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Ameri Vet
El Cajon, California

Medical Director - Veterinarian

VeterinarianFull-Time

Listed compensation

$180k-$200k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 42m ago · Verified live

Job Description

About Our Clinic

Animal Care Clinic is hiring a Medical Director to lead our team at our full-service animal hospital located in El Cajon, CA. Animal Care Clinic has been named hospital of the year for El Cajon the past several years.

It's clean, organized, and equipped with advanced tools and technologies to provide the highest standard of care for a variety of cases. We have perfected the art of work-life balance while delivering exceptional customer service, evident in our positive online reviews.

Our community relies on and highly respects us as trusted animal doctors which in turn supports us being open 6 days a week to see a variety of animals.

Our team loves what they do- creating happy vets & happy pets! Check us out at: Landing Page | Animal Care Clinic...

Clinic Snapshot

Small Animal General Practice, primarily with cats and dogs with focus on wellness and preventative medicine.

  • Practice type: GP
  • Avg. daily patient volume: [16 /day]
  • Support staff ratio: [3: 1]
  • Case mix: Wellness, surgery, dentistry
  • Technology & equipment: Digital X-ray, ultrasound, in-house labs, digital dental x-ray
  • Team culture: Collaborative, team approach, highly skilled support staff

Total Rewards & How We Invest in You

We believe great doctors deserve great rewards.

[$180k - $200k] annual salary + production bonus

  • DVM Long-Term Incentive (LTI) Cash Program — earn annual bonuses based on your production
  • No negative accrual: We reward performance without penalizing you during slower periods
  • Monthly Medical Director stipend
  • Transparent production metrics and operational support to maximize earnings
  • Generous CE allowance + paid licenses and professional dues
  • Flexible scheduling, strong work-life balance, and mentorship programs
  • Relocation assistance and sign on bonuses available
  • 401k retirement savings plan with company match

Position Summary

The Medical Director (MD) serves as the clinical leader and medical voice of the practice, setting the standard for excellence in medical quality, exceptional patient care, positive client experiences, and a collaborative, high-performing team culture. As a trusted veterinarian within the community, the MD leads by example—delivering high quality medicine, mentoring and developing associate doctors, and fostering an environment where quality, compassion, and teamwork thrive.

In alignment with AmeriVet’s strategic vision for veterinary excellence, the MD balances hands-on clinical practice with leadership responsibilities, spending most of their time providing direct patient care while also guiding medical quality and supporting the professional growth of the veterinary team. In close partnership with the Practice Manager, the MD provides medical oversight of hospital operations and care delivery to ensure consistently exceptional outcomes for patients, clients, and team members, and achievement of performance metrics and business goals.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Medical Director supervises the Associate and Partner doctors within the practice.

Responsibilities & Objectives

Set, model, and uphold medical quality standards for the practice, exemplifying excellence and delivering high-quality care in accordance with industry standards, AmeriVet guidelines, and state practice acts.

  • Foster and sustain a positive, collaborative hospital culture in which:
  • Patient care and safety always come first
  • Team members are empowered to share their voice, solve problems, and contribute ideas
  • The team works together to achieve hospital goals and deliver exceptional client and patient experiences

Coach, Mentor, and Manage Veterinarians, Ensuring They

  • Achieve and maintain clinical proficiency in medical and surgical care
  • Demonstrate excellent client communication and education
  • Complete thorough, timely, and accurate medical records
  • Ensure appropriate and compliant charging for services and products
  • Lead by example in supporting a positive hospital culture
  • Receive regular coaching, feedback, performance reviews, and accountability as needed

Drive continuous improvement in medical quality, patient outcomes, and client trust through case review, thoughtful use of clinical insights, and professional judgment.

Evaluate, develop, and continuously improve clinical competency across the veterinary team, including doctors, relief doctors, veterinary assistants, and technicians, through direct observation, coaching, case discussions, and periodic medical record reviews to elevate medical quality and consistency of care.

Organize and lead regular doctor meetings to align medical standards, protocols, case reviews, and hospital priorities.

Partner Closely with the Practice Manager To

Meet regularly to align on hospital initiatives, culture, people development, and medical and operational priorities

Align hospital scheduling and clinical workflows to optimize team utilization, ensuring team members work at the top of their training and licensure in support of high-quality, efficient, and patient-centered care.

  • Assess and manage the hospital inventory to ensure appropriate product availability and cost control
  • Provide coaching and feedback to the veterinary team

Plan and Participate in Hospital-wide Meetings

Support strategic initiatives and operational excellence, including performance metrics and business goals

Oversee the maintenance, and appropriate use of hospital medical equipment, ensuring safety, maintenance, functionality, and regulatory compliance

Actively engage with the local community to strengthen the hospital’s presence and impact, supporting practice growth through client education, outreach, partnerships, and initiatives that improve access to quality care and advance the well-being of pets in the community.

Collaborate with the Talent Acquisition team to recruit, interview, and onboard high-quality veterinary talent.

