Career Opportunities

Best Friends Veterinary Hospital located in Poway, CA is in search of a Medical Director & exceptional leader to join our practice and lead our Team. We are a close-knit group that strives to provide the best care & service to our clients & their beloved pets. We are pleased to serve pet owners in Poway & greater San Diego area by offering comprehensive veterinary services, as well as rehabilitative care. Our mission is to provide our clients with cutting-edge medical care while also showing compassion and providing exceptional service. 

We are prepared to offer you an amazing compensation package that includes:

• Amazing Flexible Work Schedule
• Generous Compensation-$150,000 Base Salary
• Quarterly No Deficit Carryover Production Plan Available
• Annual Medical Director Stipend paid Biweekly
• Lucrative Sign-On Bonus w/ a multi-year agreement
• Relocation Bonus up to $50,000
• Paid Time Off 
• CE Allotment & Additional CE PTO
• Full-Time Benefits following 30 days
• Reimbursement for membership dues and license fees
• Healthy Minds Program & Employee Assistance Programs
• Numerous Veterinary Partner & Retail Discounts 

Our ideal candidate must be committed to providing exceptional veterinary care, as well as possess good communication, organizational skills & the ability to lead a team. Our skilled technicians and support staff are available to support your patient care needs & will assist in carrying out your medical plans & post-op care.

Our hospital offers a great work environment & phenomenal culture! You will absolutely fall in love with this hospital & our community! We are fully equipped to practice high-quality medicine.  Equipment highlights include digital radiography including, digital dental radiology, ultrasound, advanced in-house lab & pharmacy.

Located just Northeast of San Diego, Poway is a family-oriented community. San Diego is known for its mild year-round climate, natural deep-water harbor, extensive beaches, long association with the United States Navy & Marine Corp. The city is home to a multitude of cultural and arts opportunities, as well as professional sports, and endless outdoor activities. If hiking is your passion, take time to explore our many hiking trails including capturing an incredible photo at Potato Chip Rock, or conquer the 5-mile steep trail of Iron Mountain for a chance to look down on a panoramic view of San Diego.

Learn more and apply by visiting www.petvetcareers.com or emailing your CV/resume to Sonni Iris Nevarez at snevarez@petvetcarecenters.com

Job Description located below.

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Position Overview: The Medical Director (MD) is responsible for providing strong leadership for the hospital, managing and mentoring associate veterinarians, and assuring regulatory compliance relating to the practice of veterinary medicine. The MD is also responsible for maintaining an environment of teamwork in which the highest quality veterinary medicine is delivered. In partnership with the hospital leadership team, the MD holds shared responsibility for the financial health of the hospital, directing staff and the overall management of practice operations. The MD also serves as a staff veterinarian in addition to the administrative and leadership duties of the MD role. Effective MDs demonstrate strong work and professional ethics, a positive attitude, and uphold a high standard of patient care. They are part of the foundation upon which successful veterinary practices are built and directly impact and influence hospital culture and morale.

Essential Functions:

• Maintaining a high quality of progressive veterinary care
  • Oversees and gives directives regarding medical standards and quality of care
  • Sets policies as they pertain to the practice of medicine
  • Works toward making various services work as one team
  • In conjunction with appropriate leadership team members, recommends additions to the hospital inventory
  • Budgets for new equipment and provides a reasonable cost estimate and return on investment
  • Sees patients and handles clinical practice
  • Ensures positive communication with clients and between doctors, including the proper transfer of patient care responsibilities
  • Reviews patient records for completeness and accuracy and uses them to promote medical excellence
  • Appropriately manages controlled drugs
  • Reviews and approves requests for alternatives to additional drugs and medical supplies
  • Conducts regular doctor meetings
  • Performs other duties as assigned by Manager

Administration duties:

• Handles patient care problems, client complaints, and referral partner issues
• Manages veterinary, client, and board complaints and recommends resolutions
• Schedules staff at the hospital to meet practice needs
• Develops medical policies
• Assists in ensuring practice compliance with the State Veterinary Medical Practice Act, OSHA, and AAHA standards

Leading by example:

