Veterinary Medical Director

BluePearl Pet Hospital; Woodstock (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Practice Manager collaboration

Protected administrative time

Leadership development resources

Insurance (medical/dental/vision)

Job summary

BluePearl Pet Hospital in Ellicott City, MD, is seeking a collaborative Medical Director for our new 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital. This on-site leadership role blends clinical practice with protected administrative time and partners with the Practice Manager and BluePearl leadership.

You will guide medical quality, mentor clinicians, shape culture, and drive the hospital's long-term vision while maintaining a part-time clinical schedule.

Qualifications

• DVM/VMD or equivalent and veterinary licensure.
• Strong leadership, mentorship, and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to medical quality and clinician development.

Responsibilities

• Lead medical quality and patient safety initiatives.
• Mentor clinicians through regular feedback and development.
• Partner with Practice Manager to align clinical and operational priorities.
• Recruit and onboard clinicians and cultivate collaboration across services.
• Build a learning culture with continuing education and interdisciplinary rounds.
• Support referral relationships and sustainable hospital growth.
• Maintain a part-time clinical schedule while shaping long-term vision.
• Ensure compliance with medical regulations including DEA requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Communication

Collaboration

Clinical governance

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD)

Job description

Lead with purpose. Build a culture of clinical excellence. Help shape the future of specialty and emergency care. BluePearl Pet Hospital in Ellicott City, Maryland, is seeking a collaborative and engaged veterinary leader to serve as Medical Director for our brand-new 20,000-square-foot, 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital. This full-time, on-site role combines clinical practice with dedicated, protected administrative time. The Medical Director will partner closely with the Practice Manager and BluePearl leadership in a collaborative co-leadership model. You will focus on medical quality, clinician mentorship and engagement, clinical culture, and the hospital’s long-term medical vision, with operational partnership and leadership resources to support your success. Our Ellicott City hospital builds on the strong foundation of Skylos Sports Medicine, a BluePearl Pet Hospital, one of the East Coast’s leading orthopedic and sports medicine practices. Skylos has developed a strong referral base over the past 11 years, creating meaningful opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration and continued service growth.

What You’ll Do

• Lead medical quality and patient safety: Uphold high standards of care; implement clinical programs, protocols, and medical quality initiatives; use patient safety event reporting and M&M review to identify risks and improve systems.
• Build an engaged clinical culture: Directly support clinicians through regular check-ins, timely feedback, mentorship, performance development, and proactive conflict resolution.
• Partner through co-leadership: Work closely with the Practice Manager and hospital leadership to establish clinical workflows, support service performance, and align medical and operational priorities.
• Recruit and onboard clinicians: Partner with recruiting and hospital leadership to create strong candidate experiences, successful site visits, and effective onboarding and acclimation.
• Cultivate learning and collaboration: Promote technician development, interdisciplinary rounds, continuing education, and collegial communication across emergency and specialty services.
• Strengthen referral relationships: Collaborate with referring veterinarians through case communication, continuing education, and community outreach.
• Guide sustainable growth: Maintain a part-time clinical schedule and help shape the hospital’s long-term clinical vision, services, and clinician capacity.
• Support medical compliance: Partner with hospital leadership on applicable medical regulatory responsibilities, including DEA compliance.

What We’re Looking For

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) degree or equivalent.
• At least five years of experience as an emergency clinician or two or more years of experience as a board-certified specialist.
• Active Maryland veterinary license in good standing, or eligibility to obtain one.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to lead by example, resolve conflict, motivate others, manage competing priorities, and solve problems.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with clinicians, hospital leaders, support teams, clients, and referring veterinarians.
• A commitment to mentorship, clinician development, medical quality, psychological safety, and a learning-focused culture.
• Interest in helping build and grow a new 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital.

Compensation, Benefits & Leadership Support

• Competitive annual base salary, Medical Director stipend, and quarterly production bonus with no negative accrual.
• Dedicated, protected paid administrative time.
• Collaborative co-leadership with the Practice Manager and support from BluePearl medical and operational leaders.
• Leadership development, professional education, and clinician wellness resources through BluePearl and Mars Veterinary Health.
• Annual clinician stipend and access to extensive clinical learning resources.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; parental leave and fertility benefits.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• BluePearl pet care benefits and additional employee discounts.
• Strong technician support within a growing emergency and specialty team.

Life in Ellicott City

Located between Baltimore and Washington, DC, Ellicott City combines historic character, outdoor recreation, restaurants, sports, live music, and family-friendly amenities with convenient access to two major metropolitan areas. Explore local hiking trails, bike paths, waterways, and pet-friendly Historic Ellicott City, or visit nearby destinations including the Smithsonian museums, Fort McHenry, Gettysburg, Shenandoah National Park, and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Build What Comes Next

This is more than an opportunity to step into an established Medical Director role. You will help build a hospital, develop a team, shape a clinician-driven culture, and influence the future of emergency and specialty medicine in the community.

BluePearl is committed to a diverse work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation or affectional preference, or gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.