Veterinary Medical Director

Star Valley Veterinary Clinic; Poulsbo (WA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Relocation assistance

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

CE allowance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Life insurance

EAP

Leadership development

Ethos resources access

Job summary

Animal Emergency & Specialty Center - Poulsbo, part of Ethos Veterinary Health, seeks a board-certified or residency-trained Medical Director to lead our Emergency & Critical Care service on Washington's Olympic Peninsula.

This full-time role combines high-level patient care with clinical leadership, mentorship for emergency veterinarians, development of protocols, and collaboration with hospital leadership to deliver outstanding care.

Qualifications

• DVM or equivalent with eligibility for Washington licensure.
• Board Certification in Emergency & Critical Care or residency in ECC.
• Leadership or mentorship experience valued.
• Strong communication and collaborative leadership.
• Passion for continuous learning and advancing specialty medicine.

Responsibilities

• Manage high-acuity emergency and ICU patients with triage and stabilization.
• Lead interdisciplinary rounds and contribute to medical protocols.
• Mentor emergency veterinarians and veterinary teams.
• Partner with hospital leadership to ensure medical quality and engagement.
• Support growth of specialty and emergency services within the hospital.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on communication and patient care.

Skills

DVM

Board Certification DACVECC

Leadership

Mentorship

Communication

Education

DVM or equivalent

WA licensure eligibility

Job description

Hospital Name: Animal Emergency & Specialty Center - Poulsbo

Job Type: Veterinarian - Managing / Medical Director

Employment Type: Permanent

Description & Requirements

Medical Director, Emergency & Critical Care

Emergency & Critical Care opportunity in Poulsbo, Washington
Compensation: Base salary $200,000–$230,000 plus production and Medical Director stipend
Schedule: Full-Time

At Animal Emergency & Specialty Center (AESC), you'll do more than practice exceptional critical care medicine, you'll help lead the future of specialty and emergency care on Washington's beautiful Olympic Peninsula. We're seeking a board-certified or residency-trained Criticalist to serve as Medical Director and partner with our leadership team to support our established Emergency service and expanding Specialty programs.

As Medical Director, you'll have the unique opportunity to actively shape the hospital's clinical vision while maintaining a meaningful role in patient care. Working closely with the Hospital Director and regional leadership team, you'll help ensure the delivery of high-quality, compassionate, and comprehensive veterinary medicine while fostering a positive, supportive culture for doctors, technicians, and support staff.

Our modern 12,000-square-foot fear-free focused hospital was designed to support advanced patient care and clinician success. The facility features:

• 3 fully equipped surgical suites
• Dedicated feline ward
• 2 isolation rooms
• Comfort room for client support
• CT imaging
• Digital radiography
• Blood gas analyzer
• Advanced emergency and specialty equipment throughout the hospital

At AESC, our team culture is one of our greatest strengths. We are committed to fostering an environment built on kindness, respect, teamwork, and collaboration. Our doctors and staff are passionate about providing exceptional care while ensuring team members feel valued, supported, and proud of the work they do every day.

As Medical Director, you'll play a key role in mentoring emergency veterinarians, supporting medical quality initiatives, developing clinical protocols, and helping drive operational excellence. This is an ideal opportunity for a clinician who enjoys leadership, coaching, and building strong teams while continuing to practice high-level medicine.

As part of Ethos Veterinary Health, you'll also benefit from access to a nationwide network of specialty hospitals, educational resources, and clinical leaders dedicated to advancing veterinary medicine through innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

Location Highlight

Located on the scenic Kitsap Peninsula, Poulsbo offers an exceptional blend of outdoor adventure, waterfront living, and small-town charm. Known as "Little Norway," Poulsbo features a vibrant marina, locally owned restaurants, boutique shops, and a welcoming community atmosphere.

Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy year-round access to kayaking, hiking, boating, mountain biking, skiing, and climbing. Nearby attractions include Olympic National Park, the Olympic Rain Forest, Mount Rainier, the Pacific Coast, and the waters of Puget Sound. Best of all, downtown Seattle is just a scenic 40-minute ferry ride away, providing convenient access to world-class dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions while allowing you to enjoy a more relaxed pace of life.

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.

• Monthly Medical Director stipend
• Sign-on and relocation assistance
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• CE allowance and professional development support
• Paid time off
• Retirement savings options
• Employee assistance programs
• Leadership development and mentorship opportunities
• Access to Ethos educational resources and specialty network

In your day-to-day, you will:

• Manage high-acuity emergency and ICU patients, including triage, stabilization, and advanced critical care management.
• Lead or participate in interdisciplinary rounds and contribute to medical protocol development.
• Provide mentorship and clinical support for emergency veterinarians and veterinary teams.
• Partner with hospital leadership to ensure medical quality, team engagement, and operational excellence.
• Support the growth and development of specialty and emergency services within the hospital.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on communication, education, and exceptional patient care.
• 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 & Critical Care (DACVECC) or residency-trained in Emergency & Critical Care.
• Previous leadership or mentorship experience is valued but not required.
• Strong communication skills with a compassionate, client-centered approach.
• A collaborative leadership style and commitment to building strong teams.
• A passion for continuous learning, mentorship, and advancing specialty medicine.
• A commitment to delivering exceptional patient care while fostering a positive workplace culture.

Join Us

At Ethos, this isn't just a job, it's an opportunity to practice medicine at the highest level, lead a dedicated team, and help shape the future of specialty and emergency veterinary care on Washington's beautiful Olympic Peninsula.