• Holds licensure in good standing to practice and maintains all required licenses with timely renewals
• Monitors DVM performance and production, provides coaching when appropriate
• Serves as a mentor and role model for all staff veterinarians

Development of the practice:

• Leads candidate interviews of potential DVMs
• Identifies new service opportunities that do not currently exist in the hospital
• Holds ownership for the revenue and success of the practice through monitoring key performance indicators and works with the Hospital Manager to make adjustments to achieve positive results
• Helps identify and plan for upcoming challenges in maintaining hospital operations and possible temporary solutions (locum)
• Performs other duties as assigned by Manager

Competencies:

• Conflict resolution
• Leadership
• Communication
• Customer Service
• Ethics
• Positivity

Qualifications: Education/Experience:

• Doctor in Veterinary Medicine Degree
• 3-5 years of clinical experience, preferred

Skills:

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent time-management and delegation abilities
• Exercises sound judgment and demonstrates exemplary decision-making skills
• Professionalism and courtesy in all interactions with others
• Well-developed interpersonal skills

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

Position Overview: The veterinary assistant provides support to the veterinarians and technicians in their daily tasks by cleaning and maintaining equipment, feeding, exercising and grooming patients, preparing and sanitizing surgery suites, restraining and handling patients, and clerical and administrative work. They deliver quality care for all patients and provide exceptional service.

Essential Functions:

• Provide compassionate care to all patients
• Greet patients and their owners as they arrive and show them to an examining room, taking the patient's weight and other vital signs upon arrival
• Triage patients, perform physical exams, treatments, and administer medication as directed by the licensed veterinary technicians (LVT's).
• Calm and soothe anxious patients
• Assist doctors and technicians with the administration of medications or with patient restraint
• Perform laboratory tests and take radiographs
• Operate and maintain hospital equipment, including EKG, fluid pump, syringe pump, scales, anesthetic monitors, and machines, etc.
• Fill prescriptions, calculate and administer medications, maintain proper documentation, logging, and security of controlled drugs.
• Feed patients as prescribed by the attending doctor or as the client has requested; record appetites; recognize and report any unusual conditions or abnormal behaviors
• Communicate in a positive manner with clients and ensure that they feel comfortable leaving their pet(s)
• Educate clients about insurance, wellness, and medicinal plans
• Maintain the cleanliness of the hospital each day; clean equipment, kennels, and facilities using chemicals and supplies; ensure the safe use of chemicals; complete laundry
• Bath and care for patients who stay overnight; ensure that every animal released is clean and properly groomed prior to their release
• Adhere to the hospital's safety and wellness regulations
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Maintain accurate medical records
• Show up for work regularly; full-time presence at work is essential for every shift
• Promote hospital products and services and support the organization
• Respond respectfully with urgency to directions given by Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVT).
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Manager; may have other assigned duties if working in a specialty area (i.e., dentistry, surgery, emergency, radiology, cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, etc.)

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

Cardiology:

• Assists in collecting and submitting laboratory samples
• Ability to learn to identify common and acquired cardiac disorders and arrhythmias
• Sets up and calibrates transducers/physiographs to measure intracardiac and intravascular pressures
• Understands the basic physiology and engineering of pacemakers

Dentistry:

• Assists with dental cleanings, polishing, and intraoral radiographs
• Assists with dental procedures and oral surgery

Dermatology:

• Assists with performing ear cleanings and minor flushes
• Obtains skin scrapes and tape samples
• Prepares skin and ear cytology
• May induce and monitor anesthesia under direction and supervision
• May place intravenous catheters
• May prepare and administer medications, intravenously, orally, and topically

Emergency:

• Assists veterinarians with a variety of emergency procedures and critical care situations
• Cleans wounds and applies casts or bandages
• Give injections and takes blood samples
• May have to be on call in the intensive care unit

Internal Medicine:

• Researches general wellness and preventative medicine for animals

Neurology:

• Assists with various technical procedures including intravenous catheter placement, venipuncture, IV injections, wound management, drug administration assistance, bandage care, vital sign monitoring, intubation, surgery support, and various routine diagnostic Electromyography (EMG) testing

Oncology:

• Assists veterinarians with patient assessment, diagnostics, treatments, and procedures
• Provides empathy, comfort, and unparalleled nursing care to all patients and serves as a strong patient advocate during the patient's hospitalization
• Provides client communication and education on various oncology disease processes

Ophthalmology:

• Assists veterinarians with ocular exams
• Assists with diagnostic testing (Schirmer Tear Testing, Tonometry, Ocular Ultrasounds, Electroretinogram testing, etc.)

