Lead Veterinarian – Sterling Heights, Michigan
Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan
Schedule: Full-time | Flexible scheduling | On-site
Practice: AAHA-accredited small animal general practice
Salary: $120,000–$170,000 per year + monthly production bonus with no negative accrual
Experience: Minimum 2 years of clinical veterinary experience
Leadership: DVM mentorship, clinical standards, team development, and operational involvement
Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare, 401(k) match, paid CE, leadership training, mentorship, PTO, paid parental leave, professional dues, licensing, and liability coverage
About the Role
An AAHA-accredited small animal veterinary practice in Sterling Heights, Michigan is seeking a Medical Lead Veterinarian to combine hands-on clinical medicine with meaningful veterinary leadership.
Offering a $120,000–$170,000 base salary plus monthly production bonuses with no negative accrual, this position provides an excellent opportunity for an experienced veterinarian ready to take greater responsibility for clinical standards, DVM development, and the continued growth of a successful hospital.
The Medical Lead Veterinarian will continue practicing as a clinician while serving as a mentor and leader for associate veterinarians. Responsibilities will include coaching DVMs, supporting individual development goals, leading doctor meetings, improving medical standards, and partnering with practice management on hospital performance.
The position also provides access to structured leadership training, mentorship, paid continuing education, specialist-led clinical education, and internal veterinary consultation, supporting continued development as both a clinician and veterinary leader.
About the Practice
The practice is an established AAHA-accredited small animal hospital in Sterling Heights, with a strong focus on high-quality medicine, collaborative patient care, and continued professional development.
Veterinarians are supported in managing complex cases through access to internal specialty consultation, allowing clinicians to collaborate on advanced diagnostics and treatment planning when required.
The practice places significant emphasis on continuous learning and provides structured opportunities for veterinarians to develop their clinical interests, expand surgical capabilities, and pursue future leadership goals.
Clinical development opportunities extend across areas including:
Dentistry
Oncology
Internal Medicine
Dermatology
Cardiology
Surgery
Advanced diagnostics
Leadership and practice management
The working environment combines local clinical autonomy with access to broader veterinary resources, consultation, continuing education, and professional development opportunities.
Located within the greater Detroit metropolitan area, Sterling Heights offers suburban living with convenient access to Detroit's cultural, entertainment, professional sports, and recreational amenities.
Responsibilities
Serve as the medical leader of the veterinary practice.
Provide high-quality small animal medicine while maintaining an active clinical caseload.
Lead, mentor, and support associate veterinarians.
Conduct regular performance and professional development discussions with DVM team members.
Coach veterinarians on individual clinical and performance goals.
Promote consistently high standards of medicine, patient care, client service, and clinical efficiency.
Foster a collaborative, engaged, and supportive veterinary team.
Partner with the Practice Manager on the overall performance and development of the hospital.
Contribute to annual operating and practice development planning.
Develop an understanding of hospital financial performance and help work toward agreed operational goals.
Lead regular veterinarian meetings covering clinical standards, best practices, and new services.
Identify opportunities to improve patient care and client experience.
Support the introduction and development of new clinical services.
Supervise and support veterinary externship and mentorship programs.
Encourage professional development and retention across the DVM team.
Support veterinary recruitment initiatives where appropriate.
Ensure compliance with relevant medical, professional, and DEA regulations.
Maintain accurate and complete patient medical records.
Utilize internal specialty consultation for complex cases where appropriate.
Represent the practice professionally through appropriate community engagement.
Participate in continuing education and ongoing leadership development.
Candidate Profile
Candidates should hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and possess an active veterinary license in good standing in Michigan, or be eligible to obtain appropriate state licensure.
A minimum of 2 years of practical clinical veterinary experience is required.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a collaborative, supportive leadership style and a genuine interest in mentoring veterinarians, developing teams, and maintaining high clinical standards.
Previous formal veterinary leadership experience may be beneficial, but candidates should primarily demonstrate the ability to build strong relationships, coach colleagues, communicate effectively, and take ownership of clinical quality.
Applicants should have excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills alongside strong clinical judgment and professionalism.
An understanding of veterinary hospital financial and operational management is advantageous, although candidates with a willingness to develop these skills are also encouraged.
Intermediate computer proficiency, including familiarity with standard office and communication software, is required.
This opportunity would particularly suit an experienced DVM looking to combine clinical practice, veterinarian mentorship, medical leadership, and practice development within a progressive small animal environment.
Compensation & Benefits
The position offers a $120,000–$170,000 annual base salary plus monthly production bonuses with no negative accrual, alongside comprehensive benefits and dedicated leadership development.
Benefits include:
$120,000–$170,000 annual base salary
Monthly production bonus
No negative accrual
Flexible scheduling
Paid time off
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Critical illness insurance
Hospital indemnity insurance
Life insurance
Accident insurance
Paid parental leave
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
100% employer match on the first 3% and 50% on the next 2%
Long-term disability insurance
Short-term disability insurance
Paid continuing education
Dedicated continuing education days
Structured leadership training
Structured mentorship
Specialist-led clinical education
CE across Dentistry, Oncology, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, and Cardiology
Internal specialty consultation and veterinary collaboration
Professional liability coverage paid
Veterinary license fees paid
Professional dues paid
Opportunities to develop clinical interests and leadership capabilities
AAHA-accredited clinical environment
For veterinarians searching for Lead Veterinarian jobs in Sterling Heights, MI, this opportunity combines a strong compensation package with hands-on medicine, DVM mentorship, leadership training, clinical autonomy, and long-term professional development.
Apply Today
If you are an experienced Veterinarian in Michigan looking to progress into a medical leadership position while remaining actively involved in clinical practice, this could be an excellent next career move.
With a $120,000–$170,000 base salary, monthly production bonus with no negative accrual, flexible scheduling, structured leadership development, extensive CE, and comprehensive benefits, the position provides the opportunity to advance both your clinical and leadership career.
For further information or a confidential discussion, contact:
Abi Webb - Senior Talent Partner
T: (404) 382-0164
E: abi@supreme-ss.com