Description
Naturopathic Physician - Women's Hormonal Health & Fertility Specialist
EmpowerMed Naturopathic Medicine | San Diego, CA | Part-Time (20 hrs/week)
We're Not Just Hiring. We're Building a Legacy in Women's Health.
EmpowerMed is a specialty naturopathic practice exclusively focused on women's hormonal health and fertility - serving the patients conventional medicine has labeled "fine" but who know something is deeply wrong. We're the practice where hope is restored, root causes are found, and healing partnerships are forged.
We're seeking an experienced naturopathic physician who specializes in female reproductive health and endocrinology to join our growing team. You'll work alongside a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist (FABNE) in a well-established practice with proven systems, dedicated patients, and a culture built on our H.E.A.R.T. values.
The Immediate Opportunity: We need clinical coverage beginning September 2026 when Dr. Carleigh Golightly-Downing begins maternity leave. This isn't a temporary position - we're seeking a physician who will integrate into the practice long-term and help us continue our growth trajectory. You'll have the unique advantage of stepping into an established patient panel while building your own practice simultaneously.
This isn't a corporate job. This is a calling for the right physician.
The Clinical Opportunity
Your Patient Population:
Women experiencing complex hormonal dysfunction who are:
Navigating PCOS, unexplained infertility, or recurrent pregnancy loss
Struggling with hypothyroidism that's "managed" but not resolved
Experiencing perimenopause symptoms dismissed by conventional medicine
Dealing with hormonal imbalances affecting metabolism, mood, and quality of life
Seeking partnership in their health journey, not just prescriptions
These are informed, invested patients who:
Value comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment
Are willing to do the work required for deep healing
Appreciate the therapeutic relationship as medicine itself
Generate meaningful clinical outcomes that remind you why you became a naturopath
Your Clinical Practice:
Focus area: Female reproductive endocrinology, hormonal optimization, fertility support
Appointment structure: 60 minute new patients, 30-45 minute follow-ups
Patients per week: Building to 15-20 patient visits/week at full capacity
Schedule: Part-time, 20 clinical hours/week (2-3 days, flexible during ramp-up)
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday availability preferred initially to coordinate with Dr. Carleigh's established schedule during the onboarding period
Clinical autonomy: Practice your way, with mentorship available when desired
Billing rate: Average $300/hour
The Maternity Leave Coverage Component:
Timeline & Structure:
Start date: Flexible Q3 2026 (ideally by July to allow transition time)
Initial phase: Build your own patient panel while learning our systems and shadowing Dr. Carleigh
September 2026 onwards: Provide clinical coverage for Dr. Carleigh's established patients during her maternity leave (minimum 6 months)
Post-maternity leave: Continue as part of our multi-provider model, maintaining patients you've built relationships with while Dr. Carleigh returns to practice
What This Means for You:
Faster ramp-up: You'll have access to an established patient base during maternity leave, accelerating your path to sustainability
Built-in mentorship period: Work alongside Dr. Carleigh before she goes on leave to learn our protocols, patient preferences, and clinical approach
Patient continuity opportunity: Some of Dr. Carleigh's patients may choose to continue with you long-term, jumpstarting your panel
Lower initial financial risk: Coverage work provides immediate patient volume while you simultaneously build your own practice
Long-term growth: You're not a temp - you're becoming a permanent part of our expanding team
This is a unique opportunity to step into clinical volume immediately while building your own sustainable practice foundation.
Available Modalities & Services:
Comprehensive functional lab testing (hormones, metabolic panels, microbiome, food sensitivities)
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)
Fertility optimization protocols
Advanced thyroid management
Lifestyle and nutritional therapeutics
Constitutional hydrotherapy and Craniosacral therapy
Emsculpt NEO aesthetic and pain management therapy
Acupuncture (provided by colleague, collaborative referrals)
IV/injection therapy including NAD+ and GLP1
In-office referrals for a holistic esthetician, and a mental health NP who provides TMS and ketamine therapy
The Mentorship Component:
Work directly with Dr. Carleigh Golightly-Downing, FABNE (Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology):
Pre-maternity leave (Q2-August 2026): Intensive shadowing, case consultation, and protocol training to prepare you for patient coverage
Ongoing mentorship: Regular case consultation on complex endocrine presentations (continuing after return from leave)
Advanced training in functional lab interpretation
Guidance on fertility protocols and BHRT
Clinical decision support when you need it
Teaching opportunities as you develop expertise
You're not being thrown into the deep end alone. You're joining an established specialist who's built this practice specifically to be a center of excellence in women's hormonal health, and who will ensure you're fully prepared to provide exceptional care during her absence.
