At Firehouse, we take our work seriously but don’t take ourselves too seriously!
We hire the brightest, most caring, experienced veterinary professionals who truly love animals and understand the human-pet bond.
What makes us different?
We have fun together each day!
We call our team “a team” because we work hard to act like one.
We know you have a life and strive for a work-life balance. And we know this helps you feel refreshed when you walk through our doors each morning.
What else?
We prioritize training in leadership, communication, and diversity to help us work together as a unit:
The Hospital Manager and Medical Director lead the team to foster good relationships and mentor individuals.
We embrace an open-door policy. Quarterly check-ins help us assess if each person’s needs are being met.
Each team member is encouraged to achieve their personal goals in education, career progression, and/or leadership.
Is there more? You bet!
We love to gather outside of work and host events that foster meaningful social connections.
Our team chooses which philanthropic activities we pursue, so there’s a personal connection to giving back to our pet nonprofits.
We onboard our new team members into the Firehouse culture during 60 days of training to teach our style, expectations, and methodologies.
We support our team in continuing their veterinary education: our doctors attend conferences, and our hospital managers attend annual leadership and communication seminars. Vet Techs and Client Service Coordinators receive support that syncs with their personal needs and goals.
We’re focused on developing leaders within our organization. We love to promote from within.
We value JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion)
Our JEDI Mission Statement is: We believe each individual has unique needs and experiences. Our culture nurtures diversity, equity, and inclusion to better serve our clients, patients, and communities by laying the groundwork to enhance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for our organization while promoting the best within each other.
We want every team member to feel like they’re part of a bigger mission, to feel empowered to carry out important tasks, to develop their own skills, and to achieve their own goals.
Our team members agree. They’ve helped us place among the top dozen companies in the Austin American-Statesman’s Top Workplaces. We’re the ONLY Austin veterinarian to make a showing!
At Firehouse, we’re like family: we truly care about each other personally and professionally.
If you’re interested in joining, contact us today!
Position Overview
As the Medical Director (MD), your responsibility is to be the general manager of the hospital, working with the Hospital Manager (HM) to tackle a wide range of sometimes difficult and complex tasks. You and the HM provide both management and leadership to the hospital team. You aid the HM and owners in determining the strategy for the hospital’s growth and development, and you lead the charge in implementing the tactics that flow from the strategic plan.
The HM – MD team creates an excellent environment for three stakeholder groups: clients, patients, and employees. This team is responsible for ensuring that the hospital provides quality patient care, excellent client service, diligent financial management, innovative marketing, effective human resources management, and other activities that support effective business operations. You will report directly to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), with accountability to the Director of Operations (DO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Responsibilities
The MD is responsible for the following. This list may be revised at any time and additional duties not listed here may be assigned as needed.
Staff Management:
- Assist the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in hiring associate veterinarians
- Assist the HM in hiring all other staff
- Conduct performance reviews for veterinarians
- Assist the HM in performance reviews for all other staff
- Disciplinary action, including termination
- Training, education, development, supervision of staff
- Maintenance of high-quality service standards
- Assist the CMO in scheduling of veterinarians
- Modify and update systems, guidelines, and procedures as needed
- Hospital policy / procedure education and compliance
- Oversee one-on-one leadership sessions / development plans for veterinarians
Client Management:
- Oversee client flow to ensure an excellent experience
- Assist HM in handling difficult client interactions
- Review and management of medical client complaints
- Ensure thorough client communication by doctors
- Oversee use of AVImark and associated technologies
Financial Management:
- Review income statements and other financial data to improve revenues and profitability
- Assist HM as needed to manage accounts receivable
- Collaborate with HM to create business plan for the year
- Work with CMO and HM to revise pricing on a regular basis
Marketing Management:
- Understand, participate and support public relations, marketing events and programs
- Assist HM in creating marketing tools and materials
- Collaborate with HM to create the marketing plan for the year
Medical Management:
- Incorporate practice medical development into doctor leadership sessions / CE plan
- Keep medical inventory aligned with Firehouse philosophy and goals
- Oversee management of medical equipment
- Work with CMO to develop strategies to support our medical philosophy
- Keep current with highest standards of medical care
Meetings:
- Schedule and manage monthly doctor meetings
- Participate in weekly HM / MD meetings
- Meet regularly with Chief Medical Officer
- Participate in monthly staff meeting
Professional Experience / Skills
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Ability to build long term relationships
- Ability to develop visionary products and services
- Comfortable in high growth environments
- Experience with or willingness to learn budgeting and financial management
- Willingness to learn management and leadership skills
- Practical experience with client relations
- Strong general medical and surgical experience
Personal Characteristics
- Strong relationship building skills
- High energy, passion, and drive to be successful
- Aptitude for technology, or willingness to learn
- An entrepreneurial mindset
- Ability to process and respond to all communication in a timely manner
- Fast learner, able to multi-task and be flexible to change
- Ability to think creatively and problem solve
- Team player who can work effectively in a fast growing, dynamic environment
Things You Need to Know
- Dependable attendance / presence at the hospital is a must
- Allergies to animals must be controllable through medication
- Moves equipment weighing up to 40 pounds
- Must be willing to work Saturday mornings and until all patients have been discharged
- Potentially subject to high noise levels, bites and scratches, and hazardous chemicals
Education
- DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree
- Training / certification in business management, HR, finance, accounting highly desirable
Compensation
- Firehouse offers a competitive salary and benefits package for full time employees. Benefits are available after 60 days.
- Salary Range: $125,000 – $200,000+ per year
