Emergency Veterinary Medical Director

About the Role

We are seeking an Emergency Veterinary Medical Director to join our team at Animal Emergency and Specialty Center (AESC) in Poulsbo, WA. This full-time opportunity offers a base salary of $185k-$200K plus production incentives, along with a $25k signing bonus. The schedule includes a rotating mix of clinical and administrative shifts.

About Us

At AESC, you’ll do more than practice—you’ll grow, collaborate, and help shape what’s possible in veterinary medicine. Our brand-new, 12,000 sq ft hospital is Fear Free focused and features:

• 10 exam rooms
• 3 surgical suites
• A cat ward and 2 isolation rooms
• Comfort room
• Top-tier equipment including CT, X-ray, Snyder oxygen cages, and a blood gas machine

Our team is deeply committed to high-quality medicine, exceptional client service, and a collaborative, supportive culture built on kindness and mutual respect. As part of Ethos, your voice, growth, and expertise truly matter.

Location Highlight

Poulsbo is situated on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula, offering a charming small-town vibe with great restaurants, boutiques, and a vibrant marina. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy kayaking, hiking, boating, skiing, and exploring nearby natural wonders like Mt. Rainier, Olympic National Park, and the Puget Sound. Plus, you're just a scenic 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle!

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality emergency and critical care to a diverse caseload of companion animals.
• Evaluate, diagnose, and develop treatment plans for patients presenting with urgent and emergent medical conditions.
• Provide comprehensive emergency care through a balanced mix of receiving new emergency cases, triaging incoming patients, and managing hospitalized patients throughout their course of treatment.
• Perform emergency procedures and stabilize critically ill or injured patients using evidence-based medicine.
• 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.
• Provide clinical leadership and oversight for emergency and critical care, championing high-quality, innovative medicine and exceptional client experience.
• Oversee development and maintenance of medical protocols, SOPs, and patient safety standards, including infection control and medical record accuracy.
• Partner closely with the Hospital Director to address patient safety concerns, support quality improvement initiatives, and guide hospital strategy, growth, and service expansion.
• Mentor, coach, and develop DVMs and clinical staff through performance management, ongoing feedback, and structured development opportunities.
• Drive recruitment, engagement, and retention of veterinarians while fostering a collaborative, psychologically safe, team-oriented culture.
• Support and participate in mentorship and training programs, including new graduate and ER development initiatives.
• Ensure timely and professional resolution of client and referring veterinarian concerns while strengthening RDVM relationships.
• Lead regular team communication, doctor meetings, and hospital-wide updates to promote transparency, alignment, and engagement.
• Collaborate on hospital operations including budgeting, equipment planning, compliance with regulatory standards, and controlled substance management.
• Represent the hospital in leadership forums and contribute to broader organizational initiatives.

Requirements

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree with eligibility for state veterinary licensure.
• Completion of a rotating internship or experience practicing emergency medicine is preferred (or equivalent clinical experience).
• Confidence managing emergency cases and making sound clinical decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• 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 emergency veterinary medicine.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation with production bonus eligibility based on collections and criteria.
• $25k signing bonus or relocation assistance.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Continuing education (CE) allowance and professional development support.
• Paid time off, including sick leave and vacation.
• Retirement savings options.
• Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Mentorship for ER DVMs new to the Medical Director role.

About Ethos

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.