Area Chief of Staff Veterinarian

Medical Management International, Inc.; Palm Desert (CA); On-site; USD 148,946 - 215,144; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Generous Retirement Plans (401(k) and Roth)

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Continuing Education Allowance

Job summary

VCA Inc. in Palm Desert, California is seeking an Area Chief of Staff to lead and develop associate veterinarians across multiple hospitals. You will ensure the delivery of quality care and meet expected hospital performance measures. The ideal candidate will have a DVM/VMD degree, a strong background in small animal medicine and surgery, and proven leadership skills.

This role offers a competitive salary range of $148,946 – $215,144 annually and is eligible for variable pay based on production. Comprehensive benefits are also included.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in managing teams and ensuring quality care.
• Effective communication skills and conflict management.
• Ability to adapt to complex and changing environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage associate veterinarians in multiple hospitals.
• Drive quality of care and hospital performance measures.
• Ensure compliance with clinical essentials and regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Talent Development

Financial Acumen

Problem-solving

Surgical skills

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD)

Three years of experience in small animal medicine and surgery practice

Job description

Area Chief of Staff

Pay range for this role (full‑time) is $148,946 – $215,144 annually. The position is also eligible for variable pay based on production. The pay range reflects a general hiring range for the area; the specific rate is determined based on the candidate’s experience, skill level, abilities, and education, and may vary by location and schedule.

Summary of Job Purpose and Function

The primary purpose and function of the Area Chief of Staff (ACOS) is to lead, develop and manage associate veterinarians in their hospitals to ensure Banfield can attract, develop, engage and retain doctors who deliver quality care and meet expected hospital performance measures. The ACOS drives the culture and delivery of quality care by the veterinary provider team (DVM, CVT, VA) in assigned hospitals, ensuring every pet receives consistent care aligned with the six domains of quality: safe, effective, patient/client‑centered, timely, efficient and equitable.

Essential Responsibilities

• Live and exemplify the Five Principles of Mars, Inc. within self and team.
• Act as responsible veterinarian for veterinary and pharmacy board permits, as required by federal, state or local law.
• Own and manage controlled substance inventory for relief doctors.
• Drive doctor engagement and retention by assessing risk, ensuring proactive strategies and creating a supportive community.
• Provide medical leadership by fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment in partnership with practice managers.
• Validate clinical skillsets and alignment with quality standards through record reviews, quality assignments, audits and patient‑safety event reviews.
• Allocate clinical time based on hospital numbers, direct reports and productivity; percentage agreed upon case‑by‑case.
• Oversee coaching program for newly hired veterinarians, ensuring productive engagement and knowledge of Banfield standards, Op‑Wellness Plans, processes and workflows.
• Partner with Veterinary Quality and Talent Acquisition to recruit veterinary talent and act as a brand ambassador in the local veterinary community.
• Deliver an excellent hospital experience to student externs, student job program participants and veterinary candidates during hospital observations.
• Collaborate with associate doctors to guide skills needed for productivity goals, focusing on preventive care and superior client experience.
• Achieve veterinary operations KPIs, working with practice managers to develop, execute and adjust plans that meet targeted targets.
• Accountable to hospital OGSM performance; quality medicine delivers operational outcomes.
• Develop veterinary leadership talent bench and succession plan for assigned hospital pod.
• Ensure compliance with Banfield clinical essentials, government regulations, and veterinary industry standards through assessments, reviews, audits and event reviews.
• Maintain regulatory compliance for hospital operations, controlled substance management and radiation safety; resolve identified gaps promptly.
• Champion preventive care culture, communicating behaviors that drive Op‑Wellness Plan growth and retention.
• Establish a yes‑culture that drives access to care and superior client service, aiming to meet or exceed client experience scorecard goals.
• Resolve client complaints related to medical standard of care in a timely manner.
• Manage medical equipment inventory and new equipment requests in partnership with the Director of Veterinary Quality.
• Provide the highest level of veterinary care to every pet, ensuring a professional and ethical experience for client and pet.
• Other job duties as assigned.

