Associate Veterinarian – Walnut Creek, California

Location Walnut Creek
Discipline: USA Veterinary
Job type: Permanent
Salary: $104000 to $220000
Contact name: Matt Doyle

Contact email: matt@supreme-ss.com
Job ref: VBE13-09

​Associate Veterinarian – Walnut Creek, California

Location: Walnut Creek, California
Salary: $104,000–$220,000 per year, depending on experience and other applicable factors
Schedule: Full-time | On-site
Caseload: Small animal general practice, preventive medicine, diagnostics, surgery, dentistry, and day hospitalization
Clinical Resources: Ultrasound, digital diagnostic radiography, dental radiography, heated hydraulic surgical tables, and comprehensive surgical and dental capabilities

About the Role

A full-service small animal veterinary practice is seeking a Full-Time Associate Veterinarian to join its clinical team in Walnut Creek, California.

Offering a salary range of $104,000–$220,000 per year, this position provides exposure to comprehensive veterinary medicine across preventive care, diagnostics, internal medicine, surgery, dentistry, and hospitalized patient management.

The veterinarian will have access to modern clinical resources including ultrasound, digital diagnostic radiography, dental imaging, and heated hydraulic surgical tables, alongside veterinary medical leadership and skilled paraprofessional support.

This opportunity is well suited to a veterinarian who enjoys managing cases from initial examination and diagnostic investigation through treatment, surgery, dentistry, follow-up care, and referral where appropriate.

About the Practice

This is a full-service small animal veterinary practice in Walnut Creek, California, providing comprehensive medical, diagnostic, surgical, and dental services.

The hospital is equipped with ultrasound, digital diagnostic radiography, dental capabilities, and heated hydraulic surgical tables, supporting efficient investigation and treatment across a varied general practice caseload.

Veterinarians have opportunities to perform routine and more complex surgical procedures, including spays, neuters, mass removals, and abdominal exploratory procedures, alongside comprehensive veterinary dentistry.

Dental services include full oral examinations, evaluation of dental radiographs, simple and complex extractions, and appropriate oral surgical procedures.

The practice follows a problem-based approach to veterinary medicine, encouraging clinicians to develop complete problem lists, differential diagnoses, diagnostic plans, and individualized treatment strategies based on clinical findings.

The clinical environment emphasizes teamwork, professional communication, and continued development, with support available from veterinary medical leaders, paraprofessional colleagues, and referral specialists where appropriate.

Responsibilities

The Associate Veterinarian will:

  • Perform comprehensive physical examinations on small animal patients.

  • Provide routine wellness and preventive healthcare.

  • Diagnose and treat illnesses, injuries, and medical conditions.

  • Develop complete patient problem lists.

  • Establish appropriate differential diagnoses.

  • Create individualized diagnostic plans.

  • Interpret laboratory and diagnostic findings.

  • Develop evidence-based treatment plans.

  • Utilize ultrasound and digital diagnostic radiography where clinically appropriate.

  • Manage acute and chronic medical conditions.

  • Perform anesthesia safely and appropriately.

  • Perform routine and more complex surgical procedures.

  • Perform canine and feline spays and neuters.

  • Perform mass removals and other appropriate soft tissue procedures.

  • Perform abdominal exploratory procedures where clinically indicated and within experience.

  • Provide routine and advanced veterinary dental care.

  • Perform comprehensive dental examinations.

  • Evaluate and interpret dental radiographs.

  • Perform simple and complex dental extractions.

  • Perform appropriate oral surgical procedures.

  • Develop treatment plans for patients requiring day hospitalization.

  • Monitor hospitalized patients and adjust treatment plans as necessary.

  • Coordinate transfer to overnight or referral care when appropriate.

  • Communicate effectively with referral hospitals to maintain continuity of patient care.

  • Maintain accurate and comprehensive medical records.

  • Document examinations, diagnostics, medications, treatments, client communications, and diagnoses.

  • Participate in clinical rounds and patient handovers.

  • Communicate clearly and compassionately with clients.

  • Collaborate effectively with veterinary specialists.

  • Share clinical knowledge with veterinary and paraprofessional colleagues.

  • Contribute positively to a cohesive and well-trained clinical team.

  • Maintain high standards of patient care, professionalism, and client service.

Candidate Profile

Applicants should hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or equivalent from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school.

Candidates should also possess:

  • Active California veterinary licensure or the ability to obtain licensure by the start date

  • Current DEA license

  • Controlled Substance License where applicable, or the ability to obtain one by the start date

  • USDA Category I Accreditation or the ability to complete accreditation within two months of hire

  • Confidence performing anesthesia

  • Ability to perform routine canine and feline surgery

  • Confidence performing spays and neuters

  • Ability to perform mass removals and routine dental procedures

  • Strong diagnostic and clinical problem-solving skills

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

  • Compassionate and professional client communication

  • Ability to maintain professionalism during emotional or stressful situations

  • Strong teamwork and collaboration skills

  • Willingness to learn new clinical techniques and treatment approaches

  • Openness to professional feedback and continued development

  • Appropriate computer and telephone skills

The position does not carry direct supervisory responsibility, although the veterinarian will be expected to act as a clinical role model and contribute to team knowledge, patient care standards, and the overall hospital culture.

Compensation & Benefits

The position offers:

  • $104,000–$220,000 annual salary range

  • Full-time employment

  • Modern full-service veterinary hospital environment

  • Ultrasound

  • Digital diagnostic radiography

  • Dental radiography and advanced dental capabilities

  • Heated hydraulic surgical tables

  • Exposure to routine and complex surgical cases

  • Exposure to routine and advanced dental procedures

  • Day hospitalization case management

  • Collaboration with veterinary specialists and referral hospitals

  • Veterinary medical leadership support

  • Skilled paraprofessional support

  • Opportunities to expand clinical knowledge and technical capabilities

The supplied information does not specify medical insurance, retirement benefits, PTO, continuing education allowances, or other employment benefits, so these should be confirmed during the application process.

Apply Today

This is an excellent opportunity for a veterinarian seeking an Associate Veterinarian job in Walnut Creek, California, offering $104,000–$220,000 per year and access to comprehensive diagnostic, surgical, and dental resources.

Veterinarians interested in a full-time small animal DVM position in Contra Costa County and the East Bay with exposure to ultrasound, surgery, advanced dentistry, diagnostics, and hospitalized patient management are encouraged to apply.

Contact:
Matt Doyle – Associate Talent Partner
T: (213) 258-1399
E: matt@supreme-ss.com