Veterinary Surgeon

Veterinary Specialty Hospital - North County; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 275,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus and relocation

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401(k) with employer contribution

CE allowance & professional expense

Generous PTO

Professional licensing & membership

Career coaching & development

Teaching & mentorship opportunities

Ethos Veterinary Health network access

Job summary

Veterinary Specialty Hospital – North County in San Marcos, California, is seeking a board-certified or residency-trained Small Animal Surgeon to join our collaborative surgical team. This is a full-time opportunity in a growing service with advanced imaging and a strong referral network.

Join a hospital preparing to move into a new 35,000-square-foot facility in early 2027, with MRI, CT, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and minimally invasive equipment to support complex cases and ongoing clinical

Qualifications

• Board-certified or residency-trained Small Animal Surgeon.
• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree with eligibility for California licensure.
• Strong clinical and communication skills; interest in multidisciplinary medicine.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced surgical care across orthopedic, soft tissue, oncologic, and neurologic cases.
• Collaborate with Internal Medicine, Neurology, Oncology, and other specialties.
• Develop individualized surgical and treatment plans for complex referral patients.

Skills

Board-certified surgeon

Residency-trained

Strong communication

Multidisciplinary medicine

Mentorship

Education

DVM or equivalent

California licensure eligibility

Tools

MRI

CT

Fluoroscopy

Ultrasound

Minimally invasive equipment

Job description

Veterinary Surgeon | Veterinary Specialty Hospital – North County

Base Salary: $275,000–$325,000 based on experience and qualifications, plus production

Full-Time opportunity in San Marcos, California

Veterinary Specialty Hospital – North County is seeking a board-certified or residency-trained Small Animal Surgeon to join our established and highly collaborative surgical team in San Marcos, California.

This is an opportunity to join an experienced group of surgeons and contribute to the continued growth of an already well-established surgical service. Our surgeons work closely with Internal Medicine, Neurology, Oncology, Emergency & Critical Care, Cardiology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, and Diagnostic Imaging to provide comprehensive care for complex patients.

VSH North County is also preparing to move into a new 35,000-square-foot hospital in early 2027. The new facility will significantly expand our clinical capacity and provide an exciting opportunity for our surgical team to help shape the next chapter of the service while maintaining the same collaborative team and approach to medicine.

The Surgical Opportunity

At VSH North County, our surgical service encompasses a broad range of orthopedic, soft tissue, oncologic, neurologic, and minimally invasive procedures. Surgeons have the opportunity to develop areas of clinical interest while working alongside colleagues who bring complementary expertise to complex cases.

Our current surgical team includes board-certified surgeons with expertise in general, orthopedic, and surgical oncology, supported by experienced veterinary technicians and a multidisciplinary specialty team.

The hospital's advanced capabilities are designed to support complex surgical decision-making and patient care, including MRI, CT, fluoroscopy, advanced ultrasound, minimally invasive surgical equipment, advanced anesthesia and monitoring, and near-infrared fluorescence imaging. These resources allow our surgeons to approach challenging orthopedic, soft tissue, oncologic, and neurologic cases with comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic support.

Location Highlight

San Marcos offers the best of Southern California living with easy access to North County San Diego's beaches, restaurants, outdoor recreation, and vibrant communities. You'll be within reach of hiking, surfing, mountain biking, and the broader San Diego lifestyle, while remaining close to coastal communities such as Carlsbad, Encinitas, and Del Mar.

• Base salary of $275,000–$325,000, based on experience and qualifications, plus production
• Sign-on bonus and relocation assistance
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• CE allowance and professional expense support
• Generous PTO
• Professional licensing and membership support
• Career coaching and professional development resources
• Opportunities for teaching, mentorship, and leadership development
• Access to the broader Ethos Veterinary Health specialty network

In your day-to-day, you will:

• Provide advanced surgical care across orthopedic, soft tissue, oncologic, and neurologic cases
• Collaborate with Internal Medicine, Neurology, Oncology, Emergency & Critical Care, Cardiology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, and Diagnostic Imaging
• Develop individualized surgical and treatment plans for complex referral patients
• Utilize advanced imaging and minimally invasive technology to support diagnosis and treatment
• Partner with experienced technicians and specialty support teams throughout the surgical process
• Develop and pursue areas of clinical interest within the surgical service
• Participate in teaching and mentorship of interns, residents, students, and veterinary team members
• Help contribute to the continued development of the surgical service and its transition into our new hospital
• Build lasting relationships with referring veterinarians and clients
• Participate in clinical research opportunities through the broader Ethos network

What You Bring

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree with eligibility for California licensure
• Board certification in Veterinary Surgery or completion of a recognized surgical residency with board eligibility
• Strong clinical and communication skills
• Interest in collaborative, multidisciplinary medicine
• Commitment to exceptional patient care and client service
• Interest in mentorship, teaching, and continued professional development
• A desire to contribute to the continued growth of an established specialty service

Join Us

At VSH North County, you'll join a hospital where specialists genuinely work together to solve complex cases and provide comprehensive care.

With an established surgical team, deep specialty support, advanced technology, and a new 35,000-square-foot hospital coming in early 2027, this is an opportunity to build a long-term surgical career while helping shape the future of specialty medicine in North County San Diego.

Ethos Veterinary Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative workplace.

Ethos Veterinary Health, part of the NVA Group, is where you come to practice world-class medicine, and help shape what veterinary care becomes next.

Across our network of 140 specialty and emergency hospitals, science moves forward, standards are elevated, and innovation is put into practice every day. You’ll work alongside respected veterinary leaders in academic-caliber hospitals designed for learning, teaching, and discovery.

Here, mentorship is a two-way street. You’ll share your expertise, learn from others, and continue to grow, clinically, professionally, and personally.

At Ethos, you inspire hope, deliver exceptional care, and pursue veterinary medicine at its highest level, together.

Benefits for this role may include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement benefits, paid time off (including sick leave and vacation), short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance.

Ethos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Ethos does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need.