Serve as the Responsible Veterinarian, as required by federal, state, or local regulations, including oversight of:

  • Any necessary federal, state or local registrations and permits
  • Controlled drug inventory, control and process
  • Radiation safety programs and compliance for the hospital, including serving as Radiation Safety Officer

Actively practice a majority of their full-time schedule maintaining a robust patient caseload, serving as a hands-on clinician within the hospital.

Amerivet Ambassador: Responsible for being an advocate and representative in support of our goals and values by attending events, regular calls etc. as needed.

Perform other duties as assigned in support of hospital and organizational goals.

Skills Necessary for Success

Exceptional verbal, written, and nonverbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex medical information through multiple methods and settings.

Strong time management, prioritization, and delegation capabilities, enabling efficient and effective hospital operations.

  • Demonstrate sound clinical judgment and consistently make thoughtful, wellinformed decisions.
  • Serve as a visible clinical leader and key driver of practice performance, quality of care, and continuous improvement.
  • Maintain the highest standards of professionalism, respect, and courtesy in all interactions.

Highly developed interpersonal skills that inspire trust, engagement, and collaboration across the hospital team.

Qualifications, Education, and Experience

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) or equivalent degree required.
  • Active licensure without restrictions in state of practice.
  • Active DEA Registration for responsible practice location(s).
  • Any required state-controlled substance, pharmacy or other licenses and/or registrations as required.
  • Minimum 3-5 years of experience as a practicing Veterinarian.
  • Preferred minimum of 1 year of experience leading a veterinary team and/or multi-unit experience.
  • Commit to a minimum of 35 hours per week.

Let’s Talk About Your Next Opportunity

Apply online or skip the paperwork and email Stacey Clark at stacey.clark@amerivet.com anytime.

At AmeriVet, we’re committed to your growth, development, well-being, and success. We empower team members with the resources, support, and opportunities needed to thrive in their careers and make a lasting impact in our communities.

  • Here’s what you can expect when you join our team:
  • Tailored development programs, mentorship, and career pathing to help you achieve your unique goals.
  • Competitive pay, performance bonuses, 401(k) matching, and student loan assistance to foster your financial well-being.
  • Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and mental health resources to support your overall well-being.
  • Generous paid time off and holidays, because your personal time matters.
  • A supportive, collaborative environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
  • Please note: Any Benefits listed above apply to full-time employees.

At AmeriVet, your unique skills and passion are celebrated, and every team member has the tools to thrive. Our people-focused approach is centered on helping you grow in your career while making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.

Key Responsibilities

The Medical Director serves as the clinical leader, setting medical quality standards and mentoring the veterinary team while maintaining a robust patient caseload. They partner with the Practice Manager to oversee hospital operations, ensure exceptional patient care, and drive business performance goals.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) degree with an active, unrestricted state license and DEA registration. A minimum of 3-5 years of clinical experience is required, with preference for prior leadership experience.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Clinical leadershipTeam managementStaff developmentMedical record keepingInventory managementStrategic planningProblem solving

Veterinary Medicine Career Context

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$190k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $172k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 84% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

What does the Veterinary Medicine market look like in California?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$180k–$200kVeterinary Medicine median $159k (middle half $145k–$180k)54 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$172k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Veterinary Medicine listings in California256 active3,101 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 84% no call · 64% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentsign-on bonus · loan repaymentCalifornia healthcare professional listings: 39% state a sign-on bonus (median $50k) · 16% offer loan repayment383 active listings, Nov 2026
New Veterinary Medicine listings962 in the last 30 days517 the 30 days before (+86%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Veterinary Medicine pay trend+3.7% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Veterinarian Jobs

24 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

24 jobs · 16 employers
5
<$145k
3
$160k
6
$170k-195k
7
$195k-220k
3
$220k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

23 jobs · 16 employers
401k / retirement match
96% this job
CME allowance
78% this job
Sign-on bonus
74% this job
Relocation assistance
61% this job
Loan repayment
4% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Veterinarian Medical Leader

PETCO Animal Supplies Stores · Folsom, California

$140k-$224k
#2

Hospital Medical Leader - Veterinarian

PETCO Animal Supplies Stores · Los Angeles, California

$140k-$224k
#3

Hospital Veterinarian

$104k-$220k
#4

Associate Veterinarian

$160k-$210k
+ 22 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 3.6
Better work-life than 20% of Veterinary Medicine listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,072 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Ameri Vet logo

About Ameri Vet

Veterinary Services
San Antonio, Texas
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Annual salary $180k-$200k + production bonus
DVM Long-Term Incentive (LTI) Cash Program
No negative accrual
Monthly Medical Director stipend
Generous CE allowance + paid licenses and professional dues
Flexible scheduling
Relocation assistance and sign on bonuses available
401k retirement savings plan with company match

Living in El Cajon

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$783k≈ 4.3× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,259/mo≈ 15% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
25 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.9
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.