Medical Director - College Animal Hospital

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 hospitalsand over11,000 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.

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Medical Director – College Animal Hospital

San Diego, California | PetVet Care Centers

Position Overview

College Animal Hospital in San Diego, California, is seeking an experienced and compassionate Medical Director to lead our veterinary team and help shape the future of our practice. This is an exciting opportunity for a veterinarian who is passionate about delivering exceptional patient care, mentoring colleagues, and fostering a collaborative, positive hospital culture.

We are looking for a dedicated veterinary leader who values high medical standards, strong client relationships, and teamwork while encouraging new ideas and continuous improvement. Working closely with the Hospital Manager and Regional Manager, you will help guide the medical direction of the hospital, support the professional growth of our team, and ensure we continue to provide outstanding care to the pets and families who depend on us.

At College Animal Hospital, our experienced veterinarians and skilled technical staff are committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate, and extraordinary veterinary services to the San Diego community. We welcome fresh perspectives, value collaboration, and believe great medicine starts with a team that feels supported and empowered.

If you're ready to take the next step in your veterinary career and make a meaningful impact on your team, your patients, and your community, we'd love to meet you!

Why Join College Animal Hospital?

A Close-Knit, Supportive Team: Work alongside a dedicated group of veterinary professionals and passionate animal lovers who genuinely care about their patients, clients, and one another.

An Engaging Surgical Caseload: Put your medical and surgical skills to work while helping our team continue to deliver high-quality veterinary care.

A Rewarding Senior Pet Population: Build lasting relationships with clients and care for our many beloved senior patients.

Community Connections: Enjoy established relationships with local pet rescue organizations and opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals in need.

Leadership with Purpose: Bring your ideas, strengthen medical standards, mentor team members, and help create an environment where both people and pets thrive.

A Chance to Make an Impact: Help shape the future of a community-focused hospital while advancing your own professional goals.

Ready to Lead with Us?

Take the next step in your veterinary career and discover what makes College Animal Hospital a special place to practice, lead, and grow.

Enjoy Life in San Diego, California!

Live and work in beautiful San Diego, where year-round sunshine, stunning beaches, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle are just the beginning. Enjoy an incredible variety of outdoor adventures, scenic hiking trails, vibrant neighborhoods, world-class dining, and exciting entertainment. Whether you love spending weekends by the ocean, exploring local attractions, or enjoying the city's lively food and cultural scene, San Diego offers an exceptional quality of life and the perfect balance between professional success and personal fulfillment.

To apply or learn more about this opportunity, please email your resume directly to Sonni Nevarez, RVTatsnevarez@petvetcarecenters.com .

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What We Offer We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary Starting at $215,000-$245,000
• Quarterly No Deficit Carryover Production Plan
• Annual Medical Director Stipend
• Signing, retention and relocation packages up to $100,000
• Medical, Dental & Vision Plan
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 4 weeks Paid Time Off
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE Stipend And Career Development resources
• Grant Circle - A Relief Fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local Hospital culture backed by national resources

Key Responsibilities

• Maintaining a high quality of progressive veterinary care

• Oversees and gives directives regarding medical standards and quality of care

• Sets policies as they pertain to the practice of medicine

• Works toward making various services work as one team

• In conjunction with appropriate leadership team members, recommends additions to the hospital inventory

• Budgets for new equipment and provides a reasonable cost estimate and return on investment

• Sees patients and handles clinical practice

• Ensures positive communication with clients and between doctors, including the proper transfer of patient care responsibilities

• Reviews patient records for completeness and accuracy and uses them to promote medical excellence

• Appropriately manages controlled drugs

• Reviews and approves requests for alternatives to additional drugs and medical supplies

• Conducts regular doctor meetings

• Performs other duties as assigned by Manager

• Handles patient care problems, client complaints, and referral partner issues

• Manages veterinary, client, and board complaints and recommends resolutions

• Develops medical policies

• Assists in ensuring practice compliance with the State Veterinary Medical Practice Act, OSHA, and AAHA standards

• Monitors DVM performance and production, provides coaching when appropriate

• Serves as a mentor and role model for all staff veterinarians

• Leads candidate interviews of potential DVMs

• Identifies new service opportunities that do not currently exist in the hospital

• Holds ownership for the revenue and success of the practice through monitoring key performance indicators and works with the Hospital Manager to make adjustments to achieve positive results

• Helps identify and plan for upcoming challenges in maintaining hospital operations and possible temporary solutions (locum)

Qualifications (Required)

• Veterinarian degree (DVM or VMD) from an accredited college or university
• Current State Veterinary License
• DEA registration must be obtained and maintained
• 3-5+ 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)

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent time-management and delegation abilities
• Exercises sound judgment and demonstrates exemplary decision-making skills
• Professionalism and courtesy in all interactions with others
• Well-developed interpersonal skills

Pay Range

$215,000 — $245,000 USD

At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to a Culture of Care— for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. Withmore than 400 hospitals across the U.S.and a team of over11,000 dedicated professionals, including1700+ 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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