Career Opportunities
Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic is locally operated as a proud member of the PetVet Care Centers Network.
Current Job Openings
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 Board-Certified or Residency Trained Equine or Mixed Veterinarian 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 Regional Manager.
Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic's large animal practice is an ambulatory practice, supported by two mobile veterinary units which carry a broad range of equipment and supplies that enable the staff to provide many diagnostic and treatment services on location including: x-ray, ultrasound analysis, and specialty farrier services. In addition to our normal emergency services for all animals, we provide 24 Hour Emergency Services for large animals. Our goal is to provide gold-standard care for equine, small ruminant, and small animal patients that our clients have come to expect from our doctors & staff over the years.
Compensation Package Includes:
- Competitive salary: $100,000 – $150,000 (negotiable based on experience)
- Production based bonus structure
- No negative accrual and no non-compete!
- Generous sign-on bonus and relocation assistance
Ready to take the next step? Apply today! For questions or to connect directly, please email your resume to Sonni Nevarez at snevarez@petvetcarecenters.com.
Key Responsibilities
- Comprehensive patient exams and medical work-ups
- Client communication and education
- Maintaining accurate medical records
- Pharmacy duties such as prescribing medications to patients and following controlled substance protocols
- Promote teamwork and staff efficiency
- Work with the Hospital Manager on weekly priorities and expectations
- Evaluate and monitor protocols for the daily running of the hospital from intake to discharge
- Monitor cases in the hospital and attend daily rounds when possible to be sure the highest standards are being upheld
- Participate in practice management updates and training at all levels
- Performs other duties as assigned by Management.
Qualifications (Required)
- Veterinarian degree (DVM or VMD) from an accredited college or university
- 1-year rotational internship in small animal medicine, surgery, ER (university or large referral practice).
- Completed a 3-year, AVMA approved residency program
- Current State Veterinary License
- DEA registration must be obtained and maintained
- Strong diagnostic and clinical 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, 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.
- May include some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
- Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work.
- Position does require the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)
- Board Certification
- 2-5 years of experience post-residency
- Clinical Knowledge and Skills: Demonstrate clinical knowledge and skill in examining and assessing animals. Perform cardiovascular, respiratory, orthopedic, neurological and other necessary examinations. Diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.
- Problem-Solving: Ability to develop solutions to challenges relating to the management of a high-quality veterinary hospital.
- Communication Skills: Demonstrate effective communication of diagnostic and therapeutic options to clients. Display effective communication with internal medical and hospital staff.
- Professionalism: Work as part of a high-quality, professional veterinary team with the ability to provide and receive appropriate constructive criticism, suggestions, and feedback.
- Business Acumen: Ability to understand the management and finances of the veterinary hospital practice.
- Ethics: Knowledge and understanding of ethical principles that guide decisions affecting patients.
- Commitment to Continuing Education: Commitment to utilize available resources of continuing education and to facilitate learning of others.
What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 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
Part Time candidates are welcome to apply and are eligible for fringe benefits such as license/dues reimbursement and a CE stipend, as well as a personal pet care discount.
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 that helps our hospitals thrive.
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
PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.
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 & Associate Veterinarian to join our team at Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic in the Agua Dulce community in Santa Clarita, CA. 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 Manager.
- The Medical Director (MD) is responsible for providing strong leadership for the hospital, managing and mentoring associate veterinarians, and assuring regulatory compliance relating to the practice of veterinary medicine. The MD is also responsible for maintaining an environment of teamwork in which the highest quality veterinary medicine is delivered. In partnership with the hospital leadership team, the MD holds shared responsibility for the financial health of the hospital, directing staff and the overall management of practice operations. The MD also serves as a staff veterinarian in addition to the administrative and leadership duties of the MD role. Effective MDs demonstrate strong work and professional ethics, a positive attitude, and uphold a high standard of patient care. They are part of the foundation upon which successful veterinary practices are built and directly impact and influence hospital culture and morale.
Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic's large animal practice is an ambulatory practice, supported by two mobile veterinary units which carry a broad range of equipment and supplies that enable the staff to provide many diagnostic and treatment services on location including: x-ray, ultrasound analysis, and specialty farrier services. In addition to our normal emergency services for all animals, we provide 24 Hour Emergency Services for large animals.
Agua Dulce is located along California State Route 14, halfway between Santa Clarita and Palmdale, and is just 45 miles north of Los Angeles, in the Sierra Pelona Valley region of Southern California. If you prefer a country lifestyle, you can enjoy our local wineries, restaurants, hiking trails, and experience the great outdoors at the beautiful Vasquez Rocks natural area. If Los Angeles is more your speed, then exploring our many tourist attractions or catching a local sporting event is within an hour’s drive. Southern California offers every sort of entertainment & outdoor activity imaginable to keep you plenty busy on your days off from work!
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary: $120,000 – $150,000 (negotiable based on experience)
- Lucrative Production based bonus structure
- Annual Medical Director stipend (paid bi-weekly)
- No negative accrual and no non-compete!
- Generous Sign-on bonus and relocation assistance
Ready to take the next step? Apply today! For questions or to connect directly, please email your resume to Sonni Nevarez at snevarez@petvetcarecenters.com.
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 return on investment
- Sees patients and handles clinical practice
- Ensures positive communication with clients and between doctors, including the 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, 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.
- May include some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
- Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work.
- Position does require 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
What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 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
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 that helps our hospitals thrive.
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
PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.
Why Consider Our Santa Clarita Hospital?
At Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic, our team members all share the same passion for making and keeping animals healthy.
Our hospital truly is an excellent place to work, with a highly skilled team focused on 'best in practice' veterinary care.
We are very supportive of individuals looking to grow their veterinary careers and look forward to hearing from you.
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We invite you to explore your veterinary career options with Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic, where you'll be a respected member of a team that loves animals and values the contributions from every individual on the team.- Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic Team
OUR CORE VALUES
Integrity
Local Leadership
Compassion
Excellence
Personalized Relationships
New Patients Welcome
Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic is accepting new patients! Our friendly and experienced vets are passionate about the health of Santa Clarita companion animals and horses. Get in touch today to book your four-legged friend's first appointment.