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.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:
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.
Evaluate medical equipment to ensure it aligns with current medical guidelines and standards, 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 organization 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 opportunities across groups and divisions to ensure consistent standards and Associate growth.
Serve as a key medical stakeholder within the Field Leadership team, representing medical perspectives and advancing team-based patient care.
Partner with Talent Acquisition and Field & Hospital Leadership in attracting, hiring, retaining, and developing veterinarians, with a focus on onboarding new graduates.
Identify and address medical, facility, and personnel challenges proactively and partner with Field leadership to ensure continuous improvement in Patient and Associate Safety, and Quality Medical practices.
Engage with veterinary externs in the hospital and new hires to introduce and welcome to VCA
Demonstrate leadership skills including the ability to inspire, delegate, balance stakeholders, develop talent, and drive accountability.
Doctor Development:
Inspire and empower medical teams to reach their full potential through training, career development, and engagement opportunities.
Serve as a mentor and role model to Medical Director and associate veterinarians by demonstrating professionalism, teamwork, and a strong commitment to delivering quality medical care and supporting Associate development.
Coach and guide Medical Directors and Associates on time management and efficiency, including optimized ways of working with credentialed veterinary technicians and patient care assciate team to provide exceptional client experience and patient outcomes.
Collaborate with Field and Hospital Leadership facilitate onboarding, training, mentoring and integration programs for new doctors and recent graduates, while also evaluating their progress toward achieving production goals.
Fulfill other related duties as assigned
EDUCATION/EXERIENCE:
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent from an accredited university
8+ years of relevant veterinary practice experience
4+ years of supervisory experience
License to practice veterinary medicine in each state of assigned hospitals
Specialty Board Certification in relevant specialty areas
Proficiency with electronic medical records and basic Microsoft Office tools
Ability to read, write, and speak English
Participation in national or state associations
Participation in veterinary practice organizations (AAHA, NAVAS, VECCS)
Travel to VCA hospitals, MVH hubs, Support Office and other locations is required for this position up to 75% of the time based on business needs.
All degrees will be deemed “or equivalent combination of education and experience” unless absolutely required to do the job (i.e., DVM degree for Veterinarian, Law degree for Attorney, etc.).
PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Demonstrated sound medical judgment and unwavering commitment to medical ethics and clinical excellence.
Proven ability to communicate the “why” and “how” of high-quality medicine, influencing teams through strong written, verbal, and public presentation skills.
Track record of fostering a high-performance learning culture that exceeds professional standards and advances patient care.
Strong business acumen with the ability to analyze data, leverage KPIs, and establish ROI in partnership with Operations and Medical Affairs.
Ability to prioritize competing demands, make objective decisions, and solve complex problems in a dynamic hospital environment.
Demonstrated success coaching and mentoring veterinarians, strengthening medical capabilities and expanding service offerings across a region.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Drives Results
Balances Stakeholders
Optimize Work Processes
Ensures Accountability
Develops Talent
Collaborates
Drives Vision & Purpose
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb as well as manipulate (lift, carry, and move) up to 50 pounds. Lifting higher weights requires requesting assistance from another associate.
Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm-hand-finger dexterity with the ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard and operate necessary equipment.
Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision.
Occasionally exposed to airborne particles and illness from patients and chemicals related to animal care and office equipment.
The noise level in the work environment is normally moderate.
Environment where pets are present.
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Additonal Information: Compensation is negotiable based on education, experience, and other relevant credentials. The US base salary range for this full-time position is $189,000-$218,000. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only.
If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.
Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!
The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com
