Small Animal Hospitalist - Inpatient Medicine and Clinical Teaching

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Job Opportunity

Posted Job Title: Small Animal Hospitalist - Inpatient Medicine and Clinical Teaching Job Profile Title: Staff Veterinarian

Job Description Summary

The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine is seeking a Small Animal Hospitalist to support inpatient care and clinical teaching at the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital.

This role provides daily oversight of hospitalized ward patients, mentors veterinary students on the Patient Care rotation, and collaborates closely with specialty services to ensure continuity, safety, and efficiency of inpatient care.

The Hospitalist serves as a central clinical resource within the hospital, supporting nursing teams, facilitating communication across services, and helping maintain high standards of patient care within one of the nation's busiest academic veterinary hospitals.

Job Responsibilities

• Patient Care Rotation Director • Provide direct supervision and mentorship to veterinary students on the Patient Care rotation. • Ensure students understand and fulfill their responsibilities as primary caregivers under appropriate medical oversight. • Foster clinical reasoning, accountability, and professional growth. • Collaborate with clinical services and academic leadership to align ward workflow with curricular objectives. • Provide formative feedback and participate in student evaluation.

• Inpatient Medical Oversight • Serve as the designated medical advisor for the wards. • Conduct daily rounds on ward patients in collaboration with primary and specialty services. • Review, clarify, and update treatment plans in coordination with attending clinicians. • Review Instinct treatment sheets for accuracy, clarity, and safety. • Provide timely medical decision-making for routine and intermediate patient care issues within established protocols. • Identify early clinical deterioration and escalate care appropriately. • Monitor adherence to hospital protocols, documentation standards, and patient safety practices. • Promote continuity of care and reduce communication gaps between services.

• Nursing Support & Clinical Education • Serve as an on-site medical resource for nursing staff for routine inpatient care questions. • Provide just-in-time teaching and ongoing clinical education to support nursing excellence. • Ensure appropriate escalation of complex medical decisions to attending clinicians. • Support a collaborative, respectful, and psychologically safe team environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications • DVM or VMD degree • 3-5 years of clinical experience in small animal medicine, emergency, critical care, or inpatient hospital practice • Demonstrated proficiency in small animal inpatient medicine • Strong communication and interpersonal skills • Demonstrated commitment to patient safety and collaborative practice

• Preferred Qualifications • Completion of a small animal rotating internship • Prior experience in an academic teaching hospital or high-volume referral hospital • Experience supervising veterinary students or house officers • Demonstrated interest in medical education • Interest in protocol development, quality improvement, or patient safety initiatives

Position Details

• Primarily weekday daytime schedule; may include rotating weekends and holidays as needed to support inpatient services
• No primary responsibility for outpatient appointments
• Reports to: Hospital Director
• Comprehensive university benefits package
• Targeted Pay Range: $130,000 - $140,000

University Benefits

The University of Pennsylvania offers a wide range of benefits to its employees, including:

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penns exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, youll find great deals for University faculty and staff.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay