Area Medical Director - Northern Virginia

Want to step into a leadership role or are you a current Medical Director looking for more? We are hiring an Area Medical Director!

Location: 3 Hospitals in the Northern Virginia Area

Position Summary

The Area Veterinary Medical Director is responsible for providing strategic medical leadership for hospitals within a designated geographic region. This role ensures the highest standards of patient care, drives clinical excellence, and partners with hospital leadership to improve operational performance.

The Area Medical Director plays a critical role in mentoring veterinarians, strengthening hospital culture, and identifying opportunities for growth through data-driven insights and key performance indicators (KPIs). Key Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Patient Care

Uphold and advance standards of veterinary medicine, ensuring high-quality, compassionate patient care across all hospitals.

Promote best practices in veterinary medicine, including diagnostic approaches, treatment planning, and client communication

Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and ethical guidelines.

Demonstrate a working understanding of veterinary business operations, including workflow efficiency, patient flow, client experience, and financial awareness.

Help Veterinarians and Administrators in formulating strategic initiatives specific to their hospital; assist in monitoring progress

Work in the hospitals seeing patients, providing direct mentorship and clinical guidance to Associate veterinarians, with a focus on building confidence and competency in general practice and surgery.

Foster a positive culture and collaborative work environment promoting continuous learning, psychological safety, and teamwork.

Doctor Performance & Development

• Mentor, coach, and support veterinarians to enhance clinical skills, confidence, and professional growth with specific goals and timelines for mentee performance.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide actionable feedback.
• Identify training needs and facilitate continuing education opportunities.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and retention of veterinary talent.

Hospital Performance & Operational Excellence

Partner with hospital leadership to oversee doctor productivity and overall hospital performance.

Analyze KPIs (e. g., revenues, efficiency, case outcomes, client satisfaction, medical quality metrics) to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

• Develop and implement strategic, data-driven plans to improve hospital performance and efficiency.
• Optimize hospital flow, including scheduling, workflow processes, and patient throughput.
• Drive consistency in medical and operational standards across all locations.

Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement

• Create and execute short- and long-term strategic plans for hospital growth and performance improvement.
• Identify inefficiencies and implement solutions to streamline operations and enhance patient care.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align medical initiatives with business objectives.

Leadership & Culture

• Promote a positive, collaborative, and inclusive hospital culture that reflects organizational values.
• Lead by example, fostering accountability, teamwork, and high engagement among staff.
• Provide effective leadership during times of change, growth, and/or operational challenges.
• Support conflict resolution and encourage open communication within teams.

Relationship Building

• Strengthen relationships with hospital leaders, veterinarians, and support staff.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and partner to the hospital teams.
• Build strong connections with clients and the community to enhance trust and reputation.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or equivalent) required.
• Minimum of 5 years of clinical practice experience required.
• Active veterinary license in good standing (or ability to obtain licensure in Virginia).
• Leadership or multi-site oversight experience preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently between hospitals in designated area of responsibility.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Clinical excellence and medical judgment
• Leadership and team development
• Operational and financial acumen
• Communication and relationship-building
• Change management and adaptability

Compensation, Benefits, & Schedule

• Salary range for this position starting at $150k annually with 20% production bonus potential.
• Annual Medical Director bonus based on individual as well as hospital performance.

Lakefield offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with company match; paid time off; paid holidays; paid parental leave; generous CE allowance; pet care discounts and more.

Full-time 40 hours per week in the hospitals. This is not a remote role.

Let's chat!

Please contact Megan Cross, Talent Acquisition Partner, at megan.cross@lakefieldvet.com with any questions or to submit your resume.

About Lakefield Veterinary Group

We believe exceptional veterinary care starts with exceptional people. We partner with hospitals across the country to preserve what makes each practice special - its people, culture, and connection to community - while providing the operational support, resources, and strategic leadership that allow teams to thrive. As we grow, we remain committed to creating an environment where team members feel respected, supported, and empowered to deliver outstanding care.

Our Values

• Our culture is built on five core values that guide us in the way we work:
• Respect
• Learning
• Do the right thing
• Wow service
• Fun
• We expect all team members to actively demonstrate these values in their daily work and interactions.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Lakefield Veterinary Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members and applicants. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Keywords: Veterinarian, Associate Veterinarian, Lead Veterinarian, DVM, VMD, Medical Director