Medical Director - Cedar Rapids, IA

About the role

This position leads medical strategy and culture at the Cedar Rapids hospital as an emergency veterinarian and visionary leader. The role drives clinical excellence, patient safety, and team growth in alignment with VEG values. You will define and own the medical vision for your hospital, ensuring it is executed at every level of care. You own the development of your team through coaching, feedback, and professional growth initiatives that create a high-functioning environment. You will serve as the clinical champion, setting standards and providing clear context so that every team member understands the why behind decisions. You remove operational and procedural obstacles so your teams can focus on patient care and sustainable performance. You hold yourself and others accountable to the highest standards of integrity, safety, and service. Your leadership is measured by the long-term health of the team, the quality of care delivered, and the retention of top talent.

Key facts

What you'll do

Lead daily team meetings to strengthen relationships, uphold medical quality, address team member concerns, monitor hospital performance, and protect clinical team well-being.

Champion a hospital-wide patient safety initiative that monitors and improves clinical and operational standards to ensure consistent delivery of safe, high-quality emergency veterinary care.

Design and execute doctor recruitment strategies, optimize candidate experience, and drive succession planning in collaboration with talent partners to support a reliable pipeline of qualified veterinary professionals.

Establish and implement hospital marketing strategies in partnership with the market owner to strengthen community awareness and engagement in the local Cedar Rapids market.

Create and maintain the doctor schedule to meet operational needs while supporting fair workload distribution, directly affecting service capacity and team sustainability.

Ensure strict compliance with federal, state, and local regulations across all hospital operations to protect the organization, team members, and clients in all jurisdictions served.

Analyze department metrics and translate data into actionable plans that improve throughput, quality, and team performance.

Facilitate cross-functional collaboration with hospital leadership to align clinical operations with business objectives and customer expectations.

Develop and oversee standardized protocols and workflows that enhance consistency, safety, and efficiency in emergency care delivery.

Mentor and coach veterinarians and support staff to elevate clinical skills, confidence, and engagement.

Drive continuous improvement projects that enhance the patient and client experience without compromising safety or quality.

Act as the primary medical contact for complex cases, providing guidance and oversight in high-acuity scenarios.

Foster a culture of psychological safety where team members can voice concerns, provide feedback, and contribute to solutions.

Support the implementation and optimization of medical records systems, diagnostic equipment, and emergency treatment protocols.

Requirements

The posting states a bachelor's degree requirement. A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD), or equivalent degree is mandatory for this role and must meet or exceed standards for veterinary practice in the region.

You must possess 5 or more years of traditional 24/7 emergency experience and critical case management, with a proven track record of consistent performance in high-volume settings.

You must demonstrate a passionate commitment to customer satisfaction through the highest level of medical care for patients, with an unwavering dedication to client communication and trust.

Training in emergency surgery or endoscopy is preferred, and such experience supports broader clinical capabilities and procedural confidence.

You must have leadership skills training and mentorship experience, and these capabilities help guide junior team members and foster professional growth.

You must be willing to work in a noisy environment with strong or unpleasant odors, requiring resilience in challenging clinical conditions.

You must be available to work nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating or as needed basis to align with hospital coverage demands.

You must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with people from diverse backgrounds and different personality types, supported by high emotional intelligence for teamwork and client interactions.

You must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds occasionally to perform duties safely and effectively.

You must maintain current licensure in good standing for the state of practice and comply with all continuing education requirements.

You must pass a pre-employment drug screening and background check as required by law and hospital policy.

You must adhere to all veterinary medical protocols, safety standards, and ethical guidelines established by VEG.

You must comply with all HIPAA and privacy regulations when handling client and patient information.

You must be willing to participate in on-call rotations as scheduled and required by hospital operations.

You must demonstrate strong critical thinking and decision-making skills under pressure in a dynamic emergency setting.

You must follow all documentation standards and quality assurance processes to ensure accurate and timely medical records.

You must support the professional development and growth of your team through structured feedback and coaching.

You must be prepared to travel as required for hospital business, meetings, or training events.

Practical notes

This position is based at VEG Cedar Rapids. Work location and schedule details are confirmed Full-time credentialed team members receive a $2,500 per year travel stipend; full-time uncredentialed team members receive a $1,000 per year travel stipend.

Good to know

Veterinary emergency medicine operates in fast-paced, high-stress clinical settings.

The role involves leadership, mentorship, and clinical decision-making.

Common tools include medical records systems, diagnostic equipment, and emergency treatment protocols.

The position supports continuous learning, clinical training, and professional development.

Strong communication and empathy are essential when working with clients and multidisciplinary teams.