Lead Doctor - Winter Park, FL

About the role

This role guides emergency veterinary care in Winter Park through clinical leadership and team mentorship. The position supports both patient outcomes and professional growth within a 24/7 emergency hospital.

Leaders set direction and build the conditions for their teams to succeed. They hire, coach, and hold people accountable. Leadership work spans strategy, communication, and decision making. Effective leaders give clear context and remove obstacles for the people who report to them. Leadership roles are measured by team outcomes, retention, and delivery. Most organizations expect leaders to be visible, predictable, and generous with context.

Key facts

What you'll do

You will work clinical shifts that include answering medical questions by phone and seeing patients immediately using VEG Triage and VEG Spikes. Decisions will be made to complete a diagnosis and create a diagnostic and therapeutic plan while communicating options directly to customers. You will provide treatments and document care accurately in medical records. You will explain the value of tests and treatments to address customer concerns. You will support colleagues through assigned growth and development plans. You will assist the Medical Director during callouts or schedule changes and serve as interim Medical Director when needed.

Requirements

You hold a DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree. You bring 2+ years of ER experience and critical case management. One year of leadership experience is preferred but not required. You have training in emergency surgery or endoscopy. You remain flexible to work a combination of clinical and administrative shifts. You ensure top-tier customer satisfaction and hospital revenue production. You are willing to lead and support fellow doctors and perform administrative tasks during off hours. You can work in a noisy environment with strong or unpleasant odors. You are available for nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating or as-needed basis. You work effectively in a fast-paced environment with people from diverse backgrounds and personalities.

Nice to have

Training in emergency surgery or endoscopy is noted as a preferred qualification. One year of leadership experience is noted as preferred but not required.

Skills & tools

General emergency veterinary medicine tools and diagnostic equipment are used in patient care. Customer communication and medical documentation occur through standard veterinary practice systems.

Practical notes

This role requires night, weekend, and holiday availability based on hospital needs. Travel may be required between locations as operational demands change. Typical interview steps

Leadership hiring usually includes a strategy case, a people scenario, and a values conversation. Candidates may be asked to turn around a struggling team or plan for growth. Past results are examined closely, especially how decisions were made. Interviewers dig into specific decisions you made and their consequences. Preparing two or three decision stories with numbers and lessons is the best use of time.

Good to know

Emergency veterinary medicine involves fast decisions and diverse cases, including exotics. The role emphasizes mentorship, continuous learning, and clinical excellence. Ongoing training and CE opportunities are supported through structured programs and stipends. A focus on work-life balance is provided through flexible schedules and comprehensive benefits.

Career growth

Leadership careers move from manager to senior manager, director, and executive roles. Each step adds more scope and more responsibility for outcomes. The best leaders keep learning how to delegate, communicate, and decide. Leadership careers reward a record of building and developing people. The higher you go, the more your communication shapes the whole organization.