Radiology:

• Assists veterinarians with providing high-quality diagnostic imaging services to inpatient, outpatient, surgical, and emergency patients

Surgery:

• Provides extensive surgical assistance by preparing patients, scrubbing, shaving, acting as a surgical nurse, and operating specific surgical equipment and supplies

Competencies:

• Care and Compassion – displays a desire to build rapport, provide personal assistance, and emotional support
• Animal Restraint and Safety – uses sound judgment when handling patients and always takes appropriate precautionary steps when needed
• Communication – uses effective and appropriate methods of interacting with others
• Team Orientation – works cooperatively with the team to address tasks and accomplish goals
• Dependability – demonstrates responsibility in completing all job tasks
• Cleanliness Standards – consistently follows sanitization and sterilization policies and procedures
• Energy and Productivity – completes tasks quickly and thoroughly without prompting
• Time Management – manages time and prioritizes work tasks effectively
• Technical Skills and Learning – keeps up-to-date with new technical skills and knowledge in the field
• Care and Use of Equipment – takes appropriate steps to perform operation checks and maintenance of equipment

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• One or more years' experience in a veterinary environment successfully performing all of the duties of this position
• Vet Tech (VTNE) Certification preferred
• Experience with surgical monitoring, radiology, dental prophylaxis, and client education preferred
• May consider an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience

Position Requirements:

• Maintains current knowledge in the field of expertise and actively seeks opportunities for continuing education and skill improvement.
• Ability to restrain animals, fill prescriptions, and monitor sedation procedures
• Ability to work with or around sick animals, potentially hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odors
• Requires knowledge of hospital procedures, policies, and services; client and patient treatment protocols; hospital computer systems; and the standard procedures, records, and terminology used in a veterinary hospital.
• Must be flexible with scheduling and able to work some weekends and holidays
• Depending on the functional area of assignment, tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and/or extended periods of time standing and/or walking.
• This is a strenuous job that requires a lot of lifting, cleaning, and constant motion. May involve some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling
• Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work, usually involving lifting or carrying moderately heavy animals (up to 50 pounds)

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

Position Overview:

The Veterinary Technician supports hospital operations by providing dedicated quality veterinary care and exceptional service to our patients and clients. Responsibilities include providing patient care by determining animal requirements, conducting examinations and diagnostic procedures, assisting during surgery and operations, providing nursing care, assisting with feeding and caring for patients, maintaining medical supplies and equipment, overseeing triage and discharging patients, and maintaining patient medical records.

Essential Position Functions:

• Determine animal requirements by conducting examinations and interviews, reviewing care plans and records, completing laboratory tests and studies, and diagnostic imaging.
• Care for patients by taking vital signs, collecting samples, administering medications, drugs, and vaccines, and bandaging and wrapping wounds.
• Support patient examinations and operations by assembling required supplies and instruments, securing and bringing patients to examination rooms, and restraining patients; aids as directed by the veterinarian.
• Provide excellent pet care by applying full knowledge of anatomy, physiology, disease processes, pharmacology, specialized equipment usage, and specialized drug administration.
• Obtain and verify medications.
• Ensure that patients have food and water, clean patients' rooms, cages, and equipment; observe patients for clinical signs of disease.
• As directed, fill prescriptions and administer medications, including proper documentation, logging, and security of controlled drugs.
• Maintain a safe, secure, healthy, and humane environment by sterilizing and wrapping instruments, sanitizing and disinfecting holding and operating areas, storing sterile supplies, verifying shelf life, following standards and procedures, and in compliance with applicable legal regulations.
• Maintain medical records by documenting patients’ conditions, reactions, and changes; update the database in an accurate and timely manner.
• Communicate with the pet owner about the status of the patient, as directed by the veterinarian.
• Maintain equipment by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining equipment supplies, performing preventive maintenance, and calling for repairs.
• Maintain inventory, place orders for needed supplies, verify, and maintain receipts.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities and reading professional journals.
• Release pets to their owners as directed; ensure that every animal released is clean and properly groomed before their release.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Manager or practice.

