Location: Calgary, Alberta
Reports To: National Medical Director
Travel: Approximately 40% within the region
About the Role

The Regional Medical Director plays a pivotal role in advancing veterinary medical excellence across a group of hospitals in Western Canada. This is a unique opportunity to combine clinical expertise, operational insight, and strategic influence to support teams, elevate standards of care, and shape the future of veterinary medicine in the region.

Working closely with the National Medical Director and Regional Operations leadership, you will serve as a trusted advisor, mentor, and hands-on leader. This will include coaching DVMs, supporting clinic operations, and helping hospitals deliver exceptional patient care while achieving sustainable results.

This role balances clinical practice (3 days per week) with regional leadership responsibilities, enabling you to stay connected to patients and teams while making a meaningful, lasting impact.
Why This Role Matters

Veterinary medicine is evolving rapidly, and strong medical leadership has never been more important. At VetCare, our Regional Medical Directors play a critical role in shaping the future of the profession supporting veterinarians, strengthening clinical standards, and building environments where teams can thrive.

You will influence care across multiple hospitals, mentor the next generation of veterinarians, and foster a culture where medical excellence and team well-being go hand in hand.

You will work alongside experienced medical and operational leaders who believe great veterinary medicine is built through collaboration, trust, and continuous learning. For veterinarians passionate about leadership and peer support, this role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact.
Reality of the Role

This is a highly visible and multifaceted leadership position. Success requires balancing clinical practice, mentorship, and operational partnership across a region of hospitals.

• Clinic presence is essential: You will spend significant time observing, coaching, and supporting veterinary teams
• Influence over authority: Many veterinarians are experienced clinicians, success depends on your ability to guide and mentor, not just direct
• Operational balance: High-quality medical care must be aligned with operational realities
• Travel is a regular part of the role: Building relationships requires in-person support across hospitals
• Challenging situations: You will support teams through complex cases, complaints, and professional challenge

For the right candidate, this role offers the opportunity to shape the future of veterinary medicine in Western Canada.
Key Responsibilities
Medical Leadership & Quality of Care

• Champion high standards of care across all regional hospitals
• Educate and influence veterinary teams to embrace evidence-based medical practices
• Support the implementation of medical standards, protocols, and quality-of-care frameworks
• Review medical records, clinical outcomes, and reports to identify opportunities for improvement
• Partner with the National Medical Director to develop and implement new protocols and guidelines

Coaching, Mentorship & Clinical Development

• Observe, coach, and mentor veterinarians in-clinic and across the region
• Support Managing DVMs in building strong medical leadership within their hospitals
• Facilitate mentorship programs for new and early-career veterinarians
• Promote continuous learning by coordinating peer-to-peer learning opportunities and training initiatives
• Strengthen diagnostic, surgical, and dental capabilities regionally

Operational Partnership

• Partner with Regional Operations Managers and Practice Managers to ensure hospitals deliver both excellent patient care and sustainable business performance
• Provide medical insight for operational decision-making, ensuring alignment between clinical and business goals
• Use hospital data and key performance indicators to identify opportunities to strengthen client compliance, doctor productivity, RVT utilization, and overall hospital efficiency
• Contribute to the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Support clinics in translating insights from medical records, workflows, and performance metrics into practical improvements in patient outcomes and team effectiveness

Regulatory Compliance & Professional Standards

• Ensure hospitals remain compliant with provincial veterinary regulatory requirements
• Conduct compliance reviews and support clinics in maintaining professional and regulatory standards
• Stay informed on evolving regulations and communicate implications to hospital teams
• Support the management of veterinary board complaints and complex medical concerns

Doctor Engagement, Recruitment & Retention

• Partner with Talent Acquisition to identify, assess, and recruit DVM candidates
• Participate in key interviews and represent VetCare at industry and university events
• Support initiatives that enhance veterinarian engagement, professional satisfaction, and retention
• Provide guidance to Managing DVMs and associate veterinarians on career development and well-being

Regional Leadership & Culture

• Foster a collaborative and supportive culture across hospitals
• Organize and lead regional DVM meetings and professional development events
• Promote an environment of psychological safety where teams feel supported to learn and grow
• Strengthen collaboration between veterinarians and support teams

Clinical Practice

• Maintain clinical practice approximately 3 days per week, supporting hospitals and maintaining direct patient care

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or equivalent) from an accredited university
• Licensed (or eligible for licensure) to practice veterinary medicine in Alberta
• Minimum 5-7 years of clinical experience in small animal medicine
• Demonstrated leadership experience in veterinary practice or multi-site environment
• Strong clinical proficiency in medicine, surgery, and dentistry
• Experience mentoring or coaching veterinarians is highly desirable
• Ability to interpret data and apply insights to improve medical and operational performance
• Willingness to travel within the region

What Success Looks Like in Your First Year

• Build strong relationships with Managing DVMs and veterinary teams across the region
• Establish yourself as a trusted medical advisor to doctors and operations leaders
• Support mentorship plans for new and early-career veterinarians
• Help clinics strengthen diagnostic, surgical, and dental capabilities
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow efficiency and technician utilization
• Partner with leadership to implement medical standards and quality initiatives
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative culture where veterinarians feel supported, engaged, and proud of their work