Medical Director - Veterinarian

The Pet Hospital of La Mesa is hiring a Medical Director to lead our team. At La Mesa, we pride ourselves on offering complete autonomy in your medicine. We believe in our veterinarian's ability and education, therefore do not feel it necessary to dictate medicine. We provide the tools; you provide the knowledge. Our hospital is equipped with digital x-ray, inhouse labs, diagnostic ultrasound, dental x-ray, surgical laser, and much more. In addition, we encourage our doctors to stay up to date on progressions in medicine. We offer generous CE stipends to promote growth and learning within our clinic.

Teamwork is important to us, which is why you will have complete access to our growing network of licensed professionals through our online community and round table discussions. In clinic, we have a very close-knit and extremely welcoming team.

Veterinarian & Animal Hospital in La Mesa, CA | The Pet Hos…

Clinic Snapshot:

Small Animal General Practice, primarily with cats and dogs with focus on wellness and preventative medicine.

• Practice type: GP
• Avg. daily patient volume: [16 /day]
• Support staff ratio: [2 : 1]
• Case mix: Wellness, surgery, dentistry
• Technology & equipment: Digital X-ray, ultrasound, in-house labs, digital dental x-ray
• Team culture: Collaborative, team approach, highly skilled support staff

Total Rewards & How We Invest in You

We believe great doctors deserve great rewards.

• $170k - $190k annual salary + production bonus (30 hours/week)
• DVM Long-Term Incentive (LTI) Cash Program — earn annual bonuses based on your production
• No negative accrual: We reward performance without penalizing you during slower periods
• Monthly Medical Director stipend
• Transparent production metrics and operational support to maximize earnings
• Generous CE allowance + paid licenses and professional dues
• Referral bonus program: Bring great talent to our network & get rewarded
• Flexible scheduling, strong work-life balance, and mentorship programs
• Relocation assistance and sign on bonuses available
• 401k retirement savings plan with company match

The Medical Director (MD) serves as the clinical leader and medical voice of the practice, setting the standard for excellence in medical quality, exceptional patient care, positive client experiences, and a collaborative, high-performing team culture. As a trusted veterinarian within the community, the MD leads by example—delivering high quality medicine, mentoring and developing associate doctors, and fostering an environment where quality, compassion, and teamwork thrive. 

In alignment with AmeriVet’s strategic vision for veterinary excellence, the MD balances hands-on clinical practice with leadership responsibilities, spending most of their time providing direct patient care while also guiding medical quality and supporting the professional growth of the veterinary team. In close partnership with the Practice Manager, the MD provides medical oversight of hospital operations and care delivery to ensure consistently exceptional outcomes for patients, clients, and team members, and achievement of performance metrics and business goals. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

The Medical Director supervises the Associate and Partner doctors within the practice. 

Responsibilities & Objectives: 

Set, model, and uphold medical quality standards for the practice, exemplifying excellence and delivering high-quality care in accordance with industry standards, AmeriVet guidelines, and state practice acts. 

Foster and sustain a positive, collaborative hospital culture in which: 

• Patient care and safety always come first 
• Team members are empowered to share their voice, solve problems, and contribute ideas 
• The team works together to achieve hospital goals and deliver exceptional client and patient experiences 

Coach, mentor, and manage veterinarians, ensuring they: 

• Achieve and maintain clinical proficiency in medical and surgical care 
• Demonstrate excellent client communication and education 
• Complete thorough, timely, and accurate medical records 
• Ensure appropriate and compliant charging for services and products 
• Lead by example in supporting a positive hospital culture 
• Receive regular coaching, feedback, performance reviews, and accountability as needed 
• Drive continuous improvement in medical quality, patient outcomes, and client trust through case review, thoughtful use of clinical insights, and professional judgment. 

Evaluate, develop, and continuously improve clinical competency across the veterinary team, including doctors, relief doctors, veterinary assistants, and technicians, through direct observation, coaching, case discussions, and periodic medical record reviews to elevate medical quality and consistency of care. 

Organize and lead regular doctor meetings to align medical standards, protocols, case reviews, and hospital priorities. 

Partner closely with the Practice Manager to: 

• Meet regularly to align on hospital initiatives, culture, people development, and medical and operational priorities 
• Align hospital scheduling and clinical workflows to optimize team utilization, ensuring team members work at the top of their training and licensure in support of high-quality, efficient, and patient-centered care. 
• Assess and manage the hospital inventory to ensure appropriate product availability and cost control 
• Provide coaching and feedback to the veterinary team 
• Plan and participate in hospital-wide meetings 
• Support strategic initiatives and operational excellence, including performance metrics and business goals 
• Oversee the maintenance, and appropriate use of hospital medical equipment, ensuring safety, maintenance, functionality, and regulatory compliance 

Actively engage with the local community to strengthen the hospital’s presence and impact, supporting practice growth through client education, outreach, partnerships, and initiatives that improve access to quality care and advance the well-being of pets in the community. 

Collaborate with the Talent Acquisition team to recruit, interview, and onboard high-quality veterinary talent. 

Serve as the Responsible Veterinarian, as required by federal, state, or local regulations, including oversight of: 

• Any necessary federal, state or local registrations and permits 
• Controlled drug inventory, control and process 
• Radiation safety programs and compliance for the hospital, including serving as Radiation Safety Officer 

Actively practice a majority of their full-time schedule maintaining a robust patient caseload, serving as a hands-on clinician within the hospital. 

Amerivet Ambassador: Responsible for being an advocate and representative in support of our goals and values by attending events, regular calls etc. as needed. 

Perform other duties as assigned in support of hospital and organizational goals. 

Skills Necessary for Success:

• Exceptional verbal, written, and nonverbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex medical information through multiple methods and settings.  
• Strong time management, prioritization, and delegation capabilities, enabling efficient and effective hospital operations. 
• Demonstrate sound clinical judgment and consistently make thoughtful, wellinformed decisions. 
• Serve as a visible clinical leader and key driver of practice performance, quality of care, and continuous improvement. 
•  Maintain the highest standards of professionalism, respect, and courtesy in all interactions. 
•  Highly developed interpersonal skills that inspire trust, engagement, and collaboration across the hospital team. 

Qualifications, Education, and Experience: 

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) or equivalent degree required. 
• Active licensure without restrictions in state of practice. 
• Active DEA Registration for responsible practice location(s). 
• Any required state-controlled substance, pharmacy or other licenses and/or registrations as required. 
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience as a practicing Veterinarian. 
• Preferred minimum of 1 year of experience leading a veterinary team and/or multi-unit experience. 
• Commit to a minimum of 35 hours per week. 

Let’s talk about your next opportunity

Apply online or skip the paperwork and email Stacey Clark at [email protected] anytime.

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At AmeriVet, we’re committed to your growth, development, well-being, and success. We empower team members with the resources, support, and opportunities needed to thrive in their careers and make a lasting impact in our communities.

Here’s what you can expect when you join our team:

• Tailored development programs, mentorship, and career pathing to help you achieve your unique goals.

• Competitive pay, performance bonuses, 401(k) matching, and student loan assistance to foster your financial well-being.

• Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and mental health resources to support your overall well-being.

• Generous paid time off and holidays, because your personal time matters.

• A supportive, collaborative environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Please note: Any Benefits listed above apply to full-time employees. 

At AmeriVet, your unique skills and passion are celebrated, and every team member has the tools to thrive. Our people-focused approach is centered on helping you grow in your career while making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.