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications:
Licensure & Education:
Licensed Naturopathic Physician in California (or able to obtain California license within 60 days)
Graduate of CNME-accredited naturopathic medical school
Current DEA license (or willing to obtain)
Clinical Experience:
3-7+ years experience in clinical practice
Demonstrated expertise in female reproductive health and/or endocrinology
Strong foundation in:
Hormone replacement protocols (bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA)
Fertility assessment and optimization
PCOS diagnosis and comprehensive management
Thyroid disorders (Hashimoto's, hypothyroidism, subclinical presentations)
Perimenopause and menopause management
Functional lab interpretation (DUTCH, comprehensive metabolic panels, specialty hormonal testing)
Specialized Training (Highly Preferred):
FABNE certification (Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology) - certified or actively pursuing
Additional training in reproductive endocrinology, fertility, or women's health
Advanced coursework in bioidentical hormone replacement
Functional medicine training or certification (IFM, AFMCP)
Critical for This Role:
Availability to start by July 2026 (allows 2 months of transition/training before maternity leave coverage begins)
Commitment to long-term practice building beyond maternity leave coverage period
Flexibility and adaptability to manage both your developing patient panel and established patient coverage
Strong clinical judgment to independently manage complex cases during Dr. Carleigh's absence (with support as needed)
Clinical Competencies:
Skilled diagnostic reasoning for complex, chronic hormonal presentations
Comfortable managing patients requiring nuanced, long-term protocols
Experience with comprehensive intake and treatment planning
Ability to educate and empower patients as collaborative partners
Strong documentation and clinical communication skills
Comfortable stepping into ongoing patient relationships and maintaining continuity of care
The Intangibles We Can't Teach:
You believe:
The therapeutic relationship itself is medicine
Every body is different - protocols must be individualized
Listening is as powerful as prescribing
Patients deserve to be seen, heard, and understood
Sustainable healing requires partnership, not paternalism
You are:
Entrepreneurial - You see opportunity in building something, not just maintaining it
Collaborative - You value mentorship, team input, and shared learning
Mission-driven - Patient outcomes matter more than volume
Comfortable with ambiguity - You're joining a growth-stage practice, not a corporate machine
Committed to excellence - "Good enough" isn't in your vocabulary
Trustworthy - Dr. Carleigh needs to know her patients will receive exceptional care in her absence
You want:
To specialize deeply rather than practice broadly
Clinical autonomy with support when needed
Work that feels meaningful, not transactional
Financial upside tied to your contribution
To be part of building something that outlasts you
A faster path to full clinical volume through maternity leave coverage while building your own foundation
What You Don't Need:
You don't need a huge social media following or existing patient base (although it’s great if you have it!)
You don't need to be an extrovert or natural marketer
You don't need every answer figured out - we'll grow together
You don't need prior business ownership experience
Compensation & Financial Structure
We believe in radical transparency. Here's exactly how this works:
Phase 1: Foundation Building (Months 1-3, approximately)
Base Salary: $4,000/month
Guaranteed income while you build your patient panel AND learn our systems
No production requirements or commission calculations
Focus on: patient acquisition, shadowing Dr. Carleigh, learning protocols, clinical integration
Training on our established patient cases in preparation for September coverage
Our investment in you: $12,000 over three months
Phase 2: Sustainability Milestone Evaluation (Beginning Month 4)
Starting in Month 4, you'll be evaluated monthly for "sustainability" - the point where your practice becomes financially self-supporting.
Important Note on Maternity Leave Coverage: Collections from Dr. Carleigh's patients during her maternity leave (September 2026 onwards) will count toward YOUR collections for sustainability and commission calculations. This means you can achieve sustainability faster through the combination of your own new patients plus coverage patients.
Sustainability is defined as meeting BOTH criteria:
Revenue threshold: 3-month rolling average collections of $12,000/month from your patient panel (including maternity leave coverage patients)
At $300/hour billing rate, this represents approximately 12 billable hours per week
Achievable milestone typically reached within 4-6 months
Likely to be achieved during or shortly after maternity leave coverage begins due to established patient volume
Represents roughly 60% of full capacity (conservative and fair)
Patient panel minimum: Active base of 20+ patients
Active = seen within past 90 days OR scheduled appointment on books
Includes both patients you've personally acquired AND patients you're seeing for maternity coverage
Ensures you're building recurring relationships, not just one-time visits
Validates sustainable practice development
Why these thresholds?
