Hospital Leader on Duty

Position Purpose The Hospital Leader On Duty provides excellent veterinary care to full‑service hospital patients and phenomenal customer care to their owners. The role represents Petco’s mission and values to all pets and pet parents, sets the tone with technical and customer support partners in the hospital, and is responsible for fostering cohesion and motivation within the team. Essential Job Functions Greet clients and patients arriving for appointments, escort them into an exam room, obtain weight and vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations, pain score, body condition score) and record them in the electronic medical record. Collect thorough patient histories and document the visit in the EMRs. Assist doctors with routine and emergency appointments, surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia under supervision from the veterinarian and credentialed Veterinary Technicians. Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications as directed by the veterinarian, and help maintain the electronic medical record. Monitor and answer telephone lines, route calls appropriately, schedule appointments, provide client education, relay test results to the doctor and clients, and maintain/update client/patient records. Help prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures and assist the doctor or veterinary technician with anesthesia. Under supervision, maintain patients safely under anesthesia while monitoring vital parameters, monitor patients during recovery, and prepare them for discharge or transfer to an overnight care facility. Under supervision, perform in‑hospital treatments for sick patients, including injectable and oral medications and intravenous fluid therapy. Keep patients clean, watered, and fed when directed by the doctor, and walk canine patients for elimination when necessary. Train new staff members and disseminate knowledge as required. Keep the hospital environment neat and clean; perform regular cleaning based on necessity and a pre‑determined maintenance schedule. Handle inventory ordering, scheduling, and other tasks as empowered in the hospital. Monitor and manage the practice phone, routing calls appropriately. Schedule appointments for callers or visitors to the practice when necessary. Monitor wait times and accommodate as necessary during peak periods or when medical staff are handling emergencies. Uphold and enforce all Petco and Vetco Total Care policies. Oversee hospital operations and supervise paraprofessional staff. Participate again in the training of new staff members and dissemination of knowledge. Nature of Supervision All patient and client care activities are conducted under direct supervision from the Area Operations Manager. Supervisory Responsibility This position has immediate daily supervisory duties over paraprofessional partners. Education / Experience Preferred: at least one year of prior experience in a veterinary practice or sufficient experience to perform the above skills. Must have leadership capabilities. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must be compassionate and sympathetic, maintaining a professional attitude and demeanor during emotional and stressful situations. Must have telephone and computer skills. Must be a team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change. Work Environment The majority of duties occur in the Veterinary Hospital, requiring bending, kneeling, lifting up to 30 pounds, and standing for extended periods. A large portion of time is spent in direct contact with clients and pets. Contacts This position regularly communicates with clients, service teams, and management in both Vetco Total Care Hospitals and Pet Care Centers. Benefits For a detailed overview of benefits—including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO—visit Equal Opportunity Employer Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification. #J-18808-Ljbffr Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.