Medical Director - Veterinarian

AmeriVet•La Mesa, CA

3d•$170,000 - $190,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Director is the clinical leader and medical voice of The Pet Hospital of La Mesa, setting standards for medical quality, patient care, client experience, and collaborative team culture. The role combines hands-on veterinary practice with leadership responsibilities, with most time spent providing direct patient care while guiding medical quality and supporting the development of the veterinary team. The Medical Director partners closely with the Practice Manager on medical oversight, hospital operations, care delivery, performance metrics, and business goals. The position supervises Associate and Partner doctors and serves as the Responsible Veterinarian where required by regulations, including oversight of permits and registrations, controlled drugs, and radiation safety. The clinic is a small-animal general practice focused primarily on cats and dogs, wellness, and preventative medicine, with a case mix that includes wellness, surgery, and dentistry. The practice describes its culture as collaborative, close-knit, and welcoming, and offers veterinarians autonomy in their medical decisions and access to a network of licensed professionals.

Requirements

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) or equivalent degree.
Active, unrestricted veterinary licensure in the state of practice.
Active DEA Registration for responsible practice location(s).
Any required state-controlled substance, pharmacy, or other licenses and registrations.
Minimum 3–5 years of experience as a practicing veterinarian.
Commitment to a minimum of 35 hours per week.
Exceptional verbal, written, and nonverbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex medical information.
Strong time management, prioritization, and delegation skills.
Sound clinical judgment and thoughtful decision-making.
Ability to serve as a visible clinical leader and drive practice performance, quality of care, and continuous improvement.
Professionalism, respect, courtesy, and interpersonal skills that build trust, engagement, and collaboration.

Nice To Haves

Preferred minimum of 1 year of experience leading a veterinary team and/or multi-unit experience.

Responsibilities

Set, model, and uphold medical quality standards in accordance with industry standards, AmeriVet guidelines, and state practice acts.
Foster a positive, collaborative hospital culture centered on patient care and safety, team participation, and exceptional client and patient experiences.
Coach, mentor, and manage veterinarians, including supporting clinical proficiency, client communication, accurate medical records, compliant charging, and accountability through regular feedback and performance reviews.
Drive continuous improvement in medical quality, patient outcomes, and client trust through case review and clinical judgment.
Evaluate and develop clinical competency among doctors, relief doctors, veterinary assistants, and technicians through observation, coaching, case discussions, and medical record reviews.
Organize and lead regular doctor meetings to align medical standards, protocols, case reviews, and hospital priorities.
Partner with the Practice Manager on hospital initiatives, culture, staff development, medical and operational priorities, scheduling, workflows, inventory, team coaching, meetings, performance metrics, and business goals.
Oversee the maintenance and appropriate use of medical equipment, ensuring safety, functionality, maintenance, and regulatory compliance.
Engage with the local community through client education, outreach, partnerships, and initiatives supporting access to quality care and pet well-being.
Collaborate with Talent Acquisition to recruit, interview, and onboard veterinary talent.
Serve as the Responsible Veterinarian as required, overseeing registrations and permits, controlled drug inventory and processes, and radiation safety programs and compliance, including serving as Radiation Safety Officer.
Maintain a robust patient caseload and actively practice for a majority of the full-time schedule.
Represent AmeriVet as an ambassador at events and regular calls as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of hospital and organizational goals.

Benefits

Annual salary of $170,000–$190,000 plus production bonus.
DVM Long-Term Incentive (LTI) cash program with annual bonuses based on production.
No negative accrual.
Monthly Medical Director stipend.
Transparent production metrics and operational support.
Generous continuing education allowance and paid licenses and professional dues.
Referral bonus program.
Flexible scheduling and work-life balance.
Mentorship programs.
Relocation assistance and sign-on bonuses available.
401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
Performance bonuses.
Student loan assistance.
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Mental health resources.
Paid time off and holidays.
Tailored development programs and career pathing.