Medical Director of Companion Animal Primary Care Services

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: about 19 hours ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 30 Apr 2024

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Medical Director of Companion Animal Primary Care Services
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional Position No
Posting Number 202400297AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Management II
Number of Vacancies 1
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $150,000 - $175,000 with benefits (salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications)
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
  • For detailed benefit plan information for eligible employees, visit https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ and https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
  • For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, visit https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/ .
  • For more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in, visit https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/ .
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 04/30/2024
Description of Work Unit
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.
Improving the health of animals, people, and the planet has been central to our land-grant mission since 1883, when the first veterinary classes began at Colorado Agricultural College. Today, that vision remains at the heart of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, where we empower the next generation of leaders to change the world.
The Veterinary Health System transforms our service units into a comprehensive veterinary medical center governed by responsible management that supports our units’ individual missions. Capitalizing on Colorado State University’s top ranking in veterinary medicine, and building on our tradition of providing high-quality compassionate care and achieving outstanding clinical outcomes, the Veterinary Health System broadens our expertise and skill to deliver the highest levels of customer service, employee satisfaction, and advancements in medicine through clinical service, research, and innovation.
The mission of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital is to educate the next generation of veterinarians by providing exceptional veterinary care and service to the community every day. Our vision is to advance medicine by integrating world-class patient care with leadership in veterinary education and scientific discovery.
Why work at Colorado State University?
CSU was recently ranked first among Colorado-based educational employers and fifth among all in-state employers in Forbes magazine’s “America’s Best Employers by State!”
We are looking to add individuals to our team who have the following characteristics:
  • Confidence – they expect success in what they do
  • Compassion – they have genuine care and concern for others
  • Commitment to Inclusive Excellence – they engage principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all they do, valuing a supportive community where everyone’s contributions are valued, and all voices are heard
  • Empowerment – they use their knowledge and skills to adjust, change, and improve daily tasks/work for themselves and others
  • Integrity – they are honest, and others trust them
  • Responsibility – they take ownership of decisions and actions


Our Investment in You
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits and well-being package that supports you, your health, and your family.
These CSU resources help with many aspects of your life – financial, physical, emotional, family, workplace wellness. These resources are part of our investment in you.
Employees are benefits eligible when working a minimum of 20 hours per week; benefits outlined below reflect full-time status of 40 hours per week; some benefits would be prorated for part-time status.
  • Paid time off to include 24 vacation days, 15 sick days, 11 paid holidays annually
  • Attractive evening work schedule that is flexible yet consistent Monday-Friday
  • Comprehensive benefits programs and services including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Parental Leave, work/life resources, and more
  • Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for your overall well-being
  • FREE college credit courses (up to 9-semester credits per year) through the Employee Study Privilege program
  • Tuition Scholarships up to 50% for eligible family members
  • FREE employee growth opportunity through CSU training and development opportunities
  • After-school programs and summer camps for kids
  • Community Discounts
  • FREE MAX transit use with CSU identification

