Medical Director - Veterinarian

AmeriVet•La Mesa, CA

1d•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 a collaborative team culture. The role balances hands-on veterinary practice with leadership responsibilities, with most working time devoted to direct patient care. The Medical Director partners closely with the Practice Manager to oversee medical operations, care delivery, team development, and hospital performance. The position supervises Associate and Partner doctors and serves as the Responsible Veterinarian when required by applicable regulations. The hospital is a small-animal general practice primarily serving cats and dogs, with a focus on wellness and preventive medicine. Its case mix includes wellness, surgery, and dentistry. The clinic describes its culture as collaborative, close-knit, and welcoming, with highly skilled support staff. Equipment includes digital X-ray, ultrasound, in-house laboratories, digital dental X-ray, and a surgical laser. The practice emphasizes clinical autonomy, continuing education, teamwork, mentorship, and access to a network of licensed professionals.

Requirements

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) or equivalent degree.
Active, unrestricted veterinary license in the state of practice.
Active DEA registration for the responsible practice location(s).
Any required state-controlled substance, pharmacy, or other licenses and registrations.
Minimum of 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 effectively.
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, and courtesy in all interactions.
Highly developed interpersonal skills that build trust, engagement, and collaboration.

Nice To Haves

At least 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.
Deliver high-quality direct patient care and maintain a robust patient caseload while actively practicing for most of the full-time schedule.
Foster a positive, collaborative hospital culture that prioritizes patient care and safety and empowers team members to contribute ideas and solve problems.
Coach, mentor, and manage veterinarians, supporting clinical proficiency, client communication, accurate and timely medical records, compliant charging, and positive culture.
Provide regular coaching, feedback, performance reviews, and accountability to veterinarians as needed.
Drive continuous improvement in medical quality, patient outcomes, and client trust through case review and clinical judgment.
Evaluate and develop clinical competency across doctors, relief doctors, veterinary assistants, and technicians through observation, coaching, case discussions, and medical record reviews.
Organize and lead regular doctor meetings covering medical standards, protocols, case reviews, and hospital priorities.
Partner with the Practice Manager on hospital initiatives, culture, people development, medical and operational priorities, scheduling, and clinical workflows.
Align workflows and team utilization so team members work within their training and licensure while supporting efficient, patient-centered care.
Assess and manage hospital inventory to support product availability and cost control.
Provide coaching and feedback to the veterinary team and participate in hospital-wide meetings.
Support strategic initiatives, operational excellence, performance metrics, and business goals.
Oversee the maintenance and appropriate use of medical equipment, including safety, functionality, maintenance, and regulatory compliance.
Engage with the local community through client education, outreach, partnerships, and initiatives that support practice growth and pet well-being.
Collaborate with Talent Acquisition to recruit, interview, and onboard veterinary talent.
Serve as Responsible Veterinarian as required, overseeing registrations and permits, controlled drug inventory and processes, and radiation safety and compliance, including serving as Radiation Safety Officer.
Represent AmeriVet and advocate for its goals and values by attending events and participating in calls as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of hospital and organizational goals.

Benefits

$170,000–$190,000 annual salary plus production bonus.
DVM Long-Term Incentive 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 or stipend.
Paid licenses and professional dues.
Referral bonus program.
Flexible scheduling and work-life balance.
Mentorship programs and tailored development, career-pathing, and mentorship opportunities.
Relocation assistance and sign-on bonuses available.
401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
Student loan assistance.
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Mental health resources.
Paid time off and holidays.