Group Medical Director - Heartland

Pet Services of Washington, P.S.; United States; On-site; USD 210,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Pet Services of Washington, P.S. seeks a Group Medical Director (GMD) to lead and mentor medical teams across multiple VCA hospitals, ensuring high medical quality, patient safety, and excellent client service.

The GMD provides clinical oversight, supports the development of Medical Directors and veterinarians, and drives consistent delivery of veterinary care across the group while balancing clinical excellence with operational priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor medical teams across multiple hospitals, ensuring high medical quality and patient safety.
• Provide clinical oversight and support for the professional development of Medical Directors and veterinarians.
• Drive consistent delivery of high-quality veterinary care across the group within organizational objectives.
• Champion patient safety, medical quality, efficiency and innovation while aligning clinical practices with strategic goals.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and collaboration with Medical Affairs, GPCDs, and operational leadership.
• Balance medical excellence with operational and financial priorities to support hospital performance.

Job description

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

The Group Medical Director (GMD) - Heartland leads and mentors medical teams across multiple VCA hospitals, ensuring high medical quality, patient safety, and excellent client service. Through strategic leadership, clinical oversight, and support for the professional development of Medical Directors and veterinarians, the GMD drives the consistent delivery of high-quality veterinary care across hospitals within their Group.

As a key member of the medical field leadership team, the GMD upholds medical standards that exceed industry benchmarks and promotes evidence-based practices that incorporate emerging medical advancements. The role fosters a culture of continuous learning and professional development among Veterinarian and Patient Care Associates. In close collaboration with VCA Medical Affairs, Group Patient Care Directors, and operational leadership, the GMD champions patient safety, medical quality, efficiency, and innovation while aligning clinical practices with organizational objectives. Together with the GPCDs and Field Operators, the GMD forms the triad of care partnership that supports consistent care delivery and hospital performance across the Group. These efforts drive improved patient outcomes, strengthen associate retention, and build trusted relationships with clients and external partners.

By championing innovation, psychological safety, and professional collaboration, the GMD plays a key role in strengthening both clinical excellence and Associate engagement in support of VCA's commitment to consistent, compassionate veterinary care. The GMD also contributes to hospital performance by advancing medical quality and making decisions that balance medical excellence with operational and financial priorities, directly supporting strong P&L outcomes.

Driving Medical and Operational Excellence:

Accountable for hospital performance across financial, medical quality and safety, operational, client experience, and Associate engagement outcomes, measured through core KPIs such as Associate Experience, Doctor Productivity, Associate Retention, Patient Safety compliance, Client NPS, and Quality Medical Reports.

Quality Medicine & Patient Safety:

Ensure that current medical standards as well as best practices in patient care are implemented and supported by building collaborative relationships with the hospital teams they support.

Coach and develop Medical Directors to elevate the caliber of care delivered by using available resources and reports, medical record review, and on-site observation and take

definitive action when there is an observable opportunity to improve the level of care delivered.

Provide subject matter expertise to develop, identify, and support training and educational resources and events for medical teams in collaboration with field leadership and VCA Medical Affairs.

Provide the medical voice through the lens of the medical team at the group level and in collaboration with group business operations to achieve hospital goals.

Support the development and deployment of practices that incorporate cutting edge medical advancements, continually evolving Standards of care, and accountability measures to maintain VCA's leadeship in veterinary medicine.

Ensure medical equipment to ensure it aligns with current medical guidelines and standard, hospital needs, is properly maintained, and usage is maximized. This includes formulating strategy and busness plan for replacement, addition of services and new equipment requests.

Ensure medical record integrity by regularly reviewing Associate doctor medical records with each Medical Director, that standard of care has been met or exceeded, and to promote medical excellence, apropriate case management and ethical care.

Educate veterinary teams on the recommended methods of elevating client experience, including timely and effective client communications, improved compliance, and proper case follow up.

Manage veterinary board and medically based client complaints and other legal actions from notification through resolution, working with appropriate operational leaders and legal support.

Collaborate with field leadership to establish patient care priorities and measurable goals to drive quality medicine across Group.

Champion quality initiatives including Patient Safety Event Reporting to identify and mitigate adverse events, ultimately enhancing patient safety and care outcomes.

Field Leadership:

Model VCA's mission and The Five Principles of Mars, Inc., setting the cultural tone for the organisation and fostering a purpose-driven, high-trust environment where teams thrive.

Foster an inclusive and collaborative environment that prioritizes psychological safety, open communication, accountability and quality medical standards.

Work collaboratively with field leadership, medical leaders and medical affairs to align messaging, resources, medical training and associate development opportuniti