Additional Position Functions:

Assignment to the specialty medical areas listed below may require the following additional job functions:

Dentistry

• Perform dental cleanings, polishing, and intraoral radiographs.
• Perform nerve blocks.
• Assist with dental procedures and oral surgery.

Dermatology

• Prepare and administer medications, intravenously, orally, and topically.
• Perform ear cleanings and minor flushes.
• Obtain skin scrapes and tape samples.
• Prepare skin and ear cytology.
• Induce and monitor anesthesia.
• Place intravenous catheters.

Emergency

• Assist veterinarians with a variety of emergency procedures and critical care situations.
• Monitor vitals, place catheters and take x-rays.
• Clean wounds and apply casts or bandages.
• Give injections and take blood samples.
• May have to be on call in the intensive care unit.

Imaging

• Assist veterinarians with a variety of diagnostic imaging modalities, including digital radiography, ultrasound, etc.

Integrative

• Maintain logs of pet diagnoses, treatments, and follow-up results so veterinarians can track responses to integrative care.

Internal Medicine

• Research general wellness and preventative medicine for patients.

Neurology

• Perform various technical procedures, including anesthesia support and monitoring, intravenous catheter placement, venipuncture, IV injections, wound management, drug administration assistance, bandage care, and surgery support.

Ophthalmology

• Assist veterinarians with ocular exams.
• Perform and/or assist with diagnostic testing (Schirmer Tear Testing, Tonometry, etc.).

Radiology

• Assist veterinarians with providing high-quality diagnostic imaging services to in-patient, out-patient, surgical, and emergency pets.

Surgery

• Provide extensive surgical assistance by preparing pets, scrubbing, shaving, acting as a surgical nurse, and operating specific surgical equipment and supplies.

Competencies:

• Care and Compassion: Displays a desire to build rapport, provide personal assistance, and emotional support.
• Team Orientation: Works cooperatively with the team to address tasks and accomplish goals.
• Dependability: Demonstrates responsibility in completing tasks and accomplishing goals.
• Initiative: Proactively looks for the opportunity to address and follow through on work activities.
• Flexibility and Multi-Tasking: Adapts quickly to changing demands and manages multiple priorities effectively.
• Communication: Uses effective and appropriate methods of interacting with others.
• Customer Services: Displays a desire to provide outstanding service and exceed customer expectations.
• Organization and Attention to Detail: Monitors and reviews information thoroughly and maintains an organized system for all documents.
• Adherence to Rules and Instructions: Consistently follows standard procedures.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two or more years of experience with veterinary appointments, surgeries, and nursing care for hospitalized and critical patients.
• Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), or the Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT) preferred or as required by State.
• May consider an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience.

Position Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Knowledge of the preparation, monitoring, and recovery of pets receiving surgery, as well as basic pet nursing.
• Ability to demonstrate and follow correct procedures in catheter placement, phlebotomy, emergency medicine, and digital radiology.
• Understand and limit the potential exposure to bites, scratches, and potential injuries.
• Able to restrain patients according to standard procedures.
• Fill prescriptions and monitor sedation procedures as directed by the veterinarian.
• Ability to work with or around sick animals, potentially hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals, gas anesthetics, zoonotic diseases, and unpleasant odors.
• Display confidence and reassurance when dealing with pets experiencing severe stress, illness, or pain.
• Communicate and approach job duties in a professional and mature manner.
• Must be flexible with scheduling and able to work some weekends and holidays.
• This is a strenuous job that requires a lot of lifting, cleaning, and constant motion.
• Depending on the functional area of assignment, tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and/or extended periods of time standing and/or walking.
• May include some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work, usually involving lifting or carrying moderately heavy animals (up to 50 pounds).
• Answer phones and perform other duties as needed by the hospital.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Manager or practice.

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.