change.

Work Environment:

The majority of the job duties will be performed in the Vetco Total Care veterinary full-service hospital. The job entails physical activities like bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds, if required), and standing for extended periods. Along with this, the partner will have substantial contact with clients and their pets.