Medical Director

Meadowvistavet; Vista (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous sign-on bonus

Flexible schedule options

Employee pet care discounts

Full benefits package

Job summary

A veterinary clinic in Vista, California seeks a Medical Director (MD) responsible for leading the hospital, mentoring staff, and ensuring compliance with veterinary practices. The ideal candidate will have a Doctor in Veterinary Medicine degree and 3+ years of clinical experience. This role includes administrative duties alongside clinical responsibilities, promoting an environment of teamwork and high-quality care. Competitive salary range is $160,000–$180,000, with benefits including a generous sign-on bonus and flexible schedule options.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of clinical experience.
• Prior experience in leadership or management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong leadership for the hospital.
• Manage and mentor associate veterinarians.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for veterinary practice.
• Serve as a staff veterinarian in addition to MD duties.

Skills

Leadership

Veterinary medical standards

Team management

Education

Doctor in Veterinary Medicine Degree

Job description

The Medical Director (MD) is responsible for providing strong leadership for the hospital, managing and mentoring associate veterinarians, and assuring regulatory compliance relating to the practice of veterinary medicine. The MD is also responsible for maintaining an environment of teamwork in which the highest quality veterinary medicine is delivered. In partnership with the hospital leadership team, the MD holds shared responsibility for the financial health of the hospital, directing staff and the overall management of practice operations. The MD also serves as a staff veterinarian in addition to the administrative and leadership duties of the MD role. Effective MDs demonstrate strong work and professional ethics, a positive attitude, and uphold a high standard of patient care.

Hospital Overview

Meadow Vista Veterinary Clinic has been providing families and their beloved pets with compassionate veterinary care since 1948. As a full‑service hospital, we offer a wide range of comprehensive veterinary services to keep your pets in great health, from wellness exams to vaccinations to dental care, surgery and grooming. With access to specialty board‑certified doctors who will travel to our clinic, we aim to ensure each and every client feels that their pet has received the highest quality of care.

Meadow Vista, CA is known for its peaceful, scenic setting in the Sierra Nevada foothills, where wooded landscapes, rolling meadows, and a close‑knit small‑town vibe make everyday life feel like a retreat from big‑city hustle. The community offers plenty of outdoor recreation right at home — from walking at Meadow Vista Park, hiking and biking local trails like Sugar Pine Mountain and Bear River Canal, to water activities at nearby Lake Combie and fishing or exploring the 548‑acre Halsey Preserve — plus good local schools and easy access to Auburn for dining and shopping. Residents also enjoy community events and a short drive to regional attractions like the Auburn State Recreation Area for rafting or mountain biking, making it ideal for nature lovers and families.

Compensation and Benefits Overview

• Salary Range: $160,000‑$180,000
• Medical Director stipend
• No negative accrual and no non‑compete!
• Paid time off and holidays
• Generous sign‑on bonus
• Relocation assistance
• Flexible schedule options
• Employee pet care discounts
• Full benefits package, including quality health, dental, vision, disability, liability insurance, 401(k) with company contribution, reimbursement and time off for CE & license fees and more.

Essential Functions

• Maintaining a high quality of progressive veterinary care
  • Oversees and gives directives regarding medical standards and quality of care
  • Sets policies as they pertain to the practice of medicine
  • Works toward making various services work as one team
  • In conjunction with appropriate leadership team members, recommends additions to the hospital inventory
  • Budgets for new equipment and provides a reasonable cost estimate and return on investment
  • Sees patients and handles clinical practice
  • Ensures positive communication with clients and between doctors, including the proper transfer of patient care responsibilities
  • Reviews patient records for completeness and accuracy and uses them to promote medical excellence
  • Appropriately manages controlled drugs
  • Reviews and approves requests for alternatives to additional drugs and medical supplies
  • Conducts regular doctor meetings
  • Performs other duties as assigned by Manager

Administration Duties

• Handles patient care problems, client complaints, and referral partner issues
• Manages veterinary, client, and board complaints and recommends resolutions
• Schedules staff at the hospital to meet practice needs
• Develops medical policies
• Assists in ensuring practice compliance with the State Veterinary Medical Practice Act, OSHA, and AAHA standards

Leading by Example

• Holds licensure in good standing to practice and maintains all required licenses with timely renewals
• Monitors DVM performance and production, provides coaching when appropriate
• Serves as a mentor and role model for all staff veterinarians

Development of the Practice

• Leads candidate interviews of potential DVMs
• Identifies new service opportunities that do not currently exist in the hospital
• Holds ownership for the revenue and success of the practice through monitoring key performance indicators and works with the Hospital Manager to make adjustments to achieve positive results
• Helps identify and plan for upcoming challenges in maintaining hospital operations and possible temporary solutions (locum)
• Performs other duties as assigned by Manager

Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• Doctor in Veterinary Medicine Degree
• 3+ years of clinical experience
• Prior experience in leadership or management preferred

Our Culture

At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.

Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high‑quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you’re providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.

You care for pets. We care for you.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

Privacy

PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.

Apply Now

To apply, email Lindsay Aimar at [e-mail] or apply at https://www.petvetcareers.com/.