Veterinary Criticalist

National Veterinary Associates, Inc.; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Sign-on bonus and relocation support

Health, dental, and vision insurance

CE allowance and professional dev.

Paid time off

Retirement savings options

Employee assistance programs

Licensing support

Wellness initiatives for clinicians

Job summary

Summit Veterinary Referral Center in Tacoma, WA, is seeking a Critical Care Specialist to join a collaborative team of emergency doctors and board-certified specialists. You will manage high-acuity emergency and ICU patients, participate in rounds, and contribute to protocol development in a premier tertiary referral center.

Opportunity to perform advanced therapies, participate in program growth, and engage in ongoing CE and mentorship, including POCUS and echocardiography.

Qualifications

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree with eligibility for Washington veterinary licensure.
• Board Certification in Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) or residency-trained in Emergency and Critical Care.
• Strong communication skills with a client-centered approach.

Responsibilities

• Manage high-acuity emergency and ICU patients, including triage and stabilization.
• Lead or participate in interdisciplinary rounds and contribute to protocol development.
• Perform advanced therapies, including mechanical ventilation and high-flow oxygen therapy.
• Support program growth initiatives such as blood bank services, ICU advancement, and residency development opportunities.
• Engage in ongoing CE and mentorship opportunities, including POCUS and echocardiography training.
• Work closely with veterinarians, technicians, and support teams to provide seamless, compassionate patient care.
• Communicate clearly and empathetically with pet owners during stressful situations.
• Contribute to a positive, team-focused hospital culture built on collaboration and learning.

Skills

Strong communication

Collaborative mindset

Education

DVM or equivalent

Washington veterinary licensure eligibility

ACVECC board certification / Emergency & Critical Care training

Job description

Emergency & Critical Care Opportunity in Tacoma, Washington
Schedule: Full-Time

At Summit Veterinary Referral Center, you'll do more than practice medicine, you'll help shape the future of Emergency and Critical Care in one of the largest tertiary referral centers in the Pacific Northwest.

Our Critical Care Specialist will join a highly collaborative team of Emergency doctors and board-certified specialists in Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Radiology, Surgery, Nutrition, and more. Daily Grand Rounds foster a culture of teamwork, knowledge sharing, and exceptional patient care.

Summit offers the advanced resources, dedicated support staff, and caseload diversity that allow Criticalists to practice at the highest level. From managing complex ICU patients to collaborating on challenging multidisciplinary cases, you'll find opportunities to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in a supportive environment where your expertise is valued.

Location Highlight

Located in Tacoma, Washington, Summit Veterinary Referral Center offers the perfect combination of urban amenities and outdoor adventure. Nestled between Seattle, Mount Rainier, and the Puget Sound, Tacoma provides easy access to hiking, skiing, kayaking, and waterfront living while maintaining a more relaxed pace than nearby metropolitan areas. The region's natural beauty, thriving arts scene, and vibrant communities make it a fantastic place to build both your career and your lifestyle.

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 bonus and relocation assistance
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• CE allowance and professional development support
• Paid time off
• Retirement savings options
• Employee assistance programs
• Professional dues and licensing support
• Structured wellness initiatives focused on clinician wellbeing

In Your Day-to-Day, You Will:

• Manage high-acuity emergency and ICU patients, including triage and stabilization.
• Lead or participate in interdisciplinary rounds and contribute to protocol development.
• Perform advanced therapies, including mechanical ventilation and high-flow oxygen therapy, utilizing available hospital resources.
• Support program growth initiatives such as blood bank services, ICU advancement, and residency development opportunities.
• Engage in ongoing CE and mentorship opportunities, including POCUS and echocardiography training.
• Work closely with veterinarians, technicians, and support teams to provide seamless, compassionate patient care.
• Communicate clearly and empathetically with pet owners during stressful and emotional situations.
• Contribute to a positive, team-focused hospital culture built on collaboration, mentorship, and continuous learning.

What You Bring

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree with eligibility for Washington veterinary licensure.
• Board Certification in Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) or residency-trained in Emergency and 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.

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.

Ethos Veterinary Health, part of the NVA Group, is where you come to practice world-class medicine, and help shape what veterinary care becomes next.

Across our network of 140 specialty and emergency hospitals, science moves forward, standards are elevated, and innovation is put into practice every day. You’ll work alongside respected veterinary leaders in academic-caliber hospitals designed for learning, teaching, and discovery.

Here, mentorship is a two-way street. You’ll share your expertise, learn from others, and continue to grow, clinically, professionally, and personally.

At Ethos, you inspire hope, deliver exceptional care, and pursue veterinary medicine at its highest level, together.

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.

Ethos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Ethos does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need.