The Five Principles

Quality – The consumer is our boss, quality is our work, and value for money is our goal.
Responsibility – As individuals, we demand total responsibility from ourselves; as associates, we support the responsibility of others.
Mutuality – A mutual benefit is a shared benefit; a shared benefit will endure.
Efficiency – We use resources to the full, waste nothing and do only what we can do best.
Freedom – We need freedom to shape our future; we need profit to remain free.

Hiring Qualifications / Competencies

• Leadership: Plans and aligns, drives vision and purpose.
• Talent Development: Develops talent, manages conflict.
• Financial Acumen: Manages financial aspects.
• Complexity Management: Handles complexity.
• Functional Expertise: Attracts top talent, communicates effectively.
• Results Orientation: Drives results, ensures accountability.

Capabilities and Experience (Can Do)

• Multi‑tasking ability across multiple tasks under distracting conditions.
• Organizational skill: systematic approach and order.
• Surgical skills: ability to perform basic surgeries.
• Problem‑solving: strong analytical and practical solutions.
• Intellectual ability: follows instructions accurately, provides directions.
• Commitment to continual learning.
• Mathematical ability for calculations and unit conversions.
• Computer skills: comfortable using specialized software.

Attitudes (Will Do)

• Initiative and willingness to design solutions.
• Integrity and adherence to Banfield values and ethics.
• Cooperativeness and collaboration.
• Flexibility and independence in task completion.
• Resilience and positive outlook under stress.

Special Working Conditions

• Work at a computer for long periods; project timelines may require more than 40 hours per week.
• Must possess mental processes for reasoning, memory, mathematics, and language ability (reading, writing, speaking English).
• Ability to carry out written, oral, or diagram instructions and solve multi‑variable problems.
• Physical requirements: stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb; manipulate up to 50lbs; good hand‑eye coordination and visual acuity.
• Moderate noise level; exposure to pets that may bite or scratch; occasional exposure to anesthesia, radiation, biological hazards and controlled substances.
• Some travel to assist other area hospitals, vendor visits and associate education.

Experience, Education and/or Training

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) or equivalent foreign degree required.
• Veterinary license in good standing or eligibility for licensure with all applicable state veterinary boards for assigned hospitals.
• Three years of experience in small animal medicine and surgery practice.

Benefits

We prioritize your well‑being and professional growth by offering a comprehensive total rewards package, including health, wellness and financial support for you, your family and even your pets. Benefits include

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance.
• Generous Retirement Plans (401(k) and Roth) with company match.
• Best‑in‑Class Student Debt Relief Program (for full‑time DVMs).
• Paid Time Off and Holidays.
• Top‑Tier Mental Health and Well‑being Resources.
• Associate Life and Supplemental Life Insurance.
• Company‑Paid Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Continuing Education Allowance (for eligible positions).
• Back‑Up Child and Elder Care & Family Support Resources.
• Fertility and Family Building Support.
• Digital Exercise Therapy.
• Voluntary Protection Benefits.
• Legal Plan.
• Identity Protection.
• Commuter Benefits.
• Three Free Op‑Wellness Plans for Pets.
• Exclusive Discounts.

Benefits eligibility is based on employment status. Full‑time (FT) Associates are eligible for all benefit programs (Student Debt Program available for FT DVMs only); part‑time Associates are eligible for those benefits marked with an asterisk (*).

Equal Opportunity & Diversity Statement

WE ARE A DRUG‑FREE, SMOKE‑FREE, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Banfield Pet Hospital strongly supports and values the uniqueness of all individuals and promotes a work environment where diversity is embraced. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. Banfield complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every Banfield location. We believe that embracing inclusion and diversity enables us to live our purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.

About Us

Banfield is a community of caring people marked by a diversity of thought, background and approach. Together, we’re bonded by a commitment to our purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. Our pledge is to create an inclusive environment where associates can be themselves, so that we can find value in our differences. And we know that’s best achieved by upholding the health and well‑being of our associates.