For more detail about these and other Health and Welfare benefits and Commitment to Campus programs, visit our CSU Well-Being Hub at https://hr.colostate.edu/well-being-hub/ and our Benefits programs for Administrative Professional employees: https://hr.colostate.edu/current-employees/benefits/afap/ .
Retirement Programs
While employees of CSU do not contribute to Social Security, the University and the state of Colorado offer competitive retirement plans. As a condition of employment and required by Colorado law, employees are required to participate in either the University’s Defined Contribution Plan (DCP) or the Public Employee’s Retirement Plan (PERA) of Colorado. Each plan offers a generous employer match between 10% – 21%. For more information, visit: https://hr.colostate.edu/current-employees/benefits/afap/retirement/ .
Campus Culture and Principles of Community
Colorado State University has a campus culture that is driven by a desire always to do better and a vision to be the best place to learn, work, and discover. Our Principles of Community – Inclusion, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Social Justice – reflect our core values and support CSU’s mission and vision of access, research, teaching, service, and engagement. Each member of our community has a responsibility to uphold these principles when engaging with one another and acting on behalf of the University. For more information visit: https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-people/ .
Tobacco and Smoke-Free
Colorado State University is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. For the health of our university community, the use of smoking, vaping or tobacco products is prohibited on CSU grounds or in buildings.
Position Summary
The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) at Colorado State University (CSU) is seeking a Medical Director (MD) of Companion Animal Primary Care Services. This position will be responsible for operations within the Primary Care Clinic (PCC), which is slated for completion in spring 2026, with full operational capacity starting summer 2028. The PCC is planned as a purpose built, state-of-the-art, regional companion animal primary care center designed to train veterinary students and provide a wide spectrum of veterinary care.
The PCC resides within the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH). The PCC and Animal Specialty Hospital (ASH) are major pillars of the CSU Veterinary Health System (VHS) which includes medical, clinical, diagnostic, continuing education, and other health service operations within the CVMBS. The construction of the PCC is part of the larger ~350,000 sq ft addition/renovation to the CSU south campus called the Veterinary Health and Education Complex (VHEC) project. The VHEC will include the Livestock Veterinary Services Annex (LVS), Veterinary Education Complex (VEC), and PCC, and newly renovated ASH. These four areas will join the current suite of buildings on the CSU South Campus that include the Johnson Family Equine Hospital (JFEH), Diagnostic Medical Center (DMC), and Translational Medicine Institute (TMI). This juxtaposition of educational, research, and service facilities provides a unique opportunity to advance veterinary and allied professions. A result of this expansion will be inclusion of the first- and second-year DVM students in the VHEC starting in 2026, a move from the longstanding main university campus location. With this greater community presence, the master plan for the VHEC includes the development of indoor and outdoor spaces that intentionally support a sense of engagement and wellbeing.
The PCC will be the lynchpin of the progressive new DVM curriculum that is scheduled to launch in fall of 2026. The PCC will house third- and fourth-year students as they focus their education on delivery of primary veterinary services for companion animals, including dogs, cats, and other small mammals. The PCC team will include 8 faculty members and 13 veterinary technicians, plus paraprofessional support staff. The ~12,000 ft2 facility consists of three large treatment areas, dental and surgical suites, 14 examination rooms, and round rooms and work areas for doctors, veterinary technicians, and students.
The MD of Companion Animal Primary Care Services will lead and actively contribute to this exciting next phase of growth, with the opportunity to implement the vision and promote the premier reputation of the CSU-CVMBS as a top-tier establishment. The MD will develop relationships with external entities with the goal of better serving underserved individuals within the Northern Colorado community and broadening clinical service and experiential learning opportunities for DVM students. We are seeking a dynamic, innovative, service-oriented individual with excellent leadership skills to fill this role.
The CSU College of Veterinary Medicine is ranked 2nd in the nation by US News and World Report, and 2nd for federal research funding by Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. Fort Collins is a beautiful, family-friendly, and entrepreneurial college town with a population of 160,000. Located on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains 65 miles north of Denver and with over 300 days of sunshine, Fort Collins was ranked as a “best town ever” by Outside Magazine in 2017, as the 3rd healthiest midsize city by Gallup in 2014, and America’s most satisfied city by Time Magazine in 2014.
The MD of Companion Animal Primary Care Services will formally report to the Executive Director of Clinical Services to optimize operational efficiency, manage shared resources, and ensure fiscal sustainability of the PCC. The MD will work closely with the Director of Clinical Education, who oversees the DVM clinical teaching component of primary care and specialty services. Depending on expertise and interests, the MD may have a joint faculty appointment in the Department of Clinical Sciences, in support of didactic or laboratory teaching, scholarly activity, and/or service. It is preferred that the successful candidate be eligible for a joint faculty appointment at an Associate or full Professor rank. Reporting structure and any associated responsibilities for a joint faculty appointment would be outlined in a separate MOU. The successful candidate will serve alongside MDs in Equine, Livestock, Small Animal Specialties, and Shared Clinical Services (e.g. Anesthesia, Imaging).
A combination of signing bonus and relocation expenses may be considered for successful candidates.
Required Job Qualifications
  • A DVM or equivalent veterinary degree
  • Demonstrated leadership within a primary care enterprise (minimum 5 years)
  • Demonstrated passion for, commitment to, and success in the education of veterinary students and support of their autonomy as future veterinarians.
  • Demonstrated commitment to compassionate, relationship-centered care of animals and their caregivers.
  • Strong leadership abilities including negotiation, team and consensus building, crisis- management, and complex problem-solving.
  • Organizational management knowledge with personal examples of application
  • Demonstrated positive and productive verbal and written communication skills.
  • Commitment to developing an inclusive hospital environment and experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Associate or Full Professor (or eligibility in order to hold a joint faculty appointment)
  • Advanced training and/or board certification with ABVP or ACVPM
  • Demonstrated business acumen and proficiency in practice management.
  • Experience in philanthropy and/or donor relations
  • Effectiveness in partnering with community leaders in providing veterinary services to underserved individuals.
  • Engagement with the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges Primary Care Veterinary Educators (PCVE) program.
Diversity Statement
Personal or professional commitment to diversity and inclusion as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity and inclusion outcomes.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Administration
Duty/Responsibility
This position will provide guidance and support to Primary Care Clinic (PCC) faculty and staff; promote advancements in medical care and education by evaluating health education literature and outcomes of services provided; develop external partnerships in support of community service and student learning; achieve hospital financial and operational targets; and foster a culture of collegiality and teamwork. Specific responsibilities of this position include the following:
  • PCC Operations
    • Operationalize the PCC , building upon and enhancing the established Community Practice Service.
    • Oversee the establishment, implementation, and monitoring of clinical guidelines, standard operating procedures/practice protocols, in-house referrals, interventions, and advancements.
    • Build appropriate frameworks of accountability and decision-making that will facilitate the mission of the Primary Care Service.
    • Establish and facilitate internal collaborations, particularly with services within the ASH.
    • Build and maintain a productive and safe working environment.
    • Lead by example in development of interpersonal and values-related behaviors required to build and maintain a positive culture in the PCC, as well as coach and mentor others regarding these behavioral goals.

