Medical Director
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.
Job Description
Medical Director or Associate Veterinarian | Small Animal GP | Nipomo, CA (Central Coast)
Ready for a true Central Coast lifestyle while practicing high-quality medicine in a growing, well-supported hospital?
Nipomo Dog & Cat Hospital is a rapidly growing small animal practice, and we're looking to add an experienced veterinarian to our collaborative team—either in a leadership (Medical Director) or Associate role.
About Us
Located on California's beautiful Central Coast, Nipomo offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with easy access to outdoor adventure, great food, and wine country.
We're Just Minutes From
- The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes (largest intact coastal dune ecosystem on Earth)
- Pismo and Avila Beach, Morro Bay, and Santa Ynez
- Downtown San Luis Obispo for dining and shopping
- Santa Barbara, just an hour away
From hiking and kayaking to wine tasting and whale watching, this is an ideal place to live and work.
Our Practice
- Modern, well-equipped small animal hospital
- Digital radiography and digital dental radiography
- In-house lab and ultrasound
- Experienced, well-trained support staff
- Strong leadership team focused on a positive, collaborative culture
We believe great medicine starts with a great team—and we make sure to have fun along the way (yes, including grilled cheese competitions and happy hours).
Requirements
What You'll Do
- Provide high-quality general medicine and surgery
- Build strong client relationships through clear communication
- Collaborate closely with a supportive team
- Pursue clinical interests or specialties
For Medical Director Candidates
- Mentor and support veterinarians and staff
- Help guide medical standards and protocols
- Partner with leadership on hospital growth and culture
Ideal Candidate
- Licensed DVM (or eligible) in California
- Compassionate, team-oriented, and motivated
- Committed to high standards of care
- Strong communication skills and a sense of humor
- Surgical and ultrasound experience a plus
Benefits & Compensation
What We Offer
- Signing bonus and relocation assistance
- Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term disability
- 401(k) with employer match
- CE stipend, PTO, and reimbursement of licensure, DEA, and professional dues
- AVMA PLIT coverage, EAP, and personal pet discounts
- In-house mentorship programs and EAP wellness initiatives
Key Responsibilities
Provide high-quality general medicine and surgery while building strong client relationships. Medical Director candidates will also mentor staff, guide medical standards, and partner with leadership on hospital growth.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 5+ years of experience
Certifications
Key Skills
Veterinary Medicine — Physician Career Context
Veterinary Medicine pay on WeekdayDoc is down 13.5% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Work-life snapshot
Listing-based score, 0–10, across 94 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.
Living in Nipomo
- Typical 3-bedroom home value
- $845k
- Median resident rent
- $2,106/mo
- Residents’ average commute
- 28 min
- Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
- 108.6
- State income tax
- Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology
Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.
BEA 2024 · San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.
City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.