Team Leader Veterinarian - LA, California

This role is at the heart of Buena Vida Veterinary Group’s mission to deliver exceptional care and expand access to high-quality veterinary services for Latino and underserved communities in the U.S. As a Team Leader Veterinarian (TLV) , you’re not just treating animals—you’re leading a clinic, shaping its culture, and building a legacy. You will be the face of the practice, mentoring a dedicated team, ensuring clinical excellence, and directly contributing to the growth of a network built on trust, equity, and long‑term partnership. Your work will not only impact your patients and clients—it will shape the future of a community‑driven veterinary movement and open doors for other talented professionals like you. This isn’t just a job. It’s a career‑defining opportunity to lead, grow, and become a co‑owner in something bigger. TLV Candidate Requirements Overview: Qualified candidates are not only investment‑minded, but are also strong, capable, experienced clinicians comfortable working without a senior veterinarian on site. The Team Leader Veterinarian (TLV) delivers good quality veterinary care to cat and dog patients, including medicine and surgery. This position also is accountable for being a leader of his or her support staff and being a force of positivity and encouragement to staff and clients. The TLV must be comfortable and fluent in both Latino and US cultures. General Competency, Production history, Academics and Experience • Able to comfortably work as a sole Team Leader Veterinarian, without a supervisor or senior veterinarian onsite (team leadership training to be provided). • High level of English fluency: written, spoken, and comprehension. • Achieved a minimum UNAM grade of 75, with preference given to 80 and above. • Is a high‑income producer relative to other equivalent position work colleagues in the clinic or other local veterinarians. • Minimum of 5 full years of full‑time clinical experience, working as a licensed veterinarian in full capacity, in a good quality veterinary practice providing small animal care. Other types of veterinary practices, including mixed animal practice, do not qualify. Personality (Crucial) • Wants to be a leader of a veterinary team (4‑10 people). • High social skills with clients and staff. • Leads by example. • Skilled communicator. • Motivated, long‑term investment‑minded, desires practice equity. • Strong work ethic. • Able to be both confident and have humility. • Extrovert, loves people. • Prefers growth in self, team members, and the business. • Understands the practice is a business first. • Understands relationship building and trustworthiness. • High honesty. • Efficient, dislikes wasting time, punctual, organized, completes tasks. • Optimistic, likes laughter, favors positivity. • Values being a mentor and a mentee. • Self‑aware (strengths and weaknesses), emotionally strong, able to manage emotions. • Strong sense of accountability. • Empathetic to staff, owners, and patients, without being enmeshed (excessive). • Soft touch with patients. • Courteous to clients, staff, and patients. • Continuously curious about medicine, surgery, leadership, people, etc. • Complementary to staff and clients (recognition, praise, positivity). • Never gossips about people or patients. • Understands veterinarian‑patient‑client relationship and impact on dispensing regulated drugs, diets, etc. • General drug prescribing practice, notations, regulations. • Controlled substances regulations including record‑keeping, administration, dispensing, and prescriptions. • Radiology safety, technique, record‑keeping. • Patient and client confidentiality law. • Employee overtime law. • Workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation laws. Clinical Skill and Knowledge Specifications General: Has knowledge acquired in passing licensing examinations. Moderate computer and technical knowledge (texting, email, word processing, image sending, use of VIN, able to use practice software, etc.). Understands when to refer to specialty or emergency care facility. Able gather history, including chief complaint related as well as diet, preventatives, new patient background, quickly and courteously. Able to render good quality, tip‑to‑tip examination. Knowledgeable of formal, technical restraint of dog and cat. Able to give SQ, IM, IV injections, place IV catheters, jugular venipuncture, cystocentesis, fine needle aspirate, nail trims. Able to provide clear client and staff communication in a like‑able way. Anesthesia Minimum Requirement: Competent to induce, maintain, monitor and recover high‑safety anesthesia using up‑to‑date practices, including intubation, vaporizers, the use of propofol induction, ECG, blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, pre‑medication protocols, pain control, pre and post oxygenation as appropriate, breed‑related modifications such as brachycephalic breeds, dosing to effect, using lower doses in geriatric patients, increasing response speed in small or young patients, positive pressure ventilation (manual), when to extubate