Medical Director

Lead. Inspire. Elevate Veterinary Care.

Are you a compassionate veterinarian ready to take the next step in your career? Island Animal Hospital, part of the Cara Veterinary network, is searching for a Medical Director to lead our talented team, shape medical standards, and help our hospital thrive as a trusted community hub for pets and their people.

About the Location

Talk about being in the center of everything! Mercer Island is a suburb sitting in the middle of Lake Washington just outside the city of Seattle, and it’s a wonderful place to call home.

We’re known for low crime, excellent schools, an inclusive, vibrant community, and of course the best possible access to lake sports like boating, kayaking, and swimming. Our own downtown has wonderful restaurants and pubs, but if you need a city fix, everything Seattle has to offer is just minutes away. And, of course, nearly everyone here loves animals, so you’ll feel very at home.

The Opportunity

As our Medical Director, you’ll combine your clinical expertise with strategic leadership to guide a dedicated team and deliver exceptional care. You’ll have the autonomy to make local decisions that best serve your patients and team—while enjoying the support and resources of the Cara Veterinary network.

You’ll Partner Closely with the Hospital Director To

• Lead, coach, and mentor a talented veterinary team
• Set and uphold standards of medical excellence
• Support recruiting, training, and professional development
• Build meaningful relationships with clients and the local community
• Foster a collaborative, positive, and authentically human culture
• This role is ideal for a veterinarian who loves leading people as much as caring for pets.

What We Offer

• We invest in you so you can invest in your team and patients.
• Compensation & Rewards
• Salary: $135,000–$180,000 (commensurate with experience)
• Annual Leadership Stipend – $10,000 per calendar year paid out on a quarterly basis
• Quarterly Incentive Program – up to $20,000 earning potential per calendar year based on hospital performance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Health & Well-Being
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plan options)
• Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)- medical, dependent care, and commuter benefit options available
• Time Off & Flexibility
• 120 hours of PTO per year
• 6 Floater Holidays annually
• 40 hours of paid CE time
• 10 hours for Personal Celebration Day
• Professional Growth
• $3,000 annual CE allowance
• VIN, AVMA/WSVMA, and one additional membership covered
• Washington State Veterinary License and DEA license reimbursement
• PLIT coverage under Cara Veterinary
• Leadership development and mentorship opportunities

Perks

• Employee pet care discount (up to 4 pets)
• Annual uniform allowance
• Authentically human, collaborative culture focused on well-being and balance

What You Bring

• You’re a seasoned clinician with a passion for people. You:
• Communicate with empathy and clarity
• Advocate fiercely for patients and your team
• Value collaboration and continuous learning
• Thrive in a fast-paced, community-focused environment
• Are adaptable, accountable, and driven by purpose

Why Cara Veterinary?

Our Five Pillars Guide Everything We Do

• Put Pets First – Every decision starts with what’s best for the pet
• Trust the Parent – We partner with pet parents as equals
• Authentically Human – We lead with empathy, accountability, and transparency
• Good Neighbors – We’re part of the community we serve
• Shake Things Up – We innovate and challenge the status quo
• Join a network where your voice matters, your growth is supported, and your leadership creates real impact.

Ready to Lead?

• If you’re ready to shape the future of Island Animal Hospital and lead with heart, we’d love to meet you.
• Apply today with your resume and a brief cover letter sharing why you’re excited about this opportunity.

Cara Veterinary is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.

Requirements

Summary of Job Purpose and Function

As the Medical Director, you are not only a pinnacle of decision-making within your hospital but also the individual responsible for cultivating the very essence of your practice; from selecting and developing the best support staff to pet patient care and the client journey.

Your role is paramount, overseeing a team of DVMs and the Hospital Director. You are responsible for driving the implementation of the Cara Veterinary Pillars and Core Competencies, setting the gold standard for patient care, defining the highest Quality of Care, and crafting exceptional clientpatient journeys.

Your influence touches every aspect of your practice. This role requires in practice presence a minimum of 4 days per week seeing patients as well as weekly time outside of patient care as business requires.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Team Leadership: Provide visionary leadership and set the standards for the DVM team, embodying Cara Veterinary's Pillars, and Core Competencies.

