Lead Doctor, Palo Alto

About the role

This role guides emergency veterinary care in San Jose, supports doctors in delivering consistent, customer-focused treatment, and helps set clinical standards that shape how emergencies are handled at the 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 complete a full diagnosis for each pet, create a diagnostic and therapeutic plan, communicate options clearly to customers, and provide treatments that address each pet's specific condition. You maintain accurate medical records, explain the value of tests and treatments to clients, and resolve medical-related complaints when they arise. You coach fellow doctors on medical excellence, the VEG way of working, and customer-focused care, support their growth plans, and assist the Medical Director during callouts or schedule changes. You may act as interim Medical Director during transitions or new hospital openings, lead monthly doctor meetings and morbidity and mortality reviews with guidance from the Medical Director, and, in teaching hospital settings, own the New ER Doctor training program and perform all associated duties.

Requirements

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

Nice to have

Experience in a teaching hospital environment and prior participation in structured training or mentorship programs.

Skills & tools

Emergency veterinary medicine, clinical leadership, medical documentation, customer communication, and team coaching.

Practical notes

This role requires on-site presence based on hospital needs, and some travel may be necessary between locations. 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 moves quickly, and this role relies on fast decisions under pressure. Modern emergency teams combine medical expertise with strong communication and coaching skills. Ongoing learning, adaptability, and a focus on teamwork define success in this field.

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.