safely, keeping warm. Understands when referral is necessary. Dermatology Minimum Requirement: Able to diagnose and treat common skin and ear conditions using up‑to‑date practices, including foxtails, atopy, food allergy, demodex, otitis, sarcoptes, notoedric mange, bacterial folliculitis, Malassezia, acute pyoderma, skin fold pyoderma, lick granuloma, auricular hematoma, feline acne, stud tail, dermatophytes, and flea and ticks. Understands when referral is necessary. Dental&Surgery Minimum Requirement: Able to perform dental scale, polish and extractions using up‑to‑date practices. Understands when referral is necessary. Minimum Requirement: Able to perform typical small animal surgical procedures such as spay, neuter, lumpectomy, laceration repair, minor gastrointestinal surgery, auricular hematoma repair, drain placement, mastectomy, simple hernia repair, and cystotomy. Understands when referral is necessary. Radiology Minimum Requirement: able to perform high quality dental and non‑dental radiology and interpret results while maintaining safety standards for self and staff and ensuring proper record keeping. Understands when referral and radiologist interpretation is necessary. Pharmacology, Toxicology, Immunology, Gastroenterology, Lymphatic, Hematology, Neurology, Breed Associated Diseases, Wound Healing, Cardiac and Respiratory, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Urinary, Endocrinology, Orthopedics For each specialty, minimum requirements include competent diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of when referral is necessary. (Detailed lists omitted for brevity.) Graduate of UNAM since 2011. At least 4 years of experience in a small animal clinic. Fluently bilingual (Spanish/English). Possess leadership skills and wants future development. Entrepreneurial, optimistic, eager for growth, investment‑minded. Responsibilities Clinical Excellence Deliver high‑quality medical and surgical care to small animal patients, using up‑to‑date standards and best practices. Team Leadership Lead, inspire, and mentor a team of veterinary technicians and support staff. Foster a positive, professional, and collaborative workplace culture. Client Relationships Build strong, trust‑based relationships with clients through excellent communication, education, and empathy. Practice Growth & Development Participate in the strategic growth of your clinic by enhancing service quality, patient volume, and operational efficiency. Cultural and Community Engagement Serve as a bilingual, bicultural bridge between the practice and the local Latino community, ensuring inclusive and culturally competent care. Mentorship and Expansion Help identify and support other qualified veterinarians for future expansion of the Buena Vida network, growing both your impact and the company’s value. Requirements We’re looking for more than just a skilled veterinarian—you’re a future leader and partner. You’ll thrive in this role if you meet the following qualifications: Professional Qualifications DVM degree / Graduate of UNAM FMVZ (Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia) from 2011 onward — NAVLE‑eligible At least 3 years of full‑time small animal clinical experience in a high‑quality practice Fluent in both Spanish and English (spoken and written) Comfortable practicing independently without on‑site supervision Strong medical and surgical competency across general practice areas Cultural & Leadership Readiness Deep understanding of both U.S. and Latino cultures Naturally optimistic, team‑oriented, and emotionally strong Proven ability to lead veterinary teams (4–10 staff) with confidence and humility Strong communication skills and ability to build trust with clients and staff Ownership & Growth Mindset Motivated by long‑term investment and equity ownership Willing to mentor others and help expand the Buena Vida network Values personal growth, accountability, and making a positive impact Understands that a veterinary clinic is also a business and leads accordingly Licensing Readiness Committed to obtaining AVMA certification and California licensure (full support provided) Benefits Projected Income Within 5 Years: Up to $182,000 USD , based on individual production performance Equity & Partnership Opportunity – After a 3–6 month evaluation period, eligible candidates may enter a structured work‑to‑equity agreement, leading to up to 20% ownership in the clinic over time Paid Time Off 2 weeks paid vacation, 1 optional unpaid week, paid holidays: January1, May1, September16, and December25 Continuing Education Up to $3,000 annually , paid time and access to mentorship and professional development, study stipend and full coverage for NAVLE , California Law Exam , and licensing fees Health & Professional Benefits 50% coverage for health, vision, and dental insurance; 100% paid: AVMA, CVM, VIN membership, PLIT insurance, DEA license Relocation & Licensing Support 100% paid: airfare, housing during licensing process, visa and Green Card fees, fingerprinting, and all required U.S. and California veterinary certifications #J-18808-Ljbffr