Associate Veterinarian

Join us as a Veterinarian at VCA Santa Margarita Animal Hospital and you’ll quickly discover that you’re well supported by world‑class medicine, technology, facilities and a talented team. You’ll be empowered to do your best work with a team you can count on. At VCA, the future of veterinary medicine is in our hands.

Why join the team

• Join our team where you will be supported by 2 RVTs and 5 VAs
• New X-Ray machine, new Ultrasound, new in house lab equipment and large surgery suite.
• Outside specialty doctors regularly perform echocardiograms and ultrasounds in house.
• Hands‑free radiology
• Fear Free Certified associates
• AAHA accredited
• Large boarding facility
• Beautiful and spacious hospital and treatment area.
• Less than 2 miles from lake.
• Fun team that works together well and loves to do team bonding outings.
• Students and new graduates are encouraged to apply and will receive dedicated mentorship

Schedule

• Full‑Time, Part‑Time
• Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am – 4pm

Cases

• Dogs and Cats

Who We Look For

• People obsessed with pets and their care
• Dedicated experts who want to provide world‑class medicine
• Collaborators who enjoy teaching others and working as a team
• Curious lifelong learners who want to grow and thrive for a dynamic and fulfilling career
• Empathetic partners who develop strong client and Associate relationships built on trust

Total Rewards

As a member of the VCA family, eligible full‑time employees will be rewarded with a comprehensive package, including:

Compensation

• The annual salary range for this position is $80,000 to $180,000.
• Salary is negotiable based on experience, skills, knowledge, abilities and other relevant credentials.
• This position may also be eligible for other variable pay programs.

Health & Well‑being

• Innovative Associate health and well‑being department (Headspace app subscriptions, Fidelity financial wellness tool, and access to additional mental health resources)
• 401k retirement savings plan with companymatch
• Health/dental/vision insurance, infertility benefits, gender affirmation services
• Paid parental, vacation and sick leave

Professional Development

• Continuing Education Allowance and paid Continuing Education Days
• WOOF University – offering abundant CE for Doctors and the care team
• Opportunities to participate in a robust Clinical Studies program

Discover Additional Benefits

Benefits | VCA (vcacareers.com)

Qualifications

• A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, from an accredited university or equivalent
• Licensure in good standing to practice in California, or the ability to obtain
• A commitment to practicing the highest standard of medicine and upholding the veterinary code of ethics

About VCA

VCA is a leader in veterinary care and is committed to taking care of the future of veterinary medicine. With a network of 1,000 animal hospitals, we impact pets, people and our communities by delivering world‑class medicine with hometown care to over 4.5 million pets annually.

Trusted and empowered, our 35,000 Associates collaborate and unleash their unique power to achieve the best outcomes. With access to endless resources, we continuously learn and share knowledge to build fulfilling careers, push our profession forward and make a lasting impact on our shared future.

VCA is part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, working towards A Better World for Pets. Learn more at or find us on social media.

Learn more about the hospital

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com