Medical Director - Santa Fe Pet 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.

Position Overview

We are seeking a compassionate and skilled Medical Director to join our team at Santa Fe Pet Hospital in Merced, California. 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 Regional Director.

Why Join Us

• We are a full‑service animal hospital and offer a range of quality veterinary services to keep your cat or dog in optimal health, such as routine exams, vaccinations, dental care, surgery, and more.
• We believe that prevention is the most essential component of helping our patients maintain their long‑term health and well‑being. We always encourage clients to implement a regular schedule of vaccinations and wellness exams for their cats and dogs.

Compensation and Benefits Overview

• Salary Range: $200,000 - $235,000 per year
• Medical Director stipend
• No negative accrual and no non‑compete
• Paid time off and holidays
• Generous sign‑on bonus
• Relocation assistance
• Flexible schedule options
• Signing, retention and relocation packages up to $75,000
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Competitive salary and production bonus (no negative accrual option available)
• Paid parental leave (birth, adoption, foster)
• 401(k) with discretionary contribution
• 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

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 ROI
  • Sees patients and handles clinical practice
  • Ensures positive communication with clients and between doctors, including 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; ability to elicit information, establish rapport, and 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 requires 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

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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