Veterinary Medical Director

AAVMP; Poulsbo (WA); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly stipend

Sign-on/ relocation

Healthcare package

CE allowance

Paid time off

Retirement savings

Employee assistance

Leadership mentorship

Ethos resources access

Job summary

Animal Emergency & Specialty Center in Poulsbo, WA is seeking a board-certified or residency-trained Medical Director to lead the Emergency & Critical Care service, shape clinical strategy, and mentor our veterinary team.

The role offers a base salary of $200,000–$230,000 plus production and a Medical Director stipend, with full-time scheduling and a supportive, growth-oriented hospital culture. You’ll partner with leadership to advance specialty programs and high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Strong leadership or mentorship experience is valued but not required.
• Excellent communication with clients and teams; collaborative leadership style.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional patient care while fostering a positive workplace culture.

Responsibilities

• Manage high-acuity emergency and ICU patients, including triage and stabilization.
• Lead or participate in rounds and develop medical protocols.
• Mentor emergency veterinarians and veterinary teams.
• Partner with hospital leadership to ensure medical quality and operational excellence.
• Support growth of specialty and emergency services within the hospital.
• Foster a collaborative, learning-focused hospital culture.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Communication

Teamwork

Collaboration

Continuous learning

Education

DVM or equivalent veterinary degree

Washington veterinary licensure eligibility

Board Certification in Emergency & Critical Care (DACVECC) or residency-trained

Tools

CT imaging

Digital radiography

Blood gas analyzer

Oxygen cages

Job description

Job Description

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

Why Join Animal Emergency & Specialty Center

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.

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

• 10 spacious exam rooms
• 3 fully equipped surgical suites
• Dedicated feline ward
• 2 isolation rooms
• Comfort room for client support
• CT imaging
• Digital radiography
• Blood gas analyzer
• Snyder oxygen cages
• 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.

Learn more about the area through the Visit Kitsap Peninsula Guide and the Visit Poulsbo Visitor Guide.

Perks & Benefits

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.

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.