Animal Care Expert

Job Description:

The Animal Care Expert designation aims to supervise the veterinary team of our Vetco Total Care hospital and guarantee excellent animal healthcare to all patients. In addition, the role requires the leader to provide unparalleled customer service to animal owners while embodying our mission and commitments to clients, vets, and partners of the hospital and store.

Creating a Healthy and Safe Environment for Patients:

• Patient needs should be the primary concern of healthcare providers, as they hold ultimate responsibility for the patient's health and safety
• The power to create an exceptional experience for customers and patients is acknowledged by every team member
• Resolving controversial matters as they happen or as soon as feasible is critical to maintain a positive and efficient workplace and prevent further issues from arising
• The advantages of outstanding teamwork and a shared sense of purpose extend to every corner of the organization.

Create a Sustainable, Vibrant Future for People, Pets, and Their Owners!

Petco provides an excellent opportunity for those seeking to contribute to a meaningful cause, grow professionally, enjoy an all-encompassing environment, and tend to their overall health.

Our guiding principles reflect the essence of our mission to make a positive impact on animal welfare, society and the planet.

• Each and every animal receives the same level of love and compassion as our beloved pets
• Our creativity will shape the future of pet products
• We strive to improve the well-being of those we serve
• Cooperative work generates remarkable results for us
• We are greeted with open arms

Petco is a company that sets the precedent for excellence in the health and wellness industry. Its mission is to improve the lives of pets, pet owners, and its own personnel. The company has a strong workforce of over 29,000 who collaborate to provide the finest products, services and care. It boasts over 1,500 pet care centers countrywide, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, and hundreds of preventive care clinics. Additionally, it has eight distribution centers and two support centers.

Our goal is to enrich the lives of pets, their caregivers, and our valued employees at Petco by promoting healthy habits and wellness programs.

Our Commitments:

• Our business philosophy revolves around the notion that prioritizing the needs of pets ultimately leads to success.
• Pioneers of pet care - We lead the way in the pet industry by constantly exploring new methods and pushing the boundaries of how pets are treated.
• As ardent pet enthusiasts, we aim to build a community where pets can thrive and pet owners can form meaningful connections, thereby enhancing the overall experience of having a pet.
• For pet owners in search of reliable and effective solutions, we have everything covered. Our approach is centered around providing holistic and interconnected services that are accessible from one central source.
• We are driven by the desire to provide affordable and convenient healthcare for all pets.

Essential Job Functions:

The candidate must be capable of completing all the essential duties and responsibilities listed below, and this position necessitates them with or without reasonable accommodation:

Leadership/Management duties:

• The leader of the hospital's veterinary department.
• Join forces with the Office Manager of the Hospital to build a strong and united team that can work towards achieving the Hospital's objectives.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement in clinical proficiency, client engagement, teamwork, and standards of care for hospital veterinarians by providing guidance and coaching.
• Assume responsibility for fostering a culture of medical excellence within the hospital, ensuring compliance with Petco Medical standard operating procedures and applicable laws and regulations.
• In order to ensure smooth operations of full-service veterinary hospitals, it is imperative to fully comprehend and enforce state practice requirements.
• It is essential to evaluate the candidate's communication and interpersonal skills to ensure they will be able to effectively interact with clients and colleagues.
• Join in interviews with potential hospital collaborators.
• It is also important to ensure that the vets are working within their scopes of practice and are not overburdened with tasks that could be delegated to other staff members. This can help to minimize the chances of burnout among the veterinarians, which could lead to poor performance and mistakes.
• Pay close attention to the performance of hospitals, working in conjunction with HOM and field leadership to identify opportunities that can positively impact business success through exceptional quality of care and effective client communication.
• Strategize with the HOM and other key stakeholders to design and implement an effective and streamlined monthly P&L reporting process, in order to enhance revenue growth and exceed financial targets.
• Conduct periodic reviews of electronic medical records in the hospital, specifically pertaining to patient decisions, and furnish hospital veterinarians with constructive criticism and direction aimed at improving patient care.
• Work in conjunction with the Hospital Office Manager and field leadership in resolving reportable occurrences and client grievances expeditiously.
• Stay accountable for maintaining the proper management of controlled substances in the hospital by overseeing the ordering, inventorying, recording, and reporting of these substances and meeting state and federal DEA regulations.
• Build an enduring culture of safety that provides the framework for our team to consistently implement best practices to keep everyone safe.
• Join forces with the Hospital Office Manager to create a comprehensive hospital radiation safety training program that includes proper handling and disposal of radioactive materials.

