Associate Veterinarian

Want to help pets live their best lives?

The information below covers the role requirements, expected candidate experience, and accompanying qualifications.
We’re proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you .
Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets and people.
Pet First – Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.
Foster the Fun – Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services.
Let’s Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.
About Petco: We’re proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years — from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood — the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we’re here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.
At our Vetco Total Care Full Service Veterinary Hospitals, our veterinarian position is the most immersive role in the hospital. Our hospital veterinarians live and breathe quality – in the pets they treat and the people they work with. They are supported by quality equipment (ultrasound in every hospital, heated hydraulic surgery tables, DDXR), quality supportive medical field leaders and a quality paraprofessional team who are encouraged to expand their skill sets as subject matter experts in dentistry, nutrition and more. Come join a world class organization focused on celebrating your success and unique practice of Veterinary medicine as you lead your team through the next generation of full-service Veterinary Care.
All hospital partners are responsible for performing duties in a way that creates an environment in which:
the patient’s needs always come first;

every team member understands that they have the power to do what it takes to create an exceptional customer and patient experience;

contentious issues are dealt with and resolved as they occur when possible, or as soon as is possible;

exceptional teamwork and commitment to shared goals benefits the entire organization.

Essential Job Functions:
Listed are the essential duties and responsibilities that are required of this position. This section includes the primary accountabilities or duties of the job. The incumbent must be able to perform all the following duties and responsibilities w ith or without reasonable accommodation:
Provide excellent patient care by performing physical examinations, diagnosing and treating diseases, and providing preventive care according to patient signalment, lifestyle, and environment.

Utilize a problem-based approach that includes developing a complete problem list for every patient examined, a complete list of differential diagnoses for each problem identified, a complete diagnostic plan, and appropriate treatments based on interpretation of diagnostic test results leading to confirmed or suspected diagnoses.

Document all patient observations, findings of exams and diagnostics, treatments and medications, client interactions, and tentative and confirmed diagnoses in the medical record in a concise and detail fashion, according to practice convention.

Perform routine and complex surgical procedures including (but not limited) spays/neuters, abdominal exploratory, and mass removals.

Perform routine and complex dental procedures including full dental examination, evaluation of dental radiographs, as well as simple and complex extractions and oral surgical procedures.

Develop treatment plans for patients undergoing day hospitalization based on complete problem-based assessment. Transition patients to overnight care as needed and communicate effectively with referral hospitals to ensure continuity of patient care.

Other Duties and Responsibilities
Participate in rounds as incoming or exiting doctor at beginning and end of shifts.

Disseminate knowledge throughout staff to improve the level of care and communication provided hospital partners, to both the patient and the client.

Performs additional duties as assigned.

Nature of Supervision:
In all activities related to the care of individual patients, the Veterinarian will take direct supervision from the Hospital Medical Leader or Area Medical Director. The Veterinarian has discretion related to decisions regarding patient care, however, it is imperative that the Veterinarian uphold the standards set forth in the Petco Veterinary SOPs. The Veterinarian should expect to receive direction and guidance based on electronic medical record review from the Hospital Medical Leader or Area Medical Director regarding patient decisions and should accept such feedback as a means to elevate patient care in the hospital.
All hospital veterinarians should work together in a collegial fashion and are expected to behave in a professional and personable manner.
Planning and Problem Solving:
Problem solving is at the heart of veterinary medicine, and it is expected that any successful candidate will possess excellent problem-solving skills that allow expeditious diagnosis of patient problems.
Impact:
This position will impact the organization by contributing to the growth of a productive practice while focusing on a high-quality standard of care. From an overall hospital organizational standpoint, this position is critical to ensuring that we have a cohesive, well-trained, and motivated team. The desired result is the creation of an optimal environment that ensures employee retention, patient well-being, and customer satisfaction.
Supervisory Responsibility:
This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, however, as stated above the Veterinarian is a de facto leader in the hospital.
Education/Experience
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school.

Active licensure as a veterinarian without contingencies in the state in which the hospital is located or ability to obtain by start date.

Current DEA license.

Current Controlled Substance License, if applicable, in state in which the hospital is located or ability to obtain by start date.

USDA Category I (minimum) Accreditation or completion within two months of hire date.

Must be comfortable performing anesthesia and routine surgeries including but not limited to: canine and feline spays, neuters, mass removals, and dentals.

Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Must be compassionate and sympathetic, and be able to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor during emotional and stressful situations.

Must have telephone and computer skills.

Must be a team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.

Work Environment:
The majority of job duties are conducted in the Vetco Total Care veterinary full-service hospital. Position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds, as necessary), and standing for long periods of time. A large amount of this partner’s time will be spent in direct contact with clients and their pets.
Contacts:
This position will regularly communicate with clients, veterinary specialists, and companies that provide products and/or services that the practice utilizes.
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
The pay ranges outlined below are presented in accordance with state-specific regulations. These ranges may differ in other areas and could be subject to variation based on regulatory minimum wage requirements. Actual pay rates will depend on factors such as position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the minimum indicated in the pay range below, the regulatory minimum wage will be the minimum rate applied.
Salary Range: $95,600.00 - $203,000.00
Hourly or Salary Range will be reflected above. For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO - see Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.
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