Emergency Medical Director

Olympia Pet Emergency; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing, retention, and relocation packages up to $75,000

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Team Member Pet Discounts

Paid Parental Leave

Job summary

A leading veterinary emergency service in Olympia, WA, is looking for a skilled Emergency Veterinarian to lead as a Medical Director. Responsibilities include ensuring high standards of veterinary care, mentoring staff, and maintaining team dynamics. The role requires excellent communication skills, strong diagnostic abilities, and a commitment to improving animal health. Benefits include substantial financial packages, insurance, and a focus on well-being. This is an outstanding opportunity to make a positive impact in emergency veterinary medicine.

Qualifications

• Veterinarian degree (DVM or VMD) required.
• Must have completed a 1-year rotational internship.
• Strong diagnostic and clinical skills are essential.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in teams.
• Current State Veterinary License is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Oversee veterinary care and ensure medical standards.
• Manage and mentor associate veterinarians.
• Handle client communication and complaints.
• Develop medical policies and maintain regulatory compliance.
• Manage staff performance and conduct regular meetings.

Skills

Diagnostic skills

Clinical skills

Surgical skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Veterinarian degree (DVM or VMD)

1-year rotational internship

3-year AVMA approved specialty

Job description

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

We are seeking a compassionate and skilled Emergency Veterinarian to lead our team as a Medical Director. The ideal candidate will be passionate about providing high-quality veterinary care and possess excellent communication skills to build lasting relationships with our clients. You will work alongside a team of experienced veterinarians, technicians, and support staff and will work closely with the Hospital Manager and Regional Manager.

As a Medical Director at our 24‑hour ER facility you will work 4 mixed day and swing shifts per week. OPE backs you up with a highly trained support team, wonderful pet owners, and colleagues who welcome the chance to discuss and learn from difficult cases. We are an AAHA‑accredited emergency facility and are currently working to become a VECCS‑certified hospital. We are leaders in the field of emergency veterinary medicine and we’re proud of our compassionate, collaborative, and trustworthy approach to veterinary care.

Olympia, WA and the surrounding area is an amazing place to live. You have the opportunity to live close to the city and enjoy the aspects of city life. Or, you can drive less than 30 minutes and live in the country. If you love the outdoors, the Pacific Northwest has everything right at your fingertips. You are approximately one hour from both the ocean and the mountains. Hike our dog friendly trails, visit the Olympia Farmer’s Market, and shop & dine in the historic downtown district.

• The Specialty Medical Director (SMD) is responsible for providing strong leadership for the hospital, managing and mentoring associate veterinarians, and assuring regulatory compliance relating to the practice of veterinary medicine. The SMD is also responsible for maintaining an environment of teamwork in which the highest quality veterinary medicine is delivered. In partnership with the hospital leadership team, the SMD holds shared responsibility for the financial health of the hospital, directing staff and the overall management of practice operations. The SMD also serves as a staff veterinarian in addition to the administrative and leadership duties of the SMD role. Effective SMDs demonstrate strong work and professional ethics, a positive attitude, and uphold a high standard of patient care. They are part of the foundation upon which successful veterinary practices are built and directly impact and influence hospital culture and morale.

Ready to take the next step? Apply today! For questions or to connect directly, please email your resume to Julia Stephens.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintaining a high quality of progressive veterinary care
  • Oversees and gives directives regarding medical standards and quality of care
  • Sets policies as they pertain to the practice of medicine
  • Works toward making various services work as one team
  • In conjunction with appropriate leadership team members, recommends additions to the hospital inventory
  • Budgets for new equipment and provides a reasonable cost estimate and return on investment
  • Sees patients and handles clinical practice
  • Ensures positive communication with clients and between doctors, including the proper transfer of patient care responsibilities
  • Reviews patient records for completeness and accuracy and uses them to promote medical excellence
  • Appropriately manages controlled drugs
  • Reviews and approves requests for alternatives to additional drugs and medical supplies
  • Conducts regular doctor meetings
  • Performs other duties as assigned by Manager
• Handles patient care problems, client complaints, and referral partner issues
• Manages veterinary, client, and board complaints and recommends resolutions
• Develops medical policies
• Assists in ensuring practice compliance with the State Veterinary Medical Practice Act, OSHA, and AAHA standards
• Monitors DVM performance and production, provides coaching when appropriate
• Serves as a mentor and role model for all staff veterinarians
• Leads candidate interviews of potential DVMs
• Identifies new service opportunities that do not currently exist in the hospital
• Holds ownership for the revenue and success of the practice through monitoring key performance indicators and works with the Hospital Manager to make adjustments to achieve positive results
• Helps identify and plan for upcoming challenges in maintaining hospital operations and possible temporary solutions (locum)

Qualifications (Required)

• Veterinarian degree (DVM or VMD) from an accredited college or university
• 1-year rotational internship in small animal medicine, surgery, ER (university or large referral practice).
• Completed a 3-year, AVMA approved specialty in a clinical specialty.
• Achieved board certification in the chosen specialty (ABVP, CCRP, and Acupuncture do not count as they don’t require 3-year residencies).
• Current State Veterinary License
• DEA registration must be obtained and maintained
• Strong diagnostic and clinical skills.
• Excellent surgical and dental skills.
• Ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to providing compassionate and high-quality veterinary care.
• Excellent Communication Skills and the ability to communicate effectively, efficiently, and in a timely manner with all members of the Medical and Hospital staff.
• Client communication skills, must be able to elicit information, establish rapport, offer explanations with pet owners.
• Display confidence and reassurance when dealing with pets experiencing severe stress, illness, or pain.
• May include some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work.
• Position does require the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• 3-5 years of clinical experience post-residency
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent time-management and delegation abilities
• Exercises sound judgment and demonstrates exemplary decision-making skills
• Professionalism and courtesy in all interactions with others
• Well-developed interpersonal skills

What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

• Signing, retention and relocation packages up to $75,000
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE stipends and career development resources
• Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources

Pay Range

$200,000 — $225,000 USD

At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.

Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you’re providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.

You care for pets. We care for you.

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

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