Veterinary Medical Director & Clinical Leader (DVM)

Desort; Castro Valley (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Relocation assistance

401(k) with company match

Continuing education allowance

Healthcare coverage

Job summary

Desort is seeking an experienced Medical Director (DVM) in Castro Valley, CA to blend hands-on veterinary care with leadership. The role requires guiding clinical teams, setting protocols, and driving quality improvements while balancing practice operations and patient outcomes.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of veterinary practice and proven leadership, with a focus on compassionate care, team development, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary institution.
• Active, unrestricted veterinary license in the applicable state.
• Active DEA registration and any additional licenses/registrations.
• At least 3–5 years of experience practicing veterinary medicine.
• Previous veterinary team leadership experience preferred.
• Strong clinical judgment and medical/surgical skills.
• Excellent communication, mentoring, and interpersonal abilities.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and delegation skills.
• Ability to balance clinical responsibilities with leadership and operational duties.
• Commitment to compassionate patient care, teamwork, and professional development.
• Availability to work at least 35 hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct veterinary care while maintaining high standards of medical and surgical practice.
• Lead, coach, and mentor associate veterinarians and other clinical team members.
• Establish and maintain clinical protocols that promote patient safety and consistent care.
• Review medical records, discuss cases, and provide constructive feedback to improve clinical performance.
• Conduct regular veterinary team meetings to review cases, protocols, and practice priorities.
• Foster a collaborative workplace focused on patient outcomes, client satisfaction, and professional accountability.
• Partner with practice management to improve scheduling, staffing, workflows, inventory, and operational efficiency.
• Monitor clinical performance and support initiatives that improve patient care and business outcomes.
• Oversee the appropriate use, maintenance, and regulatory compliance of medical equipment.
• Support recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and professional development of veterinary staff.
• Build relationships with the local community through client education and outreach.
• Oversee controlled substances, required registrations, and applicable radiation safety procedures.
• Maintain accurate medical records and promote effective client communication.
• Support practice-wide initiatives and continuous quality improvement.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Team coordination

Time management

Delegation

Organizational skills

Education

DVM, VMD, or equivalent

Active state license

Job description

Desort is seeking an experienced Medical Director (DVM) in Castro Valley, CA to blend hands-on veterinary care with leadership. The role requires guiding clinical teams, setting protocols, and driving quality improvements while balancing practice operations and patient outcomes.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of veterinary practice and proven leadership, with a focus on compassionate care, team development, and regulatory compliance.