They cover the practice's costs while leaving reasonable margin
They're achievable for a competent physician within 4-6 months
They're highly likely to be achieved during maternity leave coverage given the established patient volume
They ensure you're building a real practice, not just hitting revenue spikes
They protect both parties' interests
Phase 3: Mature Practice Compensation (Once Sustainability Achieved)
The Structure:
Base Salary: $2,000/month (ongoing financial security)
Commission: 30% of ALL monthly collections from your patient panel (including maternity leave coverage patients)
Important: Commission applies to your total collections, not just amounts above the $12,000 threshold
After 12 Months of Employment:
Profit-Sharing Eligibility: 5-15% of annual practice net profit growth
Distributed among eligible providers based on contribution, performance and tenure
Calculated and paid annually
Rewards practice-wide success, not just individual patient revenue
Compensation Examples at Various Stages:
At Sustainability Level ($12,000/month in collections):
Base salary: $2,000
Commission (30% of $12K): $3,600
Monthly total: $5,600
Annualized: $67,200
Plus profit-sharing (Year 2+): ~$3,360-$10,080
TOTAL YEAR 2: ~$70,560-$77,280
During Maternity Leave Coverage (estimated $18,000-$21,000/month in collections):
Example at $20,000/month:
Base salary: $2,000
Commission (30% of $20K): $6,000
Monthly total: $8,000
Annualized: $96,000
Plus profit-sharing (Year 2+): ~$15,000-$20,000
TOTAL: ~$111,000-$116,000
Post-Maternity Leave (maintaining some coverage patients + your own panel, estimated $15,000-$18,000/month):
Example at $16,000/month:
Base salary: $2,000
Commission (30% of $16K): $4,800
Monthly total: $6,800
Annualized: $81,600
Plus profit-sharing: ~$15,000-$20,000
TOTAL: ~$96,600-$101,600
What This Means:
Year 1 projected earnings: $75,000-$105,000 (accounting for ramp-up + maternity coverage boost)
Year 2+ projected earnings: $95,000-$120,000 (with profit-sharing)
For 20 hours/week of clinical time (can expand to more hours if desired)
Uncapped earning potential - as you grow, you benefit directly
Faster path to higher earnings through maternity leave coverage opportunity
Hourly equivalent at maternity coverage capacity: ~$110-120/hour take-home (you bill at $300/hour, keep ~$110-120/hour)
Additional Benefits:
Paid sick leave
401k
Access to in-house clinical mentorship and case consultation
Flexible schedule during ramp-up phase
Professional development support (FABNE certification, specialty trainings)
Transparency & Support:
You'll receive monthly performance reports showing:
Your monthly collections (actual and 3-month rolling average)
Your active patient count
Progress toward sustainability threshold
Projected earnings based on current trajectory
Breakdown of collections from your own patients vs. coverage patients (for your information)
You'll always know exactly where you stand.
Performance Review Process:
If sustainability thresholds are not achieved within 6 months, we'll conduct a collaborative review to assess:
Patient acquisition challenges and solutions
Clinical efficiency opportunities
Marketing and referral support needs
Mutual fit assessment
Our goal is your success. If barriers exist, we'll work together to address them. If after honest evaluation we determine this isn't the right fit for either party, we'll part ways professionally with appropriate notice.
Why This Compensation Model?
Traditional models offer:
Fixed salary (security but capped earnings)
Pure commission (high upside but high risk and income volatility)
Our hybrid model offers:
Security during ramp-up ($4K guaranteed while building)
Ongoing baseline stability ($2K once sustainable)
Significant upside through commission (30% of collections)
Shared success through profit-sharing (5-15% of growth)
Accelerated earnings through maternity coverage opportunity
Alignment of incentives - when you succeed, we all succeed
This is designed for a physician who:
Values security but wants unlimited upside
Is confident in their clinical abilities
Wants to build wealth, not just earn a paycheck
Sees opportunity in growth rather than fear in risk
Appreciates the unique advantage of stepping into established patient volume
About EmpowerMed
Our Foundation:
Founded in 2019 by Dr. Carleigh Golightly-Downing, FABNE, EmpowerMed has established itself as San Diego's specialty destination for women's hormonal health and fertility. We've built our reputation on clinical excellence, comprehensive care, and genuine therapeutic partnerships.
Our H.E.A.R.T. Values:
H - Home Base: We create a safe, welcoming space where patients feel heard and held through their healing journey.
E - Every Body is Different: We reject one-size-fits-all protocols. Individualized assessment and treatment aren't luxuries - they're requirements.
A - Actually Walk It: We practice what we preach. Our own health practices align with what we recommend.
R - Real Talk: We have honest, compassionate conversations - even when they're difficult. No false promises, no medical gaslighting.
T - The Whole Picture: We see beyond symptoms to the whole person - physical, emotional, relational, spiritual context matters.
These aren't poster values. They're hiring criteria, performance standards, and cultural foundations.
Our Patient Experience:
Comprehensive intake process (health history, timeline, functional assessment)
Advanced functional lab testing when indicated
Individualized treatment protocols
Regular follow-up and protocol refinement
Access to complementary modalities (hydrotherapy, Emsculpt, acupuncture, IV therapy)
Patient education and empowerment throughout
Our Systems & Infrastructure:
We utilize Scaling Up methodology for strategic planning and execution:
Quarterly "Rocks" (3-5 major priorities)
Weekly team huddles for alignment and accountability
Monthly team meetings for scorecard review and strategic discussion
Annual vision planning
Clear KPIs and performance tracking
You're not joining a startup - you're joining a functioning, growth-stage practice with proven systems.
