Lead Doctor - H-Street, Washington DC

About the role

This role delivers clinical leadership and mentorship to uphold emergency care standards in Washington, District of Columbia. You will partner with hospital medical direction to champion VEG practices and foster a customer-focused environment. The position guides fellow doctors and supports their career growth within a collaborative team. Leaders set direction and build the conditions for their teams to succeed by hiring, coaching, and holding people accountable. Your leadership work will span strategy, communication, and decision making while you give clear context and remove obstacles for the people who report to you. Leadership roles in this position are measured by team outcomes, retention, and delivery of consistent emergency care. You are expected to be visible, predictable, and generous with context to elevate the entire medical team.

Key facts

What you'll do

Answer medical questions over the phone to manage emergency intake efficiently and ensure timely care.

Perform immediate patient assessments using VEG Triage and VEG Spikes protocols that prioritize timely care and allow families to remain with their pets.

Formulate diagnostic and therapeutic plans for each patient's condition based on clinical guidelines.

Convey diagnosis and treatment options directly to customers to ensure clear understanding and shared decision-making.

Administer treatments tailored to each pet's specific medical needs with precision and compassion.

Maintain accurate medical records through thorough documentation reviews to support continuity of care.

Explain the rationale for tests and treatments to customers to address their concerns and build trust.

Support the professional growth of doctors through assigned development plans and constructive feedback.

Step in to assist the Medical Director during coverage gaps caused by callouts or schedule changes to maintain operational continuity.

Step in to lead hospital operations as interim Medical Director during the current MD's leave or when opening a new VEG hospital.

Resolve customer complaints related to medical issues promptly and professionally to uphold customer satisfaction.

Champion VEG practices and standards to ensure consistency and excellence in emergency medicine delivery.

Collaborate closely with colleagues to create a supportive and high-functioning medical environment.

Utilize scheduling and administrative tools for clinic operations to optimize workflow and team efficiency.

Requirements

The posting states a bachelor's degree requirement. Hold a DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree from an accredited institution.

Possess over 2 years of ER experience and critical case management capabilities demonstrated in previous roles.

Complete training in emergency surgery or endoscopy to handle complex procedural needs.

Remain flexible to perform a mix of clinical and administrative shifts as required by hospital operations.

Commit to achieving top-tier customer satisfaction and hospital revenue targets through excellence in care.

Readiness to lead and support fellow doctors while handling administrative tasks outside regular hours as needed.

Ability to function in a noisy environment with strong or unpleasant odors inherent to emergency veterinary care.

Willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating or as-needed basis based on hospital demands and patient flow.

Skill to work effectively in a fast-paced setting with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and personalities.

Ability to adhere to clinical guidelines and customer-focused protocols that define daily workflows.

Commitment to maintaining professional communication with medical direction and hospital leadership.

Physical capability to perform duties that may require extended periods of standing, lifting, and moving equipment.

Skills & tools

Emergency veterinary medicine expertise with a strong understanding of triage and critical care.

Customer-focused care practices that prioritize empathy, clarity, and trust with pet owners.

Experience with scheduling and administrative tools for clinic operations and team coordination.

Knowledge of medical training equipment for surgery and endoscopy to support procedural efficiency.

Familiarity with VEG specific protocols and documentation standards.

Ability to mentor junior veterinarians and provide clinical coaching in real-time settings.

Experience leading in a fast-paced, high-stress clinical environment while maintaining professionalism.

Practical notes

This role requires flexibility for both clinical and administrative shifts to meet hospital needs.

Typical interview steps

Leadership hiring usually includes a strategy case, a people scenario, and a values conversation to assess decision-making and alignment with core values. Candidates may be asked to turn around a struggling team or plan for growth in a new service area. Past results are examined closely, especially how decisions were made and their impact on patient outcomes and team performance. Interviewers dig into specific decisions you made and their consequences, so preparing two or three decision stories with numbers and lessons is the best use of time.

Good to know

Emergency veterinary medicine operates in fast-paced, high-stress clinical settings where decisions have immediate impact on patient outcomes and client communication. Diagnostic and treatment choices must be made quickly while maintaining accuracy and compassion. Mentorship shapes long-term career paths in veterinary practice by developing confidence and competence in junior doctors. Clinical guidelines and customer-focused protocols define daily workflows and ensure consistency across the network. Travel and continuing education support are available for professional growth and skill development. Teams function effectively when doctors collaborate closely with medical direction and uphold shared standards. This position is integral to maintaining the reliability and reputation of VEG emergency care in the nation's capital.