Medical Director - Plymouth Heights Pet Hospital
Listed compensation
$150k-$170k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Lead Exceptional Medicine. Inspire Great People. Shape the Future.
Plymouth Heights Pet Hospital in New Hope, Minnesota is seeking a passionate and experienced Veterinary Medical Director to lead our doctors and help guide the clinical vision of our respected, AAHA-accredited, Fear Free Certified practice.
This is an exciting opportunity for a veterinarian who enjoys mentoring others, advancing medical excellence, and building a positive hospital culture where team members thrive and patients receive outstanding care.
Why Plymouth Heights Pet Hospital?
For more than 40 years, Plymouth Heights Pet Hospital has been a trusted part of our community. We are proud to be one of fewer than 10% of veterinary practices in Minnesota to achieve AAHA accreditation, reflecting our commitment to the highest standards of patient care.
Every member of our team is Fear Free Certified, and we are dedicated to creating a low stress experience for both pets and the people who love them. We believe in empowering our support staff, fostering professional growth, and creating an environment where every team member feels valued, respected, and supported.
Our Core Values Guide Everything We Do
- Respect
- WOW Service
- Continuous Learning
- Having Fun
- Doing the Right Thing
About the Role
As Medical Director, you will serve as the clinical leader of the hospital, helping to maintain and elevate our standards of care while fostering a collaborative and engaging work environment.
You will partner closely with hospital leadership to support doctor development, team engagement, operational success, and continued medical excellence. This role offers an ideal blend of clinical practice and leadership, allowing you to continue doing the medicine you love while helping shape the future of the hospital.
What You'll Do
- Provide hands-on clinical care, including surgery, dentistry, diagnostics, and preventive medicine
- Establish and maintain medical protocols and standards that support exceptional patient outcomes
Ensure Ongoing Compliance with AAHA Accreditation Standards
- Mentor and develop associate veterinarians through coaching, case collaboration, and continuing education
- Support recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and retention of veterinary talent
- Champion Fear Free and low-stress handling techniques throughout the hospital
- Collaborate with the Hospital Manager to optimize workflow, scheduling, and team utilization
- Help maximize the value of our advanced equipment, including digital radiography, dental radiology, therapeutic laser, and ultrasound
- Serve as a trusted resource for clients, referring veterinarians, specialists, and leadership partners
- Lead by example in promoting a culture of respect, accountability, learning, and teamwork
What We're Looking For
- DVM or equivalent veterinary degree
- Several years of small animal practice experience
- Strong surgical and dentistry skills
- Previous leadership, mentoring, or coaching experience preferred
- A passion for developing people and building strong teams
- Commitment to Fear Free, low-stress patient care
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- A collaborative leadership style focused on supporting and inspiring others
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary starting at $150,000 plus leadership and performance incentives with no negative accrual.
In Addition, We Offer
- Sign-on bonus
- Relocation assistance
- Performance-based bonus opportunities
- Generous paid time off
- Paid parental leave
- Continuing education allowance
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- AVMA membership dues
- AVMA PLIT coverage
- Professional development and leadership training
- Support from a family-owned veterinary organization that values clinical autonomy
Ready to Learn More?
Whether you're an experienced Medical Director or a veterinarian ready to take the next step into leadership, we'd love to start a conversation.
To learn more about the hospital and position please contact Joe Rusk at joe.rusk@lakefieldvet.com or apply at careers.lakefieldvet.com.
Join a team where exceptional medicine, strong relationships, and meaningful leadership come together.
Compensation Range
$150,000—$170,000 USD
Key Responsibilities
The Medical Director will lead the clinical vision of the hospital, ensuring high standards of patient care and AAHA compliance. They will also mentor associate veterinarians, manage team engagement, and oversee daily clinical operations.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a DVM or equivalent veterinary degree and possess several years of small animal practice experience. Strong surgical and dentistry skills, along with previous leadership or mentoring experience, are required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 5+ years of experience
Key Skills
Veterinary Medicine — Physician Career Context
Physician pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.0% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).
The cost-of-living index for Minnesota is 98.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$160k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $162k in an average-cost state. 63.4% of Minnesota clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $150k–$170k | Physician median $185k (middle half $150k–$194k)16 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$162k in purchasing power | Minnesota index 98.6 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Physician listings in Minnesota | 633 active | 22,548 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Minnesota Physician listings: 13% state a sign-on bonus · 23% offer loan repayment633 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Veterinary Medicine listings | 1,011 in the last 30 days | 513 the 30 days before (+97%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Physician pay trend | −2.0% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
Work-life snapshot
Listing-based score, 0–10, across 44 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.
Benefits & Perks
48 more from Lakefield Veterinary Group
- Veterinary Ophthalmologist · Bellevue, Washington$275k
- AAHA Accredited Hospital in Tucson Seeking FT Associate Veterinarian · Tucson, Arizona
- Associate Veterinarian - 5th Doctor Needed! - Wilderness Animal Hospital · Maple Valley, Washington
Living in New Hope
- Typical 3-bedroom home value
- $344k≈ 2.3× annual pay
- Typical market rent
- $1,359/mo≈ 11% of gross pay
- Residents’ average commute
- 19 min
- Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
- 104.8
- State income tax
- Up to 9.8%
Sources & methodology
Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.
BEA 2024 · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.
Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.