Senior Veterinary Medical Director

Company Description Amici Cannis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of dogs and cats in Cotacachi, Ecuador, and surrounding Indigenous communities. The team operates a busy veterinary hospital providing high-quality medical and surgical care to stray and owned dogs and cats, and animals whose caregivers would otherwise be unable to access treatment. As the only purpose-built facility in the country, the hospital is equipped to handle complex and urgent cases, and sees a wide variety of medical, surgical, emergency, and critical care patients, providing lifesaving treatment to animals in need. In addition to its direct service work in Ecuador, Amici Cannis serves as a valuable educational partner for veterinary students and professionals from the United States. The organization hosts veterinary student externships that provide hands-on clinical, surgical, emergency, and community medicine experience in a high-volume setting. Amici Cannis also delivers RACE-approved continuing education programs, bringing veterinarians, specialists, and veterinary students together to advance their knowledge and skills while supporting animal welfare initiatives in the region. Candidates joining the team will contribute directly to advancing animal welfare, providing high-quality veterinary care, and helping educate the next generation of veterinary professionals. Position Summary The Senior Veterinary Medical Director provides clinical leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for Amici Cannis Hospital Veterinario. This role is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of veterinary medicine, fostering a collaborative and ethical medical culture, and supporting the hospital’s long-term sustainability. In addition to leading the veterinary team and overseeing medical quality and compliance, the Senior Veterinary Medical Director plays a central role in managing and strengthening Amici Cannis’ International Veterinary Student Program and Visiting Veterinarian Program. As Amici Cannis expands its role as a provider of RACE-approved continuing education for veterinarians, the Senior Veterinary Medical Director is responsible for ensuring the quality, integrity, and educational impact of all clinical training programs. These programs are core to the hospital’s mission, educational impact, and financial sustainability, and must be thoughtfully integrated into daily hospital operations without compromising patient care or staff wellbeing. The Senior Veterinary Medical Director works closely with the CEO and Hospital Manager to align clinical excellence, education, culture, and financial performance in a dynamic, mission-driven, international veterinary environment. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Advancing Medical Care & Quality
• Provide overall medical leadership for the hospital, ensuring ethical, high-quality, and compassionate veterinary care.
• Oversee medical and surgical casesfor all veterinarians, ensuring: o Appropriate standards of care o Accurate treatment plans and estimates o Clear client communication and education
• Oversee complex and high-risk medical and surgical cases, providing clinical guidance and consultation to associate veterinarians.
• Ability to independently perform and oversee a wide range of veterinary medical and surgical procedures, particularly complex or high-risk cases.
• Setting standards for surgical decision-making, technique, pain management, and post-operative care.
• Work with leadership to establish, maintain, and continuously improve medical standards, protocols, and quality-of-care guidelines.
• Ensure smooth transfer and continuity of medical cases between veterinarians.
• Address client medical concerns or complaints that escalate beyond the scope of the veterinary team or hospital management.
• Communicate with referring veterinarians as needed and foster respectful, collaborative relationships within the wider veterinary community.
• Regularly review and audit medical records for quality, completeness, and compliance.
• Provide guidance on hospital medical inventory, pharmaceutical use, and equipment needs.
• Contribute to organizational strategy related to medical services, education, and sustainability
• Identify long-term risks and opportunities affecting clinical operations and training programs
• Ensure medical decision-making aligns with institutional mission and growth goals Leadership of Veterinarians & Medical Staff
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate associate veterinarians, promoting professionalism, accountability, and teamwork.
• Participate in recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and succession planning for veterinary staff.
• Delegate operational responsibilities appropriately while maintaining accountability for medical outcomes.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide structured feedback and professional development support.
• Promote clear communication, collaborative problem-solving, and consistent client-interaction standards. International Veterinary Student Program Oversight
• Provide strategic and clinical oversight of Amici Cannis’ International Veterinary Student Program.
• Ensure student participation: o Enhances patient care and learning o Respects hospital capacity and staff workflow o Meets ethical and educational standards
• Develop and maintain: o Appropriate supervision and mentoring frameworks o Evaluation and feedback processes
• Support veterinarians and staff involved in teaching and mentorship.
• Ensure cultural awareness, professionalism, and respect for the local community and staff among all students.
• Continuously evaluate and improve the program to support educational value and hospital sustainability. Visiting Veterinarian Program Oversight
• Oversee the Visiting Veterinarian Program as a strategic clinical, educational, and sustainability initiative.
• Ensure visiting veterinarians are: o Properly oriented to hospital medical protocols, workflows, and cultural context. o Integrated into teams in a manner that supports care quality, staff cohesion, and meaningful educational exchange.
• Verify appropriate credentials, scope of practice, and supervision requirements.
• Foster collaborative relationships between local veterinarians and visiting professionals.
• Ensure visiting programs contribute positively to: o Medical capacity o Knowledge exchange o Continuing professional development o Financial sustainability
• Oversee the clinical quality and educational integrity of all continuing education and surgical training activities conducted through the hospital, including RACE-approved programs.
• Ensure continuing education programs meet accreditation requirements, uphold the highest standards of patient care and participant learning, and are effectively integrated into hospital operations.
• Collaborate with instructors, hospital leadership, and external partners to evaluate program outcomes, strengthen educational offerings, and expand Amici Cannis' reputation as a center for excellence in veterinary surgery and professional education.
• Work with leadership to continuously refine program structure, educational impact, and long-term sustainability. Leading Staff & Hospital Culture
• Create a collaborative, respectful, and mission-aligned work environment.
• Support the Hospital Manager and supervisors in staff development, training, and conflict resolution.
• Oversee training and mentorship of medical staff.
• Deliver or coordinate continuing education opportunities for veterinarians and staff.
• Promote strong communication, trust, and teamwork across departments.
• Ensure hospital practices comply with veterinary laws, regulations, and animal welfare standards.
• Encourage culturally informed care and communication in all aspects of hospital operations. Financial Responsibility & Sustainability
• Share responsibility for the financial performance and sustainability of the hospital.
• Collaborate with leadership to: o Monitor key financial and operational metrics o Manage medical expenses responsibly o Minimize waste and control inventory costs
• Balance accessto care with sound medical and financial decision-making.
• Support revenue-generating programs that align with Amici Cannis’ mission and values.
• Serve as a hospital ambassador to partners, donors, and collaborators when appropriate. Qualifications
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
• Licensure in good standing.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of clinical veterinary experience, including leadership roles.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a veterinary hospital or clinical setting.
• Strong commitment to ethical medicine, education, and animal welfare.
• Excellent communication, mentorship, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead in a fast-paced, evolving, multicultural environment. Preferred Experience & Attributes
• Experience mentoring veterinary students or interns.
• Experience working with international or visiting veterinarians.
• Strong cross-cultural awareness and adaptability.
• Spanish proficiency preferred.
• Strategic thinker with a collaborative leadership style. Physical Requirements & Work Environment
• Ability to work in a busy hospital environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to stand, bend, lift, and perform physically demanding clinical tasks.
• Exposure to occupational hazards including animals, biological materials, chemicals, and medical equipment. Why Join Amici Cannis? Amici Cannis is dedicated to improving animal welfare through high-quality veterinary care, education, and culturally informed community engagement. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead medicine, shape international education, and build sustainable programs that make a lasting impact, both locally and globally