Medical Director -Riverside Animal Hospital

PetVet Care Centers; Riverside (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Relocation package

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Parental leave

Pet discounts

Wellbeing support

CE stipends

Job summary

PetVet Care Centers is seeking a Medical Director for Riverside Animal Hospital. You will lead a team of veterinarians and support staff to deliver exceptional medical care, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage hospital operations with the Hospital Manager and Regional Director.

Strong communication and leadership are essential. The role emphasizes leadership, high-quality medicine, and growth of the practice, with a four-day workweek expectation and a comprehensive benefits package to

Qualifications

• Licensed veterinarian with a DVM or VMD from an accredited college.
• Current veterinary license and DEA registration.
• Experience leading a veterinary team and mentoring associates.
• Strong diagnostic, surgical and dental skills.
• Excellent communication with clients and staff.
• Ability to manage hospital operations and finances.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong hospital leadership and mentor veterinarians.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and applicable standards.
• Oversee medical care, patient workups, and records.
• Supervise staff daily and coordinate priorities with Hospital Manager.
• Maintain high-quality patient care and teamwork.
• Participate in practice management updates and training.
• Prescribe medications following approved protocols.
• Support budgeting and financial health of the hospital.
• Attend rounds and drive continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Management.

Skills

State Veterinary License

DEA registration

Clinical leadership

Communication skills

Team leadership

Diagnostics

Surgical skills

Dental skills

Client communication

Physical stamina

Regulatory compliance

Education

DVM or VMD degree

Job description

At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter.

Because life is better with pets.

We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.

With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:

• Local autonomy with national support
• Career mobility and development opportunities
• A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.

Position Overview

We are seeking a compassionate and skilled Medical Director to join our team at Riverside Animal Hospital. The ideal candidate will be passionate about providing high-quality veterinary care and possess excellent communication skills to build lasting relationships with our clients. You will work alongside a team of experienced veterinarians, technicians, and support staff and will work closely with the Hospital Manager and Regional Director.

Why Join Us

Riverside Animal Hospital is ready to welcome an Experienced Veterinarian interested in Leadership, High-Quality Medicine & Growing our Practice as our Medical Director. Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of pets and the people who love them. Our dedicated team, advocates for the pets we treat, by constantly improving our technical abilities and knowledge. We pride ourselves in displaying integrity and compassion in our patient care decisions and in our relationships with the clients we serve.

Our ideal schedule consists of 4 days a week as we encourage a healthy work-life balance. We have recently remodeled our treatment area & dental suite and would like to invite you to visit & meet our amazing team!

Our compensation package includes:

• Competitive Salary up to $200,000 (DOE)
• Generous Quarterly Production Plan with No Deficit Carryover
• Annual Medical Director Stipend (Paid Bi-Weekly)
• Lucrative sign-on/retention bonus up to $100,000

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. They are part of the foundation upon which successful veterinary practices are built and directly impact and influence hospital culture and morale.

What We Offer

We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:

• Signing, retention and relocation packages up to $100,000
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Competitive salary and Production Bonus - no negative accrual option available
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE stipends and career development resources
• Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources

Key Responsibilities

• Comprehensive patient exams and medical work-ups
• Client communication and education
• Performing diagnostic procedures and surgery
• Maintaining accurate medical records
• Pharmacy duties such as prescribing medications to patients and following controlled substance protocols
• Promote teamwork and staff efficiency
• Work with the Hospital Manager on weekly priorities and expectations
• Evaluate and monitor protocols for the daily running of the hospital from intake to discharge
• Monitor cases in the hospital and attend daily rounds when possible to be sure the highest standards are being upheld
• Participate in practice management updates and training at all levels
• Performs other duties as assigned by Management.

Qualifications (Required)

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to be considered for this position
• Veterinarian degree (DVM or VMD) from an accredited college or university
• Current State Veterinary License
• DEA registration must be obtained and maintained
• 1+ years of experience in a veterinary practice
• Strong diagnostic and clinical skills.
• Excellent surgical and dental skills.
• Ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to providing compassionate and high-quality veterinary care.
• Excellent Communication Skills and the ability to communicate effectively, efficiently, and in a timely manner with all members of the Medical and Hospital staff.
• Client communication skills, must be able to elicit information, establish rapport, offer explanations with pet owners.
• Display confidence and reassurance when dealing with pets experiencing severe stress, illness, or pain.
• May include some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work.
• Position does require the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Clinical Knowledge and Skills: Demonstrate clinical knowledge and skill in examining and assessing animals. Perform cardiovascular, respiratory, orthopedic, neurological and other necessary examinations. Diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to develop solutions to challenges relating to the management of a high-quality veterinary hospital.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrate effective communication of diagnostic and therapeutic options to clients. Display effective communication with internal medical and hospital staff.
• Professionalism: Work as part of a high-quality, professional veterinary team with the ability to provide and receive appropriate constructive criticism, suggestions, and feedback.
• Business Acumen: Ability to understand the management and finances of the veterinary hospital practice.
• Ethics: Knowledge and understanding of ethical principles that guide decisions affecting patients.
• Commitment to Continuing Education: Commitment to utilize available resources of continuing education and to facilitate learning of others.

At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to aCulture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 400 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.

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

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