Criticalist (DACVECC or Residency-Trained) | Portland, Oregon

Sunstone Veterinary Specialists; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 225,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

FSA

EAP

4 weeks vacation

CE allowance

Job summary

Sunstone Veterinary Specialists, a Portland, Oregon-based specialty and emergency hospital, seeks a board-certified or residency-trained Criticalist to join our independently owned team. The role offers a guaranteed salary with a growth plan, a $50,000 signing bonus, relocation support, and a four-day workweek in a collaborative setting.

You’ll work alongside a multidisciplinary team and have input into the development of the critical care service, protocols, and mentorship programs while

Qualifications

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree.
• Board-certified (DACVECC) or residency-trained in Emergency and Critical Care.
• Eligible for veterinary licensure in Oregon.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level emergency and critical care medicine.
• Mentor ER veterinarians and interns in a teaching hospital.
• Collaborate with Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Clinical Nutrition for complex cases.
• Help shape critical care protocols and service growth.

Education

DVM or equivalent veterinary degree

Board-certified in Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC) or Residency-trained

Job description

Criticalist (DACVECC or Residency-Trained) | Portland, Oregon

Sunstone Veterinary Specialists | Portland, Oregon

$225K Guaranteed – Salaried Position | $50K Sign-On | Four-Day Week | 4 Weeks PTO

Want to practice high-level emergency and critical care medicine while helping shape what comes next?

Sunstone Veterinary Specialists is seeking a board-certified or residency-trained Criticalist to join our independently owned specialty and emergency hospital in Portland, Oregon.

This is a chance to step into an established specialty hospital with a growing ER service - and have a meaningful voice in how critical care develops, without layers of corporate oversight between an idea and a decision.

The Numbers

• Earning potential: Starting salary of $225,000 with a defined compensation growth plan as the ER team and service expand.
• Compensation structure: Guaranteed salary recognizing patient care, clinical oversight, mentorship, and team development.
• Compensation growth: Specific salary increases tied to agreed milestones for sustained staffing, expanded coverage, and leadership responsibilities, documented in the employment agreement.
• Signing bonus: $50,000
• Relocation: Up to $15,000, separate from the signing bonus.
• Schedule: A defined clinical schedule with protected paid time for mentorship, protocols, and service. development. Four-day workweek.
• After-hours expectations: Any overnight coverage or on-call responsibilities will be defined before hire.
• PTO: 4 weeks paid vacation

The Opportunity

You will not be building this alone.

Sunstone has been caring for patients in Portland since 2015, and we expanded into Emergency Services in 2023. Since then, our ER has grown into a cohesive department with a steady but sustainable caseload. You’ll work alongside Emergency Veterinarians and specialists in Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Clinical Nutrition, supported by experienced technicians, veterinary assistants, referral coordinators, and onsite hospital leadership.

Our hospital is equipped with CT, endoscopy, digital radiography, ultrasound, dedicated surgical suites, and advanced diagnostic and monitoring equipment to support complex and critically ill patients.

For the right Criticalist, this role offers both clinical depth and the opportunity to shape what comes next: practice thoughtful, high-level ECC medicine while helping define the next phase of our critical care service.

What You Could Help Build

• Current ECC resources: Standard equipment for internal medicine, surgery and emergency receiving. Some additional equipment and resources will be needed and guided by the candidate. This will be determined prior to start date.
• Clinical support: A strong emergency team that is eager to continue growing into critical care medicine, supported by three Internal Medicine Specialists, two Surgeons, and a Clinical Nutritionist. Our specialty teams work collaboratively and are excited to partner with a Criticalist whose expertise would complement the care they provide every day and help strengthen our growing Emergency and Critical Care service.
• Service development: Help recruit and mentor ER veterinarians, strengthen intern training and inpatient care, and develop critical protocols alongside hospital leadership.
• Teaching and mentorship: Internship and residency programs make questions, teaching, and knowledge-sharing part of daily practice.
• Cross-service collaboration: Direct access to Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Clinical Nutrition for complex case management.
• A real voice: Independent ownership allows us to adapt quickly as clinical needs and opportunities evolve.

“It's a pleasure to work with people who love medicine, who love to learn, and who love helping pet owners.”

- Joshua Elliott, DVM, DACVIM, Co-Founder & CMO

About You

You are board-certified in Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC) or have completed Emergency and Critical Care residency training. You value thoughtful medicine, collaborative case management, communication, and a workplace where people treat one another with respect.

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree
• Board-certified (DACVECC) or residency-trained in Emergency and Critical Care
• Eligible for veterinary licensure in Oregon

The Team You'll Join

You will be joining a highly experienced, collaborative team of 11 veterinarians, supported by 11 full-time licensed technicians, 15 veterinary assistants, and 10 referral coordinators.

• Dr. Joshua M. Elliott (Davis, 2004)
• Dr. Logan Boyle (St. George's, 2020)
• Dr. Debra Klaser-McGarvey (Georgia, 2000)
• Dr. Cristal Carey (Colorado, 2019)
• Dr. Staci Goussev (Cornell, 2009)
• Dr. Anthony Cervantes (RDSVS, 2020)
• Dr. Josh Sarrazin (Oregon, 2023)
• Dr. Dana Sheets-Nichols (Ross, 2026)
• Dr. Taryn Pestalozzi (Oregon, 2013)
• Dr. Danielle Watt (Iowa, 2022)
• Dr. Courtney Gallant (Atlantic (AVC), 2020)

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA), life insurance, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 4 weeks paid vacation
• CE allowance: $5,000 annually plus four paid CE days, separate from vacation.
• License, PLIT, DEA, and association fees covered
• SIMPLE IRA with employer match up to 3%
• Professional development, mentorship, teaching, and leadership growth opportunities
• Uniform allowance and staff discounts on veterinary services

Why Sunstone?

We're big enough to practice sophisticated medicine - and small enough that you know the people you’re working with.

We are independently owned. Decisions are made here, by people who actually work in the hospital. That gives the right Criticalist room to influence clinical systems, teaching, and service growth in a practical way.

Our goal is straightforward: excellent medicine, exceptional personal care, a strong team, and a sustainable life outside of work.

Living in Portland

Portland offers easy access to the Oregon Coast, Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, wine country, and year-round outdoor recreation - along with the food, arts, neighborhoods, and airport access of a major city. It is a place where it is possible to build a full life outside the hospital, too.