Associate Veterinarian

Location El Dorado Hills, United States Sector Other Salary $150,000.00 to $180,000.00 per annum

A four-day work week and a controlled caseload built around 40-minute appointments, at a hospital known locally for its high client retention and 4.9-star reputation.

This is a small animal general practice offering wellness and preventive care, surgery, dentistry, diagnostics, and end-of-life care. The hospital runs in-house diagnostics including digital x-ray, full lab work, and both cardiac and abdominal ultrasound, which keeps most cases moving without unnecessary referral. Appointments are scheduled at 10 to 12 a day, giving doctors real time for diagnostics and client conversations rather than rushing through visits.

The team includes three veterinarians with a mix of interests spanning internal medicine, surgery, dermatology, behavior, and ophthalmology, so there's regular opportunity to consult on cases outside your own specialty. The hospital is part of a privately owned, veterinarian-led group, which means clinical decisions stay with the doctors rather than being dictated by corporate metrics. Staff culture is described as tight-knit, with people who've been there a while and know the caseload well.

Schedule is four 10-hour shifts a week with a built-in lunch break, and the practice is closed weekends.

Key highlights

• Privately owned, veterinarian-led group, not corporate managed
• 4.9-star client rating
• Team of three veterinarians with varied clinical interests
• Controlled caseload averaging 10-12 appointments a day
• 40-minute appointment slots
• In-house digital x-ray, lab, and cardiac/abdominal ultrasound
• Regular surgery and dentistry, including extractions and advanced dental work
• Four-day work week, weekends off

About you

• DVM with an active license in good standing
• Comfortable managing a full caseload of wellness, surgical, and dental cases
• Interested in building long-term relationships with clients and patients
• Able to work independently while collaborating with a small team
• Looking for a practice with steady, manageable case flow rather than high volume

Benefits

• Base salary around $160,000, with most doctors earning $200,000+ through 20% production and no negative accrual
• Sign-on bonus up to $15,000, flexible depending on candidate
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage plus a $275/month health contribution
• 401(k) with 4% match after one year
• 3 weeks PTO plus 1 week CE
• CE allowance starting at $1,200, negotiable, with paid CE days
• Long-term growth opportunities within the ownership group