Veterinarian - Lacey, WA

You've been the doctor everyone comes to with the hard case, the new grad's question or the idea for doing things better. Maybe you've done it with a title, maybe without. Either way, we'd like that to be your job. 

Hawks Prairie Veterinary Hospital in Lacey is looking for a Chief of Staff to lead the next chapter of an established, six-doctor practice. You'll keep practicing medicine you're proud of while you shape where this hospital goes next. 

Why this role is open 

Our doctors have built something that lasts. Two have been here more than 15 years, and three have been here for seven. They're at their best in the exam room, and they're ready for a leader who wants to build on what they've created. That means setting direction, raising the bar and bringing in the next generation of doctors. We're looking for someone ready to write the next chapter for a practice with deep roots. 

What the job looks like: 

• Schedule: Four days a week, with a Saturday rotation 

• A clinical-first role: This is a working Chief of Staff position. Most of your time is spent seeing patients, and leadership happens alongside the team during the day. DVM assistants handle the administrative work, so you can focus on medicine and people. 

• Caseload: About 14–16 patients per day, with 30–45 minute appointments 

• Doctor team: Six DVMs, including two with 18 and 16 years at the hospital, three with seven years each, and one new graduate 

• Support: You'll work closely with our Regional Manager and a dedicated Chief of Staff Advisor who supports your growth as a leader 

• Your authority: You'll own medical protocols and standards of care, have direct input on DVM hiring, and set the direction for mentorship and CE 

What you'll own:

• Medical standards: You'll set and uphold our standards of care, protocols and workflows. 

• The doctor team: You'll be the go-to resource on complex cases, earn the trust of experienced colleagues and help our newest doctor build confidence quickly. 

• Recruiting and growth: You'll help hire the doctors you want to work with and build development plans that keep them here. 

• Hospital direction: You'll work with regional leadership on patient care, team engagement and efficiency, with a real seat at the table. 

What you'll have to work with:

• DVM assistants to handle records, callbacks and admin work 

• An experienced support team with an average tenure of 4.5 years 

• Two fully equipped surgical suites and a dedicated dental suite 

• Digital radiography, ultrasound and an in-house lab 

• Strong relationships with local emergency and specialty referral hospitals 

• The backing of Vetcor: CE, leadership development and clinical resources, plus a Chief of Staff onboarding program built and led by Vetcor's veterinary leaders. You'll also join a network of fellow Chiefs of Staff to share ideas, solve problems and grow as a leader. Day-to-day medical decisions stay local, with you. 

Compensation 

• Pro-sal pay: You're guaranteed a base salary of $130,000–$150,000, depending on experience, with the chance to earn more through production. There's no negative accrual, so a slow quarter never counts against you.

• Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance; 401(k) with company match; paid time off; CE allowance; all professional licenses paid; and more

• Additional leadership compensation and performance-based incentive opportunities are available as part of the Chief of Staff compensation package. 

Where you'll live:

Lacey sits at the southern tip of Puget Sound, next door to Olympia, Washington's state capital. It's about an hour to Seattle, and Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Peninsula are both easy day trips. You can kayak the Sound in the morning and hike old-growth forest on the weekend. Housing costs a good deal less than in Seattle, and Washington has no state income tax, so your pay goes further here. 

Who we're looking for: 

• DVM or equivalent, licensed or eligible for licensure in Washington 

• 5+ years of clinical practice 

• A track record of leading, whether or not you had the title: mentoring doctors, improving how a hospital runs, being the steady one on hard days 

• The confidence to lead doctors with more tenure than you, and the humility to learn from them 

• Someone who leads by working alongside the team, not from above it