Lead Emergency Veterinarian

Friendship Hospital for Animals (FHA) is seeking an experienced and driven Lead Emergency Veterinarian to join our high-volume, multi-specialty hospital in Washington, DC. This full-time leadership role offers the opportunity to practice the highest level of emergency medicine while mentoring a dedicated team in a collaborative and supportive 24/7 hospital environment.

About Friendship

Friendship is a 30,000+ sq ft AAHA-accredited hospital with a robust Emergency & Critical Care department supported by a dedicated ICU and a team of boarded critical care specialists. We offer 24-hour emergency care and house a full range of specialty services, including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Cardiology, Neurology, Oncology, Radiology, Nephrology, Anesthesiology, and more. Our culture prioritizes teamwork, continuous learning, and compassionate patient care.

The Role

As Lead Emergency Veterinarian, you will:

• Serve as the clinical leader for the Emergency Service


• Provide mentorship and guidance to ER doctors and interns


• Champion high-quality, consistent patient care across the ER


• Oversee complex case management and collaborate with Critical Care and specialty services


• Participate in ER rounds, case discussions, and the development of clinical protocols


• Foster a culture of teaching, learning, and professional growth


• Support recruitment, onboarding, and performance development of ER clinicians

Schedule & Culture

• Flexible schedule with participation in a shared rotation of holidays and weekends


• Strong, collaborative hospital culture with open communication and shared goals


• Emphasis on work-life balance and mutual support across departments

Reporting Structure

This role reports directly to the Hospital Medical Director and works collaboratively with the Specialty/ER Practice Manager to lead departmental operations and support hospital-wide initiatives.

Qualifications

• DVM or equivalent degree; licensed (or eligible) in the District of Columbia


• Minimum 5 years of experience in emergency veterinary medicine


• Prior leadership experience required


• Advanced clinical skills in emergency and critical care


• Passion for mentorship, teamwork, and continuous improvement

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $275,000 – $325,000/year, commensurate with experience


• Bonus potential


• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k), CE allowance, PTO, and more