Manager, Health Services and Operations, Veterinary Medical Centre

Primary Purpose: As the Manager at the Veterinary Medical Centre (VMC), you will play a crucial role in overseeing and ensuring excellence in patient care services, aligning with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) mission of excellence in patient care, student learning, and discovery. Nature of Work: Reporting to the Director – Health Services, Quality and Safety Operations, you will be a key member of the VMC Management team, responsible for managing operations and strategic direction in your assigned areas of responsibility. You will collaborate closely with VMC leadership, clinicians, interns, residents, student services, and strategic business advisors. The role demands a high level of adaptability for critical decision-making, continuous planning, and managing multiple projects with competing deadlines. Located at the WCVM, the VMC serves as a premier 24/7 emergency referral and primary care center, delivering high-quality care and specialized services for various animal species. In this fast-paced and dynamic environment, you will balance diverse priorities and projects, often navigating sensitive and confidential situations with empathy and professionalism. Accountabilities People Resources Work with VMC managers on recruitment, orientation, training, retention, and hiring of summer students and volunteers, fostering a culture of diversity, collegiality, and inclusion across the VMC, WCVM, and university community. Manage coaching, disciplinary actions, and ongoing staff development to foster a productive team environment. Represent the VMC at job fairs and recruitment events for Veterinary Technology and Animal Health Science programs. Advise on policies, spearhead new initiatives, and tackle operational challenges to promote team success and growth. Contribute to strategic planning efforts to enhance team effectiveness and organizational success. Administration Monitor and manage resources (including budget responsibilities) to ensure operational efficiency. Take a lead role, along with the Director, in championing a safe and healthy work environment, actively supporting OH S responsibilities and collaborating with the local safety committee. Ensure compliance with university policies and procedures through effective collaboration with the management team. Pursue continuous self-development in supervision, management, and leadership to drive personal and organizational growth. Care Services: Support large animal services, radiology, and select small animal services (ICU, Triage, and wards) with a strong teamwork mentality, adaptable to changing portfolios. Establish and uphold evidence-based leading practices in patient care standards. Serve as the primary clinical resource lead across all hospital services. Lead the VMC Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPAC), overseeing surveillance and chairing the IPAC Committee. Collaborate extensively with VMC and WCVM leadership, Faculty, and Strategic Business Advisors to drive healthcare excellence. Teaching Mentoring: Collaborate closely with the Associate Dean of Clinical Programs and Student Services to align clinical services with 4th-year teaching schedules. Drive skill development within RVT staff to effectively mentor DVM and Veterinary Technology students in clinical settings (in partnership with Saskatchewan Polytechnic). Qualifications Education Experience: An undergraduate degree or equivalent is preferred; a combination of education and experience will be considered. Minimum 5 years of leadership experience, including 2-4 years managing technical and/or professional support staff. Clinical experience in a veterinary or healthcare setting would be considered an asset. Proven experience in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment is essential. Skills: Demonstrated leadership: lead, engage, manage, support, evaluate, and direct others' work. Knowledge of University, WCVM, and VMC policies for sound decision-making. Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written). Initiative, tact, diplomacy, discretion, and confidentiality. Quality control and assurance expertise. Effective management, organization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team. Sound judgment and strategic goal alignment. Proficient in computer applications. Motivated, flexible leadership with strategic thinking and creative problem-solving. Commitment to evidence-based decisions and quality. Why Join Us? Impact: Lead and innovate in patient care and education within a renowned veterinary medical center. Development: Grow professionally in a supportive environment committed to continuous learning and leadership. Community: Join a dedicated team passionate about advancing veterinary medicine and student success. Apply now and join us in shaping the future of veterinary care and education! If you're reading this job description and feeling excited, we encourage you to apply—even if you don’t feel that you meet every single requirement. We value diversity and are excited to meet individuals who share our mission and can contribute to our team in various capacities, beyond just ticking boxes. At VMC, we prioritize authenticity. We want people to feel comfortable expressing their true selves and to come, stay, and do their best work here.