DVM Team Management: Oversee the performance, development, and professional growth of all associate DVMs in the practice.

Training and Mentorship: Establish a culture of learning and mentorship among the DVMs, ensuring they have access to and participate in ongoing professional development.

Client-Centered Service: Ensure a client-centered approach is consistently practiced by all DVMs, emphasizing open communication, trust, and empathy.

Patient Care Oversight: Supervise and guide DVMs in delivering the highest quality patient care, upholding a vision that supports the best pain control, safe anesthetic practices, wellness care, and more.

Standards of Care: Set and enforce the highest Quality of Care and provide direct, regular feedback to DVMs in case management or medical decisions.

Conflict Resolution: Address any conflicts or issues that arise among DVMs, promoting a harmonious work environment.

Medical Record Review: Actively engage in medical record review to ensure excellence in documentation and care among the DVM team.

Innovation and Learning: Encourage the DVMs to stay up-to-date by reading journals, attending CE events, and sharing knowledge with the team.

Equipment and Medication Oversight: Collaborate with your DVM’s on decisions regarding hospital products, drugs, equipment, and ensure proper drug log practices.

Workflow Streamlining: Maximize the team's efficiency and productivity through guidance and support, helping to streamline daily routines.

Continuous Improvement: Work with the Hospital Director to implement quality improvement and medical initiatives, ensuring the highest medical standards.

Support Team Collaboration: Foster teamwork and cooperation between DVMs, support team members, and the Hospital Director, promoting a united practice.

Continuing Education Advocate: Act as a proponent of continuing education, both for yourself and the DVM team, facilitating access to professional development opportunities.

Client Experience Enhancement: Collaborate with the Hospital Director to enhance the client experience, ensuring that clients receive timely, quality service.

Financial Accountability: Ensure that DVMs understand financial and compliance reports, working with the Hospital Director to meet medical and operational excellence goals.

Budget and Goal Planning: Partner with the Hospital Director and Cara Support Center to plan yearly hospital goals, including the operating plan and budget.

Revenue Growth: Collaborate to consider changes in hospital hours, services, and DVM availability, emphasizing the importance of charge capture to the DVM team. Essential Responsibilities and Tasks The following is a list of essential job requirements. This list may be revised at any time and additional duties not listed here may be assigned as needed. Job Functions and Job Responsibilities include overseeing that the following occur within the hospitals.

Medical Quality

Ensures highest quality patient care (pain control, safe anesthetic practices, wellness care, care for hospitalized patients etc.) and medical decision making by the associate DVM team

Determines Standard Operating Procedures for the hospital – including handling of patients with infectious disease, isolation protocols, anesthesia prep/monitoring standards etc.

Works with the associate DVM team to deliver a consistent message to team and clients regarding patient care, case management and Quality of Care. Provides Chief Operating Officer with direct feedback on associate DVM case management problems or in cases where mistakes were made. Performs an internal review in such circumstances and revises protocols when appropriate.

• Provides Director of Medicine feedback on medical record review of associate DVM’s
• Along with the Chief Operating Officer, and Hospital Director, decides on products/ drugs for hospital to carry as well as equipment purchases
• Ensures drug log practices in place + secure
• Stays medically current by reading journals, attending CE events. Shares knowledge gained with associate veterinarians, technicians and other veterinarians within our hospital network
• Supports practice medical initiatives and ensures successful implementation within the hospital
• With Hospital Director ensures appropriate technical team training structure and implementation
• Plans, organizes, and conducts routine doctor meetings
• Ensures equipment problems/needs are delegated to the appropriate individual.
• Ensures the doctors schedule covers the hospital without being short doctors (Hospital Director can help to find other practice doctors to cover shifts or relief doctors, if needed)

Team

The Medical Director is a key “problem solver” within the hospital and a go-to person for team members in need. The Medical Director also sets the mood/team outlook for the practice. They are the ‘on the floor’ director of medical team to maximize efficiency