Medical Director Veterinarian

NCVMA; Scottsdale (AZ); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus and relocation

CE allowance and leadership training

Health, dental, vision insurance

Paid time off

Pet discounts

Job summary

Desert Tails Animal Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ seeks a Medical Director to lead medical standards, mentor veterinarians, and partner with leadership to advance patient care. You’ll stay hands-on in clinical practice while shaping hospital culture.

The role emphasizes collaboration, ongoing education, and commitment to compassionate, high-quality companion animal medicine within a supportive team.

Qualifications

• DVM or VMD from AVMA-accredited college (or equivalent).
• Active AZ veterinary license or ability to obtain before start date.
• NAVLE completed with good standing.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical leadership and clinical guidance.
• Mentor associate veterinarians and support staff.
• Maintain high-quality, evidence-based patient care.
• Collaborate with hospital leadership on operations.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Collaborative

Education

DVM/VMD

Arizona license

NAVLE

Tools

Digital radiography

Dental radiography

In-house diagnostics

Job description

Medical Director | Friends. Family. Neighbors. | Scottsdale, AZ

Desert Tails Animal Clinic

Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, vibrant city amenities, and year-round sunshine. Whether you're exploring the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, enjoying Old Town Scottsdale's restaurants and art scene, or simply relaxing in one of the area's beautiful neighborhoods, Scottsdale delivers an exceptional quality of life. With easy access to Phoenix and endless opportunities for recreation, it's an ideal place to build both your veterinary leadership career and your life outside of work.

Open: Monday-Saturday

Work Week for This Role: Full-time. Four-day work week available with rotating Saturdays (approximately two per month).

Friends. Family. Neighbors.

That's not just a slogan at Desert Tails Animal Clinic—it's how we view every client, every patient, and every member of our team.

We believe exceptional veterinary medicine starts with meaningful relationships. Our clients trust us because we take the time to listen, educate, and partner with them throughout every stage of their pets' lives. Our team thrives because we support one another, communicate openly, and genuinely enjoy coming to work each day.

If you're a collaborative veterinary leader looking to shape medical excellence while continuing to practice high-quality companion animal medicine, we'd love to meet you.

Make Desert Tails Animal Clinic Your Home Hospital

Located in beautiful North Scottsdale, Desert Tails Animal Clinic is a full-service small animal hospital committed to providing compassionate, personalized care backed by modern medicine and advanced technology.

As our Medical Director, you'll have the opportunity to lead an experienced medical team while remaining hands-on in clinical practice. You'll help guide medical standards, mentor fellow veterinarians, collaborate with hospital leadership, and continue building the strong culture that has made Desert Tails a trusted part of the Scottsdale community.

Supported by an experienced technician team, efficient workflows, and collaborative leadership, you'll have the resources to focus on exceptional medicine while helping shape the future of our hospital.

What You'll Practice

• Small animal general practice
• Preventive care and wellness medicine
• Companion animal medicine
• Puppy and kitten care
• Senior pet care
• Internal medicine cases
• Dermatology consultations
• Urgent care and same-day appointments during regular business hours
• Client education and relationship building
• End-of-life care and quality-of-life discussions

Surgery

• Spays and neuters
• Mass removals and biopsies
• Wound repair
• Splenectomies
• Exploratory procedures
• Other routine soft tissue surgeries

Dentistry

• Professional dental cleanings
• Comprehensive oral health assessments
• Dental radiography
• Surgical dental procedures
• Advanced dental treatments

Why Veterinarians Love Practicing Here

At Desert Tails Animal Clinic, relationships come first. Our clients are engaged, loyal, and committed to providing excellent care for their pets, allowing our veterinarians to build long-term partnerships and practice medicine the right way.

As Medical Director, you'll have the opportunity to influence both patient care and hospital culture. You'll partner with hospital leadership to support doctor development, encourage medical collaboration, and foster an environment where continuous learning and teamwork thrive.

Whether you're discussing a challenging medical case, mentoring fellow veterinarians, performing surgery, educating a first-time puppy owner, or supporting a family through a difficult decision, you'll have the support of an experienced team that genuinely enjoys working together.

Our doctors enjoy a varied caseload that includes preventive care, internal medicine, urgent care, soft tissue surgery, dentistry, dermatology, and senior pet care, creating opportunities to continue growing professionally while making a lasting impact on both patients and teammates.

Under the leadership of Dr. McKnight and an experienced support team, we're excited to welcome a Medical Director who shares our commitment to compassionate, high-quality companion animal medicine.

Leadership Opportunity

As Medical Director, you'll help shape the future of Desert Tails Animal Clinic by:

• Providing medical leadership and clinical guidance
• Mentoring and supporting associate veterinarians
• Promoting evidence-based medicine and medical excellence
• Encouraging collaboration and positive team culture
• Partnering with hospital leadership on operational initiatives
• Supporting continued medical education and professional development
• Helping recruit, develop, and retain exceptional veterinary talent
• Continuing to practice medicine alongside the team

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced veterinarian who enjoys coaching others while remaining actively involved in patient care.

Qualifications

Required

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or VMD degree from an AVMA-accredited college of veterinary medicine (or equivalent certification for international graduates)
• Active Arizona veterinary license in good standing, or ability to obtain licensure prior to start date
• Successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE)
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience practicing small animal general medicine
• Demonstrated commitment to practicing high-quality, evidence-based veterinary medicine
• Strong communication, leadership, and client relationship skills
• Collaborative, team-oriented leadership style
• Passion for mentoring fellow veterinarians and supporting team development
• Commitment to delivering exceptional patient care and client service

Preferred

• Previous experience serving as a Medical Director, Chief of Staff, or veterinary team leader
• Experience mentoring veterinarians or leading medical teams
• Strong interest in soft tissue surgery and veterinary dentistry
• Experience utilizing digital radiography, dental radiography, and in-house diagnostics
• Passion for client education, preventive care, and lifelong patient relationships

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
• Medical Director leadership compensation
• Quarterly production bonuses with no negative accrual
• Sign-on bonus and relocation assistance available
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• Generous paid time off with rollover
• Paid parental leave and bonding time
• Continuing education allowance plus CE days
• Leadership development opportunities
• Professional development support
• Paid professional dues and PLIT
• 401(k) options
• Personal pet discounts
• Plus more

Why Scottsdale?

Scottsdale is consistently ranked among the most desirable places to live in the Southwest, offering an exceptional combination of outdoor recreation, culture, dining, and career opportunities.

• Hiking and mountain biking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
• World-class golf courses and outdoor recreation
• Old Town Scottsdale's dining, nightlife, and arts scene
• Luxury shopping and entertainment
• Beautiful neighborhoods and highly rated schools
• Easy access to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
• More than 300 days of sunshine each year

Candidate Privacy Notice

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. Hiring decisions will be based on merit, qualifications and business needs.

Western Veterinary Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Western Veterinary Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in the job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact [e-mail]. Hiring decisions will be based on merit, qualifications and the legitimate needs of the business.