Veterinary Medical Director – Specialty & Emergency Hospital

Medical Director Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital 📍 Hickory, North Carolina Lead Medicine. Shape Strategy. Elevate Specialty & Emergency Care. Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital is seeking an accomplished Medical Director to provide clinical leadership for our growing specialty and emergency hospital in Hickory, North Carolina. This opportunity is ideal for a board-certified specialist or residency trained veterinarian with a strong background in specialty and/or emergency medicine and a passion for leadership. Whether you're looking to take the next step into hospital leadership or continue building on an established leadership career, you'll have the opportunity to influence medical excellence, mentor an exceptional team, and help shape the future of our hospital while maintaining an active clinical role. The Medical Director serves as the clinical leader of the hospital, setting medical standards, supporting a collaborative culture, and partnering with hospital leadership to drive excellence in patient care, team development, and operational success. This is a hands-on leadership role with dedicated administrative time built into the schedule. Qualifications DVM or equivalent veterinary degree Board-certified specialist or residency trained veterinarian with demonstrated expertise in specialty and/or emergency medicine will be considered Active North Carolina veterinary license (or eligibility for licensure)  Previous leadership experience preferred, or a strong desire to grow into a medical leadership role Commitment to evidence-based medicine and exceptional client communication Passion for mentorship, collaboration, and developing high-performing teams Key Responsibilities Provide medical leadership and oversight across emergency and specialty services Establish and uphold medical standards, protocols, and best practices Mentor and support veterinarians, interns, and support staff Partner with hospital administration on strategic planning, recruiting, and growth initiatives Maintain an active clinical caseload aligned with your expertise Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing hospital culture What We Offer Base salary range of $225,000–$275,000, commensurate with specialty, experience, and clinical production, plus an additional Medical Director stipend 25% production model, no negative accrual $100,000 Sign-on bonus Medical, dental, vision and life insurance 401(k) with company match CE allowance with paid CE time Paid parental leave and generous PTO Professional autonomy with strong operational support The opportunity to shape and grow specialty and emergency services in a key regional hospital Established referral and emergency hospital serving western North Carolina Advanced diagnostic equipment and modern facilities Collaborative team of specialists, emergency clinicians, highly skilled technicians, and dedicated support staff Strong leadership committed to high-quality medicine and sustainable practice Located in Hickory, NC, with easy access to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake Norman, Asheville, and Charlotte Whether you're a board-certified specialist or a residency-trained specialist with the leadership skills to guide a multidisciplinary team, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on a growing specialty and emergency hospital. Apply today or reach out for a confidential conversation. About Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital is a multi-specialty practice with specialists in internal medicine, surgery, behavior, rehabilitation and 24-hour emergency and critical care housed in a beautiful newly built 12,000-square-foot hospital in Hickory, NC. We have a spacious hospital with a fully staffed ICU with DVM and highly skilled 24 hr support team to manage a high volume patient case load with 12 exam rooms. In hospital we have comprehensive in house laboratory equipment that includes chemistry, cbc, epoc, blood gas, sedivue, fecal imagyst, telecytometry, ability to have consultation and recommendation from boarded radiologist and clinical pathologist for best in the moment patient care, oxygen therapy (multiple snyder icu cages and high flow).  We have the ability to provide superior specialty care with computed tomography, fluoroscopy, digital radiology, color-flow doppler ultrasound, endoscopy, minimally invasive surgical equipment, and comprehensive surgical instrumentation. We are able to provide radioactive iodine therapy for cats with hyperthyroidism and have a fully equipped rehabilitation suite with k- laser, e-stim, oasis underwater treadmill as well as exercise treadmill for assisting patients with pre and post op recovery. We have a team of highly skilled board-certified specialists, emergency clinicians,  veterinary technicians, and support staff that believe in compassionate care, always being prepared, supportive, excellence and quality in everything we do for our patients and encourage individuals who embrace a fast-paced atmosphere with honesty, positive attitude and transparency. Hear more about working with us from the team at Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital! Equal Opportunity Employer Policy Carolina Animal Specialty and Emergency is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify.  We are proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, or any other non-merit factor. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.