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.

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.

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

• 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

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.

• 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

Joining Friendship Hospital for Animals means being part of the esteemed EVG Specialty Network (). Benefit from the collective expertise and resources of a network dedicated to advancing veterinary care. Enjoy access to continuing education, collaboration opportunities, and the support of a community committed to excellence in veterinary medicine.
Join us in our mission to provide exceptional primary care for our animal patients. If you are passionate about advancing veterinary medicine and want to work with cutting‑edge technology, we would love to hear from you!

Friendship Hospital for Animals is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

• 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