Our Team Culture:
Small, values-aligned team
Collaborative, non-hierarchical environment
Commitment to clinical excellence and patient outcomes
Support for professional development and specialization
Work-life integration (part-time structure by design)
Supportive of major life transitions (we understand maternity leave, family needs, and work-life balance)
Our Location:
Beautiful office space in Rancho Bernardo, featuring:
Private treatment rooms
Hydrotherapy and acupuncture suite
Emsculpt room
IV therapy area
Comfortable patient waiting area
Professional, welcoming aesthetic
Serving patients throughout San Diego County and beyond who seek specialized naturopathic endocrinology care.
The Reality Check
This Role Is NOT For You If:
You need $120K guaranteed from day one regardless of performance
You want a 9-5 job with zero entrepreneurial thinking required
You're uncomfortable with the financial structure during ramp-up
You prefer high-volume, quick-appointment models
You're not genuinely passionate about hormonal health and fertility
You want a fully built practice with no growth required
You're only looking for a temporary role without long-term commitment
You're unable to start by end of July 2026
This Role IS For You If:
You can manage on $4K/month for 3-4 months while building your panel
You're confident you can build to $12K+/month in collections within 6 months (accelerated by maternity coverage)
You're excited about $100K+ earning potential for part-time work
You want mentorship from a FABNE specialist
You value clinical depth over appointment volume
You're building a career in women's health, not just taking a job
You see opportunity in being part of something growing
You're committed to long-term practice beyond the maternity coverage period
You view maternity coverage as an accelerator, not the end goal
You can be available to start by the end of July 2026
Still reading? Good. Most physicians will self-select out by now.
Application Process
To Apply, Please Submit:
1. Your Story (not a generic cover letter)
Address these questions in 1-2 pages:
Why naturopathic medicine? What drew you to this profession?
Why specialize in women's hormonal health and endocrinology?
What are you building toward in your career over the next 3-5 years?
Why does this opportunity interest you, specifically?
How do you feel about the maternity leave coverage component and long-term commitment?
How do you feel about the compensation structure we've outlined?
Which of our H.E.A.R.T. values resonates most with you, and why?
Can you start by end of July 2026?
2. Current CV/Resume
Include:
Clinical experience and specialty focus
Relevant certifications (FABNE, IFM, specialty trainings)
Any teaching, writing, or speaking in women's health/endocrinology
Key clinical competencies
3. Clinical Case Example
Briefly describe (1-2 paragraphs) one case you're particularly proud of:
What made it complex or meaningful?
What was your approach?
What was the outcome?
Why does it represent your clinical philosophy?
4. Three Professional References
At least one should be able to speak to your clinical work in women's health or endocrinology.
Email Complete Application To:
drgolightly@empowermedclinic.com
Subject Line: "Women's Health ND Position - [Your Name]"
Please include "Building With You" somewhere in your email so we know you've read this entire posting.
Selection Timeline
Applications reviewed: On a rolling basis with priority given to candidates who can start by the end of July 2026
Initial response: Within 5 business days to all complete applications
First round: 45-minute video interview to assess alignment on values, clinical approach, compensation structure, and timeline
Second round: Working interview/clinic observation
Shadow Dr. Carleigh for a half-day
Meet the team
See our systems in action
Mutual evaluation of clinical and cultural fit
Final decision: Within 1-2 weeks of working interview
Target start date: June-July 2026 (to allow transition time before September maternity leave)
Given the September 2026 timeline, we're moving quickly to fill this position. Early applications will be prioritized.
A Final Word from Dr. Carleigh
"I built EmpowerMed because I believe women deserve better than being told they're 'fine' when they know they're not. I believe the therapeutic relationship is medicine. I believe every body is different and requires individualized care. And I believe naturopathic physicians should be compensated for the depth and quality of care we provide.
As I prepare for this exciting new chapter of growing my own family, I'm looking for someone who shares these beliefs and wants to build this vision alongside me. This isn't just about maternity leave coverage - it's about finding the right physician to help EmpowerMed continue thriving and growing for years to come.
The timing creates a unique opportunity: you'll have intensive mentorship from me before I go on leave, immediate access to established patient volume during my absence, and a clear path to building your own sustainable practice within our growing team.
If this resonates with you, I want to hear from you."
- Dr. Carleigh Golightly-Downing, ND, FABNE
Founder & Lead Clinician, EmpowerMed
Equal Opportunity Statement
EmpowerMed is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Additional Information
Practice Website: https://www.empowermedclinic.com/
Instagram: empowermed_sandiego
Learn More About Dr. Carleigh: https://www.empowermedclinic.com/practitioners/carleigh-golightly-downing
