Veterinarian, Medical Director

About the Role

This is your chance to step into a medical director position at a practice that values both clinical excellence and genuine work-life balance. You'll be leading a team of veterinarians and technicians at Calgary Trail Animal Hospital, but this role goes far beyond day-to-day caseload — you're helping to build the culture, mentor emerging veterinarians, and shape clinical standards for the practice.

As Medical Director, you'll balance hands-on patient care with leadership responsibilities. The practice emphasizes collaborative, team-based medicine and invests heavily in continuous learning through its extensive in-house medical library and mentorship resources. You'll work in a friendly, professional environment where your input on scheduling, equipment planning, and clinical protocols genuinely matters.

Edmonton offers an excellent quality of life — vibrant restaurant and cultural scenes, easy access to outdoor recreation, and a welcoming community. The practice is part of VCA Canada's national network, so you'll have access to shared resources and professional development opportunities across the entire organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of veterinarians and technicians
• Support recruitment, performance reviews, coaching, and ongoing training initiatives
• Ensure excellence in patient care, client communication, and safety protocols
• Oversee medical standards, policies, and clinical program implementation
• Collaborate on scheduling, productivity goals, budgeting, and equipment planning
• Act as the responsible veterinarian, ensuring regulatory compliance
• Foster a positive, collaborative hospital culture through effective leadership and communication

Requirements

• Valid veterinarian licence allowing practice in Canada
• Experience in soft tissue surgical procedures, preventative care, and nutritional advice
• Demonstrated commitment to team-based medicine practices
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with colleagues, pet parents, and the community
• Passion for coaching and mentoring veterinarians early in their careers
• Interest in attending conferences and networking with colleagues
• Love for companion animals

Benefits

• RRSP employer match at 5%
• VCA Canada Student Loan RRSP Program
• Generous compensation and sign-on bonuses
• Six-month mentorship program through VCA Academy (for new graduates or those new to primary care)
• Medical library access with 2,000+ journals, 600+ textbooks, and research resources
• Continuing education support
• Licensing, membership dues, and conference fees covered
• Referral bonuses
• Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
• Paid wellness days
• Employee assistance program
• E-tools for meditation, sleep, exercise, and focus
• Virtual healthcare (telehealth) for quick access to quality care
• Professional liability insurance coverage
• Community volunteer opportunities through VCA Canada initiatives
• Immigration support
• Career and leadership development pathways (medical advisory board roles, special projects)

About the Practice

Calgary Trail Animal Hospital is part of VCA Canada, one of the country's largest veterinary healthcare networks. The practice is dedicated to creating a collaborative, learning-focused environment where professional growth and balanced lifestyle are genuinely encouraged. With access to VCA's extensive network of hospitals across Canada, you'll benefit from shared resources, mentorship programs, and career advancement opportunities while maintaining the local community feel that makes the practice special.

The team understands that sustainable excellence in veterinary medicine requires investing in your wellbeing — flexible scheduling, wellness resources, and transparent communication are built into how the practice operates.