BluePearl Vet logo
BluePearl Vet
Olympia, Washington

Veterinary Emergency Department Lead Veterinarian

VeterinarianIncludes callIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$180K - $250K

Listing transparency4 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting and nights and shift pattern.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Includes call
Weekends
Includes weekends
Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

BluePearl Pet Hospital in Olympia, WA is seeking a full-time ER Service Head who will work side by side with our ER clinicians, specialists, and leadership team.

The annual salary range for this position is $180,000 to $250,000. This position is also eligible for an annual stipend of up to $15,000 and additionally may be eligible for a sign-on bonus and relocation assistance.

BluePearl also offers additional ancillary benefits, including, but not limited to, shift differentials and weekend differentials. These ancillary benefits may fluctuate by region and/or hospital. Please discuss specific ancillary benefits with your interviewer.

The ideal candidate will have a DVM from accredited university and will have successfully completed an internship and have at least three years of ER experience. Previous leadership experience preferred.

As an ER Service Head, you will

  • Manage the schedule for all ER Clinicians, including PTO requests.
  • Facilitate regular ER Clinician meetings and participate in hospital leadership meetings.

Mentor ER Clinicians and new ER/ICU support staff. Oversee ER Clinician case management and providing guidance as needed on case management decisions.

Integrate the emergency and specialty services to successfully manage all hospitalized cases. The ER Service Head will act as the sounding board between ER Clinicians and Specialty Clinicians and discuss any concerns with the Medical Director as they arise.

Assist in implementation and monitoring of patient safety reporting as it pertains to the emergency department.

Actively contribute to recruiting new Emergency Clinicians. Ensure new hires have been assigned a mentor by the clinician mentor liaison to support retention and engagement.

Assist in customer service issues as needed and help management to follow up to resolve issues as appropriate.

Partner with hospital leadership to identify opportunities and implement new initiatives for improvement of ER patient care, medical protocols, and client service levels.

Stay abreast of hospital environment and issues of concern, working collaboratively with the Medical Director and work in collaboration with P&O and hospital leadership regarding all ER/ICU personnel issues. Assist with performance reviews.

  • Assist management team with client and pDVM concerns when necessary.
  • Work with management team to oversee capital purchases for ICU/ER department.

We are truly in this together. We work to provide exceptional specialty and emergency care for pets by supporting each other through our shared passion, knowledge, and talents.

Life in Olympia

Olympia, the capitol of Washington state, boasts one of the PNW's best places to live. There is a mix of urban and suburban vibes, and the Capitol building provides an amazing backdrop to a wonderfully appointed city. Enjoy coffee from one of myriad downtown coffee shops while watching the sunrise over the Puget Sound. Browse a museum or catch a local play. Sample some (or all) of the small breweries and distilleries in the area. There is a new state-of-the-art craft district that brings together food, drink, shopping, and concerts under the shadow of the original Olympia brewery (thecraftdistrict.com). Bike or hike one of the many miles of trails in the Capitol Forest, along the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean, or along one of the well-developed rails-to-trails paths. Mt. Rainier’s magic is just moments away ready to share amazing scenic beauty and adventures. The Olympic Peninsula provides a lifetime of exploration for even the most ardent adventurer. Olympia is a great place for professionals and families. It offers wonderful housing opportunities right downtown, in suburban neighborhoods, or on acreage. There is a diverse industry and government presence making career opportunities prolific. A visit to Seattle is a moment away. However, one may find everything they could dream of without leaving this wonderful “big” little community.

Why choose BluePearl?

As the premier specialty and emergency veterinary organization we strive to advance the profession through our dedication to continuous learning, medical quality improvement, medical leadership training, and many other initiatives. Through our network of hospitals across the country our investments in the profession have far reaching positive impacts, and leaders in our organization have an opportunity to drive that progress.

Because we encourage Associate growth, you will be surrounded by a group of dedicated, experienced team members. We also focus on developing our Associates into leaders through talent development programs and leadership workshops. In addition, we offer annual continuing education allowance, free continuing education sessions, and our own BluePearl University for training.

We value your health and well-being as an Associate by providing you with the following benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, parental leave, and floating holiday plans, 401(k) and life insurance options.

  • Company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
  • Flexible work schedules.

A regional licensed social worker who can provide guidance, advice, and tips/tricks on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle while working in a fast-paced emergency and specialty care environment. In addition, access to 12 mental health care sessions annually at no charge to you, and other well-being resources through Lyra, an online mental health support platform.

  • Annual company store allowance.
  • Trupanion pet insurance and discounts to our associates for pet treatments, procedures, and food.

Free subscription to VetGirl, the number one veterinary CE resource for busy veterinary professionals. Free RECOVER Rescuer certification/re-certification and discounted Fear Free Certification. Access to the Mars Center for Veterinary Excellence platform.

BluePearl is committed to a diverse work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation or affectional preference, or gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.

Why BluePearl? Because it is an exceptional place to work!

Key Responsibilities

Lead the emergency department by managing clinician schedules, mentoring staff, and overseeing case management decisions. Collaborate with hospital leadership and specialty clinicians to improve patient care protocols and resolve client concerns.

Requirements

Requires a DVM from an accredited university, completion of an internship, and at least three years of ER experience. Previous leadership experience is preferred.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
5+ years of experience

Key Skills

Emergency Veterinary MedicineClinical LeadershipStaff MentoringSchedulingMedical Protocol ImplementationCapital Purchase OversightInterdisciplinary Collaboration

Veterinary Emergency Medicine Career Context

Of the 50 active Veterinarian listings this role was benchmarked against, 68% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

Veterinarian pay on WeekdayDoc is down 16.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$215k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $201k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$215k midpoint, that is roughly $9k–$15k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Veterinarian Jobs

19 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution19 jobs · 18 employers

11
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4
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1
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3
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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks19 jobs · 18 employers

Sign-on bonus
95% this job
CME allowance
95% this job
401k / retirement match
95% this job
Relocation assistance
68% this job
Loan repayment
11%

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Work-life snapshot

1.5/ 10
Listing-based score

A signal to investigate—not a guarantee about the workplace.

  • Includes call
  • Includes weekends

Living in Olympia

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$523k
Typical market rent
$2,005/mo
Residents’ average commute
20 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
103.7
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

BluePearl Vet logo

About BluePearl Vet

Veterinary Services
Tampa, Florida
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental, vision
Paid time off
Parental leave
Floating holidays
401(k)
Life insurance
Short-term and long-term disability
Flexible work schedules