Clinical Care duties:

• Offer exceptional patient care by administering thorough physical exams, diagnosing and treating diseases, and providing prevention protocols based on each patient's specific signalment, surroundings, and habits.
• Employ a problem-oriented methodology in diagnosing and treating patients that involves developing an exhaustive list of identified problems, listing differential diagnoses for each problem, devising an effective diagnostic plan, and prescribing the appropriate treatment based on diagnostic test results that confirm or suggest potential diagnoses.
• Document all client interactions, including questions, concerns, and feedback, in the patient's medical history to ensure that all parties remain informed.
• Execute surgical procedures, both simple and complicated, that incorporate spay/neuter procedures, exploratory laparotomies, and tumor removals to provide a comprehensive range of surgical interventions.
• Capable of carrying out routine and complex dental procedures consisting of complete dental assessment, analysis of dental imagery, as well as straightforward and complicated tooth extractions and oral surgical treatments.
• Develop full treatment plans for patients receiving daytime hospitalization, drawing on an exhaustive problem-based diagnosis. Transfer patients to overnight care when necessary and work closely with referral hospitals and clients to maintain optimum continuity of patient care.

Extra Assignments and Obligations:

• One way to fulfill your duty as a doctor in the hospital is by actively participating in rounds, whether you are an incoming or an exiting physician.
• Disseminate information among colleagues in order to improve patient and client relationships through better communication and care.
• Carry out further obligations given to you.
• Maintain possession and renewal of all essential state premise permits or vendor accounts for hospital facilities.

Nature of Supervision:

Patient care activities will be supervised by the Area Medical Director from whom the Hospital Medical Leader will receive direct guidance. While the Hospital Medical Leader is authorized to make decisions on patient care, adherence to the Petco Veterinary SOPs is paramount. The Hospital Medical Leader should anticipate receiving feedback on patient decisions through electronic medical record reviews, aimed at elevating patient care and client interactions in the hospital.

In order to achieve a conducive working environment, hospital veterinarians must operate in a collaborative manner, adhering to norms of professionalism and approachability.

To find workable solutions, it is critical to employ systematic planning in analyzing situations and identifying potential solutions:

Rapid problem-solving skills are a necessity in veterinary medicine, and any successful candidate should possess exceptional problem-solving skills to ensure swift diagnosis and treatment of animals.

Impact:

By prioritizing proficiency and efficiency, the organization hopes this position will streamline operations allowing team members to focus on delivering high-quality services. With standardized processes in place, patients and their families can experience consistent, reliable care leading to a positive perception of the organization. At the same time, establishing operating procedures and protocol can help to maximize staff productivity and minimize errors.

Supervisory Responsibility:

In this role, you will oversee all veterinary staff members in the hospital, including both permanent and temporary employees.

Education/Experience:

• The AVMA specifies that veterinarians must have a degree equivalent to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine earned from a recognized veterinary school.
• You must have worked in the veterinary field for a minimum of one to three years to be considered for this job.
• Those with prior experience in mentoring and coaching veterinarians will be prioritized.
• Being a licensed veterinarian without conditions in the state where the hospital is established or having the potential of getting the authorization by the initial day of work.
• Current DEA license.
• The ability to obtain a Current Controlled Substance License in the state where the hospital is located is a mandatory requirement for successful employment.
• Meeting the USDA Category I (minimum) Accreditation requirement is a must-have or should be accomplished within the initial two months of joining.
• Skilled in the successful administration of anesthesia and performing typical surgical interventions such as spays, neuters, tumor resections, and dental prophylaxis for companion animals.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are mandatory.
• Maintaining a professional demeanor while demonstrating empathy and compassion during emotional events is a valuable characteristic to possess.
• One must possess telephone and computer expertise.
• The perfect candidate should be a team-oriented individual who is ready to learn new tricks and treatments, come up with original concepts, and adapt to changes.

Work Environment:

The Vetco Total Care veterinary full-service hospital is the primary workspace for this position. Tasks that require bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds, where needed), and standing for a prolonged period will be a regular part of this job. Additionally, the partner will interact with clients and their pets extensively.