Job Description

Director, Quality and Operations

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) is western Canada\'s regional college of veterinary medicine. It is part of a comprehensive academic health sciences group on the university campus, with access to facilities including the Canadian Light Source and the Biomedical Beamline and Saskatchewan Centre for Cyclotron Sciences, VIDO. For further information, please visit https://wcvm.usask.ca

The Veterinary Medical Centre at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine is a state-of-the-art facility serving western Canada as an AVMA and AAHA accredited clinic and referral centre.

The University of Saskatchewan\'s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the M\xc3\xa9tis. The University of Saskatchewan is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a city with a diverse and thriving economic base, a vibrant arts community and a full range of leisure opportunities. The University has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and scholarly activities and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of over 24,000.

Primary Purpose:The Director is responsible for ensuring all aspects of quality, excellence, risk reduction and safety in finance, business and operations, are managed within the Veterinary Medical Centre (VMC), supporting the mission of the WCVM of patient care, student learning and discovery.

The Director, Quality & Operations, provides leadership, direction, and oversight for services provided by the Manager, Client Experience and the Manager, Business, Finance & Support Services.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this position is a key member of the Veterinary Medical Centre Senior Leadership Team. This position requires strong relationship building skills, strong knowledge of hospital care as it relates to patient care equipment, supplies and budgeting, excellent judgment and discretionary decision-making skills.
The work is high volume and decisions being made range from mundane to critical. A high level of adaptability is required for continuous planning, dealing with multiple projects and competing deadlines. This position will be subject to frequent interruptions, unpleasant odors, and veterinary hospital dress code. Some heavy lifting may be required.

Located at the WCVM, the VMC is a premiere 24/7 emergency referral and primary care center that provides quality care and specialized services for a wide range of animal species. The VMC admits over 17,000 cases annually, including referral cases from veterinarians across Western Canada. The environment is fast paced and dynamic, therefore the Director must be able to balance competing priorities and projects. The incumbent will be required to deal with sensitive and emotional situations that require tact and confidentiality.

Accountabilities

Operational Oversight:

• Responsibility for the operational oversight of functional services provided by departments within the portfolio.
• Ongoing partnership and collaboration with the Director of Health Services and entire management team is essential for the successful integration of service delivery.

Leadership:

• Develop, implement and provide ongoing evaluation of learning and quality of care standards environment, which supports the college\'s mission of student learning, patient care and discovery;

• Achieve the outcomes of the VMC by collaborating with, encouraging, supporting, coaching, developing and mentoring others who may or may not have formal reporting responsibilities to the position;
• Model a high standard of performance and professionalism. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in formal and informal teams with people across the different functions of the VMC, which include administrative departments, faculty, interns and residents, and other departments within the WCVM;

• Collaborate with VMC leadership, WCVM leadership, Faculty, and Strategic Business Advisors.

Teaching, Mentoring:

• Ensure managers closely collaborate with the Associate Dean Clinical Programs and Student Services to ensure operational services align with 4th year teaching schedules;
• Measure skill development to support clinical teaching, mentoring of DVM and Veterinary Technology students within the operational support staff.

Strategy:

• With the COO, for strategic people planning and budgetary planning of annual and future goals in operational alignment in the mission of patient care, teaching and discovery;
• Collaborate as a member of the senior leadership team; the director assists to update and plan budget for strategic direction, optimizing the operational plan for clinical care excellence;
• Create and implement long and short-term strategies for new and emerging practice of new equipment and supplies for quality patient care outcomes;

• Monitor user satisfaction outcomes of new equipment and/or supplies;
• Represent the VMC on committees and strategy teams for high-level programs and projects.
• Collaborative lead to receive research applications for review and approval as appropriate.

People Resources:

• Lead and ensure recruitment, orientation, training, coaching, disciplinary action, and development activities with VMC staff to build and maintain a productive and effective team;

• Advise managers on policy, new initiatives and emerging challenges;
• In partnership with other senior leaders, lead annual strategic planning and people planning;
• Promote and nurture a culture of diversity, collegiality, and acceptance with the VMC, WCVM, and university.

Administration:

• Work with managers, to ensure staffing and operations budget is on target;

• Develop, implement, evaluate and amend procedures and policies related to the efficient and effective operation of the VMC, in relation to its mission of patient care, student learning and discovery and professional and/or regulatory standards;
• Have or acquire knowledge of hospital operations and standards;
• Manage the department budget, which includes setting and adjusting staffing requirements to meet the needs of the hospital from a patient care and student learning standpoint;
• Minimize exposure to risk by ensuring policies, procedures are followed.

Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor degree in Business, Finance or a related discipline is required. and/or post graduate degrees in leadership or healthcare administration would be an asset. Certification in Supply Chain Management (SCMP) would be an asset. A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience: Minimum eight to ten years of proven successful experience in a leadership role, preferably within the veterinary or health care field. Experience in hospital administration, budget preparation for annual and multi year and analysis and reporting on financial data. Experience in quality control measures for ensuing standards would be an asset. Must have experience working in and promoting a diverse and inclusive environment.

Department: Veterinary Medical Centre
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: Exempt
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $88,740.00 - 148,665.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable):
Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 4
Posted Date: 9/13/2023
Closing Date: 8/9/2023 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where \'Yes\' is indicated below. Further information is available at:

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver\'s License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable

Please review the University of Saskatchewan\'s for faculty, staff and students in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan\'s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the M\xc3\xa9tis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and M\xc3\xa9tis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.

University of Saskatchewan