  • Internal Relations
    • Advocate for clinical educator and technician needs within the PCC and be a voice for staff when challenges arise.
    • Work closely with academic department chairs and unit directors, administrative staff, CVMBS development officers, faculty and staff committees, and veterinary advisory groups to create an environment supportive of the high-quality professional goals and services supported by the VHS.
    • Engage in PCC business development and engage with university advancement for philanthropic support.
    • Work closely with the business officers and Executive Director of Clinical Services to ensure the financial success of the PCC.
  • External Relations
    • Develop and sustain external companion animal primary care experiences.
    • Engage in community outreach to expand and develop services for underserved populations.
    • Build relationships and liaise with regional veterinary clinics and other primary care enterprises to establish, expand, and evaluate external training opportunities.
    • Represent companion animal primary care services via participation in external and internal committees and working groups.
  • Departmental and Educational Support
    • Provide input into clinical educator evaluations and provide guidance, development, and support for direct reports and associated PCC clinical educators and staff.
    • Partner with the Executive Director of Clinical Services and the Director of Clinical Education to determine faculty effort required within the PCC, assess the performance of clinical teaching faculty within the PCC, and support faculty recruitment and retention efforts.
    • Liaise with the Curriculum Renewal Committee and the Director of Clinical Education to expand and operationalize the primary care curriculum.
Percentage Of Time 70%
Job Duty Category Clinical Service
Duty/Responsibility
  • Provide clinical instruction and support to third- and fourth-year DVM students as they participate in the PCC practicum for eight (8) weeks per year.
  • Provide timely, individualized, and actionable student evaluations and point-in-time feedback.
  • Provide in-the-moment communication coaching during veterinary student-client interactions.
  • Provide feedback during video review rounds.
Percentage Of Time 20%
Job Duty Category Didactic Teaching, Scholarly Activity, and/or Service
Duty/Responsibility
  • In concert with the hiring authority and depending upon the interest and qualifications of the candidate, remaining effort may be distributed towards didactic or laboratory teaching, research/scholarly activity, and/or service.
  • Position description will be updated upon negotiation and confirmation of hire.
Percentage Of Time 10%

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
This position will remain open until filled, however, for full consideration, please apply by 11:59 PM MT on April 30, 2024.
Interested applicants must submit a cover letter that addresses how professional experiences align with the required and preferred qualifications, a current resume, and the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references. Optional documents to upload may be appropriate certifications, licenses, or other documents appropriate to the nature of this position. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates. If you have questions, please contact Shevaun Festervand at [email protected].
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Similar Positions