Veterinary Emergency Medical Director

Metropolitan Animal Emergency and Specialty Center; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan in Rockville, MD is seeking an experienced Veterinary Medical Director to lead the emergency and specialty medical team. The role blends clinical leadership with hands-on medicine to set high standards for patient care and mentorship of veterinarians and staff.

The ideal candidate has a DVM/VMD with an active license and 5+ years of clinical veterinary experience, plus a proven ability to develop colleagues and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced hospital setting.

Qualifications

• Must hold a DVM/VMD with an active veterinary license.
• 5+ years of clinical veterinary experience.
• Proven passion for mentorship, coaching, and colleague development.
• Strong leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence skills.
• Collaborative mindset with ability to inspire and influence others.
• Commitment to high medical standards and compassionate care.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the medical leader and clinical mentor for our veterinary team.
• Champion excellent medicine, patient care, and medical standards.
• Coach, develop, and empower veterinarians and support staff at all stages of their careers.
• Create a culture of learning, trust, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with hospital leadership on strategic decisions, protocols, and growth initiatives.
• Balance a primarily leadership-focused role with hands-on medicine: approximately 75% administrative/leadership responsibilities and 25% clinical practice.
• Lead by example—combining strategic oversight with clinical credibility.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Communication

Emotional intelligence

Collaboration

Education

DVM/VMD

Active veterinary license

Job description

Description

Medical Director - Emergency DVM or Specialist

OUR PRACTICE

We seamlessly blend the compassionate, relationship-driven care you expect from a primary care veterinarian with the precision, speed, and expertise required in emergency and specialty medicine.

Founded in 1976, we are one of the oldest and most respected 24-hour emergency animal hospitals in the country. For nearly five decades, we have proudly served our community, growing alongside it and earning a reputation for clinical excellence, compassion, and reliability when pets need care the most.

Whether a patient requires immediate emergency intervention, advanced diagnostics, surgery, or intensive post-incident monitoring, our dedicated team is always on standby. At Metropolitan, our mission is simple: to bring the wag back to every dog’s tail and the purr back to every cat’s meow.

Our hospital offers comprehensive emergency, diagnostic, surgical, and specialized intensive care services. We are supported by a strong local referral network and a collaborative, highly skilled medical team committed to delivering top-quality veterinary medicine.

Our culture is rooted in core values that prioritize:

• An emotionally intelligent and supportive work environment
• A healthy work/life balance
• Leadership within the veterinary community
• Teamwork, respect, and collaboration

OUR HOME

Located in central Montgomery County, Rockville consistently ranks as one of America’s best small cities for both work and play. The area offers the charm of a close-knit community with year-round events, excellent schools, abundant parks, and easy access to major employment hubs.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy nearby hiking and biking trails, while convenient access to Washington, DC makes it easy to experience the nation’s capital—without the challenges of big-city living. Rockville truly offers the best of both worlds.

Lead. Inspire. Build the future of veterinary medicine.

We’re looking for an experienced, people-first Veterinary Medical Director to lead our medical team and help shape the next generation of veterinary professionals. This role is ideal for a seasoned veterinarian who loves practicing high-quality medicine and finds real fulfillment in developing colleagues, fostering collaboration, and raising the standard of care across the hospital.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the medical leader and clinical mentor for our veterinary team
• Champion excellent medicine, patient care, and medical standards
• Coach, develop, and empower veterinarians and support staff at all stages of their careers
• Create a culture of learning, trust, and continuous improvement
• Partner with hospital leadership on strategic decisions, protocols, and growth initiatives
• Balance a primarily leadership-focused role with hands-on medicine: approximately 75% administrative/leadership responsibilities and 25% clinical practice
• Work a predictable 40-hour work week, allowing time for thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and sustainable work-life balance
• Lead by example—combining strategic oversight with clinical credibility
• If you want, I can also:

What We’re Looking For

• DVM/VMD (or equivalent) with an active veterinary license
• 5+ years of clinical veterinary experience
• Demonstrated passion for mentorship, coaching, and colleague development
• Strong leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence skills
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to inspire and influence others
• Commitment to high medical standards and ethical, compassionate care

Why You’ll Love This Role

• Opportunity to shape medical culture and develop future leaders
• A supportive environment that values growth, innovation, and teamwork
• The chance to make a meaningful impact beyond individual cases
• Competitive compensation and benefits (details tailored to experience)
• A leadership role where your voice, experience, and vision truly matter

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career—where leadership, mentorship, and medicine come together, we’d love to meet you.