Veterinary Criticalist

Star Valley Veterinary Clinic; Concord (CA); On-site; USD 225,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Relocation assistance

Sign-on bonus

401(k) match

CE allowance

Job summary

Ethos/SAGE Concord seeks a board-certified veterinary criticalist to join our growing Emergency & Critical Care service in Concord, CA. You will manage high-acuity patients, support an established Criticalist, and work with a collaborative team across specialties.

Our hospital offers a large, modern facility with dedicated ICU, ultrasound support, and a culture focused on collaboration, sustainability, and continuous learning. Relocation and sign-on may be available.

Qualifications

• DVM or equivalent degree with California licensure eligibility.
• Board certification in Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC) or residency in Emergency & Critical Care with board-eligibility.
• Strong critical care and communication skills.
• Desire to mentor staff within a multispecialty environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage high-acuity emergency and ICU patients, including triage and stabilization.
• Provide comprehensive management of complex medical and surgical ICU patients.
• Collaborate with the Criticalist, Emergency clinicians, Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Neurology.
• Lead or participate in interdisciplinary rounds and case discussions.
• Utilize advanced critical care monitoring, oxygen therapy, and ventilation as appropriate.
• Develop individualized treatment plans and communicate recommendations to clients and referring veterinarians.

Skills

DVM/VCI basics

DACVECC or residency

Clinical critical care

Client communication

Mentoring

Collaboration

Lifelong learning

Education

DVM or equivalent veterinary degree

Eligibility for California veterinary licensure

Tools

Ultrasound

Job description

Base Salary: $225,000–$250,000 based on experience and qualifications
Full-Time opportunity in Concord, California
Schedule: FT

SAGE Concord is seeking a board-certified or residency-trained Veterinary Criticalist to join our outstanding team and help continue building a growing Emergency & Critical Care service. This is an opportunity to join an established service with an existing full-time Criticalist, a strong Emergency team, and the support of a tenured, collaborative specialty community.

Our 27,000-square-foot hospital, built in 2022, was intentionally designed with collaboration in mind. The facility features a dedicated cat-only ICU ward, four banks of oxygen cages, three ultrasound rooms, six operating rooms, and dedicated ER and CCU nursing teams. With ultrasound support available seven days a week for ER and a highly trained support staff, you'll have the resources and clinical partnership necessary to provide exceptional care to high-acuity patients.

At SAGE Concord, collaboration isn't simply a value—it's built into the way we practice. You'll work alongside specialists across multiple disciplines, sharing knowledge and developing comprehensive treatment plans for complex patients. Our culture is grounded in collaboration, sustainability, compassion, and innovation, with a genuine commitment to the growth and well-being of our people.

Location Highlight

Concord offers an appealing East Bay lifestyle with a balance of suburban charm, outdoor recreation, and easy access to the broader Bay Area. With San Francisco and other major Bay Area destinations nearby, plus beautiful parks, excellent dining, and convenient access to the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe, Concord offers plenty to explore both close to home and on your days off.

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 base salary of $225,000–$250,000 based on experience and qualifications
• Sign-on bonus
• Relocation assistance
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• FSA and HSA options
• CE allowance and professional development support
• Paid time off
• Retirement savings options with 401(k) employer match
• Professional liability insurance
• Life, short-term, and long-term disability coverage
• Professional development and leadership opportunities
• Access to mentorship and collaboration across the Ethos network

In your day-to-day, you will:

• Manage high-acuity emergency and ICU patients, including triage, stabilization, and ongoing critical care
• Provide comprehensive management of complex medical and surgical patients in the ICU
• Collaborate closely with the existing Criticalist, Emergency clinicians, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Neurology, and other specialty teams
• Lead or participate in interdisciplinary rounds and case discussions
• Utilize advanced monitoring and critical care capabilities, including oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation as clinically appropriate
• Perform and interpret point-of-care ultrasound and collaborate with the hospital's ultrasound-supported ER team
• Develop individualized treatment plans for critically ill patients and communicate recommendations clearly with clients and referring veterinarians
• Work alongside dedicated ER and CCU nurses to promote efficient workflow and continuity of care
• Mentor and develop veterinary nurses and support staff in advanced critical care techniques
• Help develop and refine ICU protocols, workflows, and standards of care
• Contribute to the continued growth and development of the Emergency & Critical Care service
• Participate in ongoing CE, mentorship, and professional development opportunities
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative hospital culture centered on compassionate, ethical, and high-quality patient care

What You Bring

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree with eligibility for California veterinary licensure
• Board Certification in Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC) or residency trained in Emergency & Critical Care and board eligible
• Strong clinical skills and a passion for managing complex, high-acuity patients
• Excellent communication skills with a compassionate, client-centered approach
• A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for working within a multispecialty environment
• Interest in mentoring veterinary nurses, ER clinicians, and other members of the clinical team
• A passion for continuous learning, innovation, and advancing specialty medicine

Join Us

At Ethos, this isn't just a job—it's an opportunity to practice medicine at the highest level and help shape the future of veterinary care.

At SAGE Concord, you'll join a growing Critical Care service with the rare combination of an established Criticalist, dedicated CCU support, advanced hospital infrastructure, and a deeply collaborative specialty team. You won't be building a program alone—you'll have the opportunity to grow alongside experienced colleagues while helping shape the next chapter of Critical Care at SAGE.

If you're looking for a hospital where advanced medicine, exceptional support, and genuine collaboration come together, we'd love to connect.