Lead Doctor - Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

About the role

This role supports clinical excellence and team development while upholding the VEG way across open-concept hospitals that treat emergency cases, including exotics. The position involves taking ownership of hospital operations and mentoring fellow doctors under the guidance of the medical director.

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

Handle medical inquiries over the phone as part of emergency intake.

Triage patients immediately using VEG protocols to ensure timely doctor visits and allow families to remain with their pets.

Share diagnosis and treatment options directly with customers.

Deliver treatments tailored to each pet's condition.

Maintain accurate medical records and review them for correctness.

Guide the professional growth of doctors through assigned development plans.

Support the Medical Director during call coverage or schedule adjustments.

Serve as interim Medical Director during absences or new hospital launches.

Lead monthly clinical conferences and morbidity-mortality reviews with Medical Director oversight.

Manage the New ER Doctor training program and execute associated teaching duties in teaching hospitals when required.

Resolve medical-related customer complaints.

Requirements

Possess a DVM, VMD, or equivalent credential.

Bring 2+ years of ER experience and critical case management.

Hold one year of leadership experience, though it is preferred but not mandatory.

Complete training in emergency surgery or endoscopy.

Adapt to a mix of clinical and administrative shifts.

Guarantee top-tier customer satisfaction and hospital revenue generation.

Lead and assist fellow doctors while handling administrative duties outside regular hours, such as call coverage and scheduling.

Work in settings with loud noise and strong or unpleasant odors.

Be available for nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating or as-needed basis based on hospital demand.

Perform effectively in fast-paced settings with diverse personalities.

Nice to have

One year of leadership experience is preferred but not required.

Skills & tools

Emergency veterinary medicine, diagnostic and therapeutic planning, medical documentation, customer communication, coaching and mentorship, schedule management.

Practical notes

This role requires clinical and administrative flexibility, including nights, weekends, holidays, and exposure to challenging environments. Travel may be needed between hospitals or for training. 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 operates in fast-paced, high-stress clinical settings where immediate decision-making saves lives. Teams rely on clear protocols, rapid triage, and strong communication to manage diverse cases, including exotics. Continuous learning, mentorship, and structured training programs support long-term career growth in veterinary practice.

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.