Medical Director - South Sacramento Pet Hospital (Sacramento)

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 hospitals and over 11,000 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.

Position Overview

We are seeking a compassionate and skilled Medical Director Veterinarian who thrives in a fast‑paced environment to join our team. The ideal candidate will be passionate about providing high‑quality veterinary care and possess excellent communication skills to build lasting relationships with our clients. You will work alongside a team of experienced veterinarians, technicians, and support staff and will work closely with the Hospital Manager and report directly to the Regional Manager.

South Sacramento Pet Hospital in Sacramento, California has been providing veterinary services to the community for over 60 years. It is our mission to provide state‑of‑the‑art medical care with compassion and exceptional service to our clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain a high quality of progressive veterinary care
  • Oversee and give directives regarding medical standards and quality of care
  • Set policies as they pertain to the practice of medicine
  • Work toward making various services work as one team
  • In conjunction with appropriate leadership team members, recommend additions to the hospital inventory
  • Budget for new equipment and provide a reasonable cost estimate and return on investment
  • See patients and handle clinical practice
  • Ensure positive communication with clients and between doctors, including the proper transfer of patient care responsibilities
  • Review patient records for completeness and accuracy and use them to promote medical excellence
  • Appropriately manage controlled drugs
  • Review and approve requests for alternatives to additional drugs and medical supplies
  • Conduct regular doctor meetings
  • Perform other duties as assigned by Manager
• Handle patient care problems, client complaints, and referral partner issues
• Manage veterinary, client, and board complaints and recommend resolutions
• Develop medical policies
• Assist in ensuring practice compliance with the State Veterinary Medical Practice Act, OSHA, and AAHA standards
• Monitor DVM performance and production, provide coaching when appropriate
• Serve as a mentor and role model for all staff veterinarians
• Lead candidate interviews of potential DVMs
• Identify new service opportunities that do not currently exist in the hospital
• Hold ownership for the revenue and success of the practice through monitoring key performance indicators and work with the Hospital Manager to make adjustments to achieve positive results
• Help 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 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
• Some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling may be required
• Some tasks involve periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work
• 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
• Exercise sound judgment and demonstrate exemplary decision‑making skills
• Professionalism and courtesy in all interactions with others
• Well‑developed interpersonal skills

Compensation and Benefits Overview

• Salary Range: $220,000 – $240,000
• Medical Director stipend
• No negative accrual and no non‑compete
• Generous sign‑on bonus
• Relocation assistance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Full benefits package, including quality health, dental, vision, disability, liability insurance, 401(k) with company contribution, reimbursement and time off for CE & license fees
• Signing, retention and relocation packages up to $100,000
• Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
• CE stipends and career development resources
• Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
• Local hospital culture backed by national resources

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Competitive salary and Production Bonus – no negative accrual option available
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• Team Member Pet Discounts
• Emotional wellbeing support
• CE stipends and career development resources

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

Pay Range: $220,000 – $240,000 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. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support.

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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