Description
Full-Time Emergency Veterinarian – Small Animal
The Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch is seeking a small animal Emergency Veterinarian to join our growing team. With 12 emergency veterinarians on staff, you’ll be part of a highly collaborative environment where support is always available and case discussion is encouraged.
About Our Hospital
The Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch is a privately owned, 18,500-square-foot Specialty, Emergency, and General Practice hospital located one hour south of Tampa and just minutes from Sarasota and Bradenton.
Our Emergency & Specialty hospital is designed for high-level care and collaboration, featuring 13 exam rooms, three surgery suites, two reception areas, a dedicated ICU, isolation facilities, a separate feline ward, and an on-site animal blood bank operated by our Critical Care team.
Our General Practice operates within the same facility with a separate entrance and includes 9 exam rooms, a surgery suite, and a dental suite—allowing for continuity of care across services.
Our hospital is equipped with advanced technology to support complex case management, including:
- CT (GE Maxima 128-slice), ultrasound (3 units), fluoroscopy, and endoscopy
- Mechanical ventilation, high-flow oxygen therapy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- IDEXX in-house laboratory (CBC, chemistry, urinalysis, PT/aPTT, lactate, i-STAT) and NOVA analyzer
- Digital radiology (2 suites), CardioPet, CardioStart defibrillator, and therapeutic laser
- Comprehensive anesthesia monitoring (HR, RR, EtCO, SpO, BP, temperature) and advanced blood pressure monitoring systems
Founded in 2018, our General Practice established a strong foundation in the community, followed by the opening of our Emergency & Specialty hospital in 2022. Together, we provide a collaborative, well-supported environment focused on delivering high-quality medicine.
Our multidisciplinary team currently includes specialists in:
Critical Care
Radiology
Surgery
Ophthalmology
SCHEDULE:
Our ER doctors typically work 10–12 shifts per month, with a schedule that includes overnights, holidays, weekends and day shifts. Applicants for this position should expect overnight shifts to make up approximately 50% of the monthly schedule.
BENEFITS:
Competitive salary
100% employer-covered health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
Simple IRA with employer matching
Paid vacation and holidays
Continuing education allowance and paid CE days
Professional dues and licensure covered
AVMA malpractice insurance
Uniform allowance
Access to advanced equipment and collaborative specialty support
Private Practice Advantage
Unlike corporate hospitals, we offer:
Clinical autonomy
Direct access to hospital leadership
Flexibility to shape and grow your service
Potential future ownership opportunities
Why Join Us?
We are a privately owned, veterinarian-led hospital committed to supporting our doctors and staff while providing exceptional patient care. You will have the resources, experienced support staff, and autonomy needed to practice high-quality medicine. Hospital owner Dr. Wendy Ellis has served the Bradenton–Sarasota community for over 20 years and remains deeply committed to maintaining a positive, collaborative workplace culture. We understand that compensation, schedule, and professional goals are key considerations when exploring a new opportunity and welcome confidential conversations prior to a formal interview.
If you have any questions at all about this position, please feel free to call/text Dr. Wendy Ellis at 941-266-0335 (cell) or email at ellis.vmc@gmail.com or Devon Diaz DVM, MS, DACVECC (Director of Specialty Growth and Development) 813-601-9697 (cell) or drdiaz.vmc@gmail.com
Requirements
DVM, minimum 2 years emergency experience.
