Associate Veterinarian

Associate Veterinarian | Friends. Family. Neighbors. | Scottsdale, AZ

Desert Tails Animal Clinic

Scottsdale, Arizona


Scottsdale offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, vibrant city amenities, and year-round sunshine. Whether you're exploring the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, enjoying Old Town Scottsdale's restaurants and art scene, or simply relaxing in one of the area's beautiful neighborhoods, Scottsdale delivers an exceptional quality of life. With easy access to Phoenix and endless opportunities for recreation, it's an ideal place to build both your veterinary career and your life outside of work.


Open: Monday-Saturday


Work Week for This Role: Full-time or part-time opportunities available. Four-day work week available for full-time doctors with rotating Saturdays (approximately two per month).


Friends. Family. Neighbors.


That's not just a slogan at Desert Tails Animal Clinic-it's how we view every client, every patient, and every member of our team.


We believe exceptional veterinary medicine starts with meaningful relationships. Our clients trust us because we take the time to listen, educate, and partner with them throughout every stage of their pets' lives. Our team thrives because we support one another, communicate openly, and genuinely enjoy coming to work each day.


If you're looking for a veterinary hospital where high-quality medicine and authentic human connection go hand-in-hand, we'd love to meet you.


Make Desert Tails Animal Clinic Your Home Hospital


Located in beautiful North Scottsdale, Desert Tails Animal Clinic is a full-service small animal hospital committed to providing compassionate, personalized care backed by modern medicine and advanced technology.


Our doctors are supported by an experienced team, efficient workflows, and a collaborative culture that allows them to focus on practicing great medicine while building lasting client relationships. Whether you're an experienced veterinarian looking for your next long-term home or a recent graduate seeking mentorship and support, you'll find opportunities to grow and thrive here.


What You'll Practice


Our veterinarians enjoy a diverse and rewarding caseload that includes:

• Small animal general practice
• Preventive care and wellness medicine
• Companion animal medicine
• Puppy and kitten care
• Senior pet care
• Internal medicine cases
• Dermatology consultations
• Urgent care and same-day appointments during regular business hours
• Client education and relationship building
• End-of-life care and quality-of-life discussions

Surgery


Doctors interested in surgery will have opportunities to perform a variety of soft tissue procedures, including:

• Spays and neuters
• Mass removals and biopsies
• Wound repair
• Splenectomies
• Exploratory procedures
• Other routine soft tissue surgeries

Dentistry


We place a strong emphasis on oral health and provide:

• Professional dental cleanings
• Comprehensive oral health assessments
• Dental radiography
• Surgical dental procedures
• Advanced dental treatments

Why Veterinarians Love Practicing Here


At Desert Tails Animal Clinic, relationships come first. Our clients are engaged, loyal, and committed to providing excellent care for their pets, allowing our veterinarians to build long-term partnerships and practice medicine the right way.


You'll join a collaborative team that values communication, kindness, and continuous learning. Whether you're discussing a challenging medical case, performing surgery, educating a first-time puppy owner, or supporting a family through a difficult decision, you'll have the support of experienced teammates who genuinely enjoy working together.


Our doctors enjoy a varied caseload that includes preventive care, internal medicine, urgent care, soft tissue surgery, dentistry, dermatology, and senior pet care, creating opportunities to continue developing clinical skills while building meaningful client relationships.


Under the leadership of Dr. McKnight and an experienced support team, we're excited about the future of Desert Tails and the opportunity to welcome another veterinarian who shares our commitment to compassionate, high-quality companion animal medicine.


Mentorship & Professional Growth

We welcome veterinarians at all stages of their careers.

New Graduates Encouraged to Apply


Our structured mentorship program includes:

• One-on-one clinical guidance
• Collaborative case discussions
• Surgical mentorship opportunities
• Ongoing professional development
• Supportive doctor collaboration

Whether you're developing confidence as a new graduate or expanding your skills as an experienced veterinarian, you'll have the resources and support needed to succeed.


Qualifications

Required

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or VMD degree from an AVMA-accredited college of veterinary medicine (or equivalent certification for international graduates)
• Active Arizona veterinary license in good standing, or ability to obtain licensure prior to start date
• Successful completion of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE)
• Commitment to practicing high-quality, evidence-based veterinary medicine
• Strong communication and client relationship skills
• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset
• Passion for delivering exceptional patient care and client service

Preferred

• Experience in small animal general practice, urgent care, or companion animal medicine
• Interest in soft tissue surgery and veterinary dentistry
• Experience utilizing digital radiography, dental radiography, and in-house diagnostics
• Passion for client education, preventive care, and lifelong patient relationships

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
• Quarterly production bonuses with no negative accrual
• Sign-on bonus and relocation assistance available
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• Generous paid time off with rollover
• Paid parental leave and bonding time
• Continuing education allowance plus CE days
• Professional development support
• Paid professional dues and PLIT
• Structured mentorship program
• 401(k) options
• Personal pet discounts
• Plus more

Why Scottsdale?


Scottsdale is consistently ranked among the most desirable places to live in the Southwest, offering an exceptional combination of outdoor recreation, culture, dining, and career opportunities.


Enjoy:

• Hiking and mountain biking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
• World-class golf courses and outdoor recreation
• Old Town Scottsdale's dining, nightlife, and arts scene
• Luxury shopping and entertainment
• Beautiful neighborhoods and highly rated schools
• Easy access to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
• More than 300 days of sunshine each year

Join Our Team


If you're searching for an Associate Veterinarian opportunity where you'll practice high-quality medicine, build meaningful client relationships, and work alongside a team that truly believes in treating everyone like friends, family, and neighbors, we'd love to hear from you.


Apply today and discover why Desert Tails Animal Clinic has become a trusted part of the Scottsdale community.


Our salary ranges are primarily determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The Company offers competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision benefits, vacation, sick leave, 401(k), and more depending on location. You will be provided more detailed information about compensation and benefits for your specific location. Where required under applicable law, the company provides eligible employees with paid sick leave, health emergency leave, and similar benefits programs, all in accordance with the requirements of state and local law depending on the location of the practice you support.


The Company 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, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. Hiring decisions will be based on merit, qualifications and business needs.


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