Veterinarian - Area Chief of Staff

MARS Veterinary; Garfield (NJ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Generous 401(k) and Roth plans with company match

Paid Time Off and holidays

Continuing Education Allowance

Job summary

VCA Inc. is seeking an Area Chief of Staff in New Jersey to lead and manage veterinarians, ensuring they deliver quality care and meet performance metrics across hospitals. This role requires a strong commitment to quality standards and involves driving initiatives to foster a positive work environment.

Ideal candidates will hold a DVM, have extensive veterinary experience, and a proactive approach in engaging both staff and clients. A comprehensive benefits package is offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of small animal medicine and surgery practice experience.
• Valid veterinary license or eligibility for licensure in applicable state boards.
• Surgical skills to perform all basic surgeries.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage associate veterinarians in hospitals.
• Drive doctor engagement and retention.
• Ensure compliance with Banfield’s clinical essentials.

Skills

Leadership

Conflict Management

Effective Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) or equivalent

Job description

Area Chief of Staff

Pay range: $150,000 - $180,000 annually. Variable pay is available in all states except Puerto Rico. The final rate is determined by experience, skill level, abilities, education, location, and schedule.

Job Purpose and Function

The Area Chief of Staff leads, develops, and manages associate veterinarians in their hospitals to ensure Banfield attracts, engages, and retains doctors who deliver quality care and meet performance metrics. The position drives a culture of quality care across Veterinary Provider Teams (DVM, CVT, VA) in assigned hospitals, ensuring every pet receives consistent care aligned with Banfield’s six domains of quality: safe, effective, patient/client‑centered, timely, efficient, and equitable care.

Essential Responsibilities

• Live and exemplify the Five Principles of Mars, Inc. within the team.
• Act as Responsible Veterinarian for Veterinary and Pharmacy Board Permits, as required by law.
• Own and manage the controlled substance inventory for relief doctors.
• Drive doctor engagement and retention by assessing risk, implementing proactive strategies, and fostering a supportive community.
• Provide medical leadership to hospital teams, creating an inclusive and collaborative work environment in partnership with practice managers.
• Validate the clinical skillset of doctors, veterinarians, assistants, and technicians through record reviews, quality assignments, audits, and patient‑safety event reviews.
• Perform veterinary services; the amount of clinical time depends on hospitals, direct reports, and productivity.
• Oversee the coaching program for newly hired veterinarians, ensuring knowledge of Banfield quality standards, Optimum Wellness Plans, and workflows.
• Recruit veterinary talent in collaboration with the Director of Veterinary Quality and Talent Acquisition.
• Serve as a brand ambassador in the local veterinary community.
• Deliver an excellent experience to student externs, student job participants, and candidates during hospital observations.
• Help doctors achieve productivity goals through high‑quality medicine, preventive care focus, and client experience partnership.
• Deliver veterinary operations KPIs of assigned hospitals through leadership and partnership with practice managers.
• Create and revise plans to achieve targeted KPIs and OGSM performance.
• Develop a veterinary leadership bench and succession plan for the hospital pod.
• Ensure compliance with Banfield’s clinical essentials, regulations, and industry standards through assessments, record reviews, audits, and safety reviews.
• Maintain hospitalization operation compliance with controlled substance management and radiation safety.
• Create and execute timely plans to resolve gaps.
• Champion preventive‑care culture and a “say‑yes” culture to improve client service and scorecard goals.
• Resolve client complaints related to medical standard of care.
• Manage medical equipment inventory and new equipment requests.
• Deliver the highest level of veterinary care with a professional and ethical approach.
• Establish client trust through preventive care, diagnostic workups, thorough treatment plans, home‑care instructions, and follow‑up visits.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

The Five Principles

• Quality – the consumer is our boss, and quality is our work.
• Responsibility – total responsibility for ourselves and support for others.
• Mutuality – a shared benefit that endures.
• Efficiency – use resources fully and act only where best.
• Freedom – freedom to shape our future and profit to remain free.

Hiring Qualifications / Competencies

• Leadership – plans, aligns, drives vision.
• Talent Development – attracts, communicates, and drives results.
• Conflict Management – ensures accountability.
• Financial Acumen – manages complexity.
• Functional Management – attracts top talent.
• Effective Communication – drives results.
• Technical Skills – functional excellence.

Capabilities and Experience (Can Do)

• Ability to multi‑task and shift attention accurately.
• Organizational ability to cut through chaos.
• Surgical skills – performs all basic surgeries with standard instruments.
• Problem‑solving – identifies, analyzes, and provides practical solutions.
• Intellectual ability – follows instructions consistently.
• Mathematical ability – performs calculations, ratio, percent, unit conversions.
• Computer skills – confident use of specialized software.

Attitudes (Will Do)

• Initiative – uses discretion to find solutions.
• Additional responsibility – seeks valuable work during low demand.
• Integrity – adheres to Banfield values and ethics.
• Cooperativeness – collaborates and shares information.
• Flexibility – open to changing situations and performs tasks assigned.
• Independence – performs duties without supervision.
• Stress Resilience – maintains a positive outlook and composure under stress.

Special Working Conditions

Requires long periods at a computer; work may exceed 40 hours to meet essential duties. Must have strong reasoning, reading, writing, and speaking English. Requires ambulation skills for hospital duties, including standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Visual acuity, hand‑eye coordination, and finger dexterity are required. Clean and moderate noise levels. Exposure to pets, anesthesia, radiation, biological hazards, and controlled substances. Some travel may be required.

Experience, Education, and Training

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) or equivalent foreign degree.
• Valid veterinary license or eligibility for licensure in all applicable state boards.
• Minimum 3 years of small animal medicine and surgery practice experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Generous 401(k) and Roth plans with company match.
• Best‑in‑Class Student Debt Relief Program for full‑time DVMs.
• Paid Time Off and holidays.
• Top‑Tier Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources.
• Associate Life Insurance (company‑paid) and supplemental life insurance.
• Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability (company‑paid).
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Paid Parental Leave for birth and adoption.
• Continuing Education Allowance for eligible positions.
• Back‑Up Child and Elder Care & Family Support Resources.
• Fertility and Family Building Support.
• Digital Exercise Therapy program.
• Voluntary Protection Benefits.
• Legal Plan covering a wide range of legal needs.
• Identity Protection support.
• Commuter Benefits.
• Three free Optimum Wellness Plans for pets.
• Exclusive discounts on products and services.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Banfield Pet Hospital is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, veteran status, or disability status. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination.