Veterinary Criticalist

National Veterinary Associates; Bel Air (MD); On-site; USD 210,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on or relocation

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

CE allowance

Paid time off

401(k) with employer match

Student loan reimbursement

Pet discounts

Job summary

Animal Emergency Hospital (Bel Air, MD), part of National Veterinary Associates, seeks a Veterinary Criticalist who is board-certified or residency-trained to lead advanced emergency and critical care in a teaching hospital setting.

You will manage high‑acuity ICU patients, mentor staff, and collaborate with specialists to advance critical care medicine in a supportive, learning‑focused environment.

Qualifications

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree with eligibility for state veterinary licensure.
• Board Certification in Emergency & Critical Care (DACVECC) or Residency Trained in Emergency & Critical Care.
• Strong communication skills with a compassionate, client‑centered approach.
• Collaborative mindset and commitment to exceptional patient care.
• A passion for continuous learning, teamwork, and advancing specialty medicine.

Responsibilities

• Manage high‑acuity emergency and ICU patients, providing advanced critical care and stabilization.
• Collaborate with Emergency clinicians, specialty consultants, technicians, and support staff for coordinated care.
• Lead interdisciplinary rounds, case discussions, and protocol development.
• Perform advanced therapies such as mechanical ventilation and high‑flow oxygen therapy.
• Utilize hospital resources including ultrasound, endoscopy, ICU monitoring, and radiography.
• Mentor emergency clinicians, technicians, interns, and support staff; foster learning and teamwork.

Skills

Communication skills

Collaborative mindset

Continuous learning

Patient care orientation

Education

DVM or equivalent

DACVECC or ECC residency

Job description

Hospital Name: Animal Emergency Hospital (Bel Air, MD)

Job Type: Veterinarian - Specialty

Employment Type: Permanent

Description & Requirements

Veterinary Criticalist
Full-Time opportunity in Bel Air, Maryland

At Animal Emergency Hospital (AEH), you'll join a dedicated team of emergency and specialty professionals who are passionate about providing exceptional patient care while fostering a culture built on collaboration, mentorship, learning, and compassion. We are seeking a board-certified or residency-trained Criticalist who shares our commitment to clinical excellence and is excited to help advance Emergency and Critical Care medicine in a thriving, teaching-focused hospital environment.

AEH is led by Dr. Jennifer Goessling, DVM, Medical Director and Maryland Veterinary Medical Association President-Elect, alongside Hospital Director Christine Price, RVT. Together, they have cultivated a supportive culture that values professional growth, teamwork, and lifelong learning. As a teaching hospital, AEH is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of veterinary professionals through technician training programs, DVM mentorship initiatives, continuing education opportunities, and hands‑on learning experiences.

Our team believes that great medicine starts with a great culture. From Employee Pet Wellness Days and social events to mentorship programs and collaborative rounds, you'll find a workplace where colleagues genuinely enjoy working together while delivering exceptional care. At AEH, you are not just joining a hospital, you're becoming part of a team that supports one another both professionally and personally.

Our recently expanded 15,000-square-foot facility was thoughtfully designed to support advanced patient care, employee wellness, and clinical efficiency. You'll have access to modern technology, extensive diagnostic capabilities, spacious treatment areas, and specialized equipment that allows you to practice at the highest level of Emergency and Critical Care medicine.

Location Highlight

Located in scenic Harford County, Bel Air offers an outstanding quality of life with easy access to Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and the Chesapeake Bay. Residents enjoy award-winning parks, hiking and biking trails, kayaking, equestrian activities, and a thriving Arts & Entertainment District featuring concerts, galleries, festivals, and community events. Whether you prefer city amenities or outdoor adventure, Bel Air provides the best of both worlds.

Benefits for this role may include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement benefits, paid time off (including sick leave and vacation), short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance

• Competitive compensation
• Sign-on or relocation assistance
• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
• CE allowance and professional development support
• Paid time off
• 401(k) with employer match
• Employee assistance programs
• Professional dues and licensure support
• Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs), including student loan reimbursement and retention bonuses
• Generous employee pet discounts
• Up to 6 weeks PTO/sick time based on tenure
• The anticipated starting base salary range for individuals expressing interest in this position is $210,000 to $230,000 per year.

In your day-to-day, you will:

• Manage high‑acuity emergency and ICU patients, providing advanced critical care, triage, stabilization, and ongoing treatment for complex and life‑threatening medical conditions.
• Collaborate closely with Emergency clinicians, specialty consultants, technicians, and support staff to deliver coordinated, multidisciplinary patient care.
• Lead and participate in interdisciplinary rounds, case discussions, and protocol development initiatives that support clinical excellence and optimal patient outcomes.
• Perform advanced therapies including mechanical ventilation, high‑flow oxygen therapy, transfusion medicine, and other specialized critical care interventions based on patient needs and available resources.
• Utilize advanced hospital resources including ultrasound, endoscopy, ventilators, oxygen cages, in‑house diagnostics, digital radiography, ICU monitoring systems, and surgical support services to provide exceptional patient care.
• Support program growth initiatives such as blood bank services, residency and mentorship development, clinical protocol advancement, and ongoing expansion of Critical Care services.
• Provide compassionate, transparent communication to pet owners during some of the most challenging and emotional moments in their pets' care journeys.
• Build strong relationships with referring veterinarians through consultation, collaborative case management, and proactive communication.
• Mentor emergency clinicians, technicians, assistants, interns, and support staff while fostering a culture of learning, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Engage in ongoing continuing education and mentorship opportunities, including point‑of‑care ultrasound (POCUS), echocardiography training, and advanced Emergency & Critical Care skill development.
• Contribute to a collaborative hospital culture focused on innovation, teaching, professional growth, exceptional patient care, and advancing specialty medicine.

What You Bring

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree with eligibility for state veterinary licensure.
• Board Certification in Emergency & Critical Care (DACVECC) or Residency Trained in Emergency & Critical Care.
• Strong communication skills with a compassionate, client‑centered approach.
• A collaborative mindset and commitment to exceptional patient care.
• A passion for continuous learning, teamwork, and advancing specialty medicine.