Lead Doctor - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

About the role

This role guides emergency veterinary care in Pittsburgh and supports a team dedicated to pets and clients. The position combines clinical leadership with coaching to advance medicine and the customer experience in a 24/7 environment.

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 perform emergency clinical shifts, including answering medical questions by phone and seeing patients immediately using VEG Triage and VEG Spikes to ensure timely care and allow families to stay with their pets. You complete a diagnosis for each pet and create a diagnostic and therapeutic plan, then communicate findings and treatment options directly to customers. You provide appropriate treatments, create and review accurate medical records, and explain the value of tests and treatments to address concerns and uphold satisfaction.

Requirements

You hold a DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree and possess 2+ years of emergency experience with critical case management. One year of leadership experience is preferred but not required, along with training in emergency surgery or endoscopy. You are flexible to work a combination of clinical and administrative shifts and committed to top-tier customer satisfaction and hospital revenue production. You are willing to lead and support fellow doctors and perform administrative tasks during off hours, including callouts and scheduling. You must work comfortably in a noisy environment with strong or unpleasant odors and be 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

One year of leadership experience is preferred.

Training in emergency surgery or endoscopy.

Skills & tools

Emergency veterinary medicine, diagnostic and treatment planning, medical records, customer communication, coaching and mentorship, scheduling, quality and safety standards.

Practical notes

This role requires night, weekend, and holiday availability, the ability to work in a noisy setting with strong odors, and compliance with hospital operational standards. Travel may be required based on hospital needs.

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

Veterinary Emergency Group operates 24/7 emergency hospitals nationwide. The role focuses on clinical excellence, customer-centric care, and professional development through structured coaching and learning opportunities. Ongoing training, clinical student loan repayment, and continuing education stipends support long-term growth. Leadership pathways include formal mentorship responsibilities and schedule ownership. Comprehensive benefits begin on day one and include health and wellness programs, equity eligibility after one year, and generous time-off policies.

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.