Associate Veterinarian

Petco•Austin Central, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Veterinarian works in a Vetco Total Care full-service veterinary hospital and provides high-quality medical, surgical, dental, and preventive care to patients. The role uses a problem-based approach to assess patients, diagnose and treat diseases, create treatment plans, and document care in the medical record. Veterinarians are supported by medical leaders, quality equipment, and a paraprofessional team, and contribute to the hospital’s patient care standards, teamwork, and customer experience. The Veterinarian exercises judgment in patient-care decisions while following Petco Veterinary SOPs and receiving guidance from the Hospital Medical Leader or Area Medical Director. The role has no direct supervisory responsibilities but serves as a de facto leader in the hospital, helping develop staff knowledge and maintain a cohesive, well-trained, and motivated team. The position requires direct interaction with clients and their pets, as well as collaboration with veterinary specialists and service providers.

Requirements

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school.
Active veterinarian licensure without contingencies in the state where the hospital is located, or ability to obtain it by the start date.
Current DEA license.
Current Controlled Substance License, if applicable in the state where the hospital is located, or ability to obtain it by the start date.
USDA Category I (minimum) Accreditation, or completion within two months of the hire date.
Comfort performing anesthesia and routine surgeries, including canine and feline spays, neuters, mass removals, and dental procedures.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Compassionate and sympathetic manner, with the ability to maintain a professional demeanor during emotional and stressful situations.
Telephone and computer skills.
Ability to work as a team player, learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.
Excellent problem-solving skills that support timely diagnosis of patient problems.
Ability to perform required duties with or without reasonable accommodation, including bending, kneeling, lifting up to 30 pounds as necessary, and standing for long periods.

Responsibilities

Perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat diseases, and provide preventive care based on each patient’s signalment, lifestyle, and environment.
Use a problem-based approach by developing patient problem lists, differential diagnoses, diagnostic plans, and treatments based on test results.
Document patient observations, examination and diagnostic findings, treatments, medications, client interactions, and diagnoses in medical records.
Perform routine and complex surgical procedures, including spays and neuters, abdominal exploratories, and mass removals.
Perform routine and complex dental procedures, including dental examinations, evaluation of dental radiographs, extractions, and oral surgery.
Develop treatment plans for patients undergoing day hospitalization.
Transition patients to overnight care when needed and communicate with referral hospitals to support continuity of care.
Participate in rounds as the incoming or exiting doctor at the beginning and end of shifts.
Share knowledge with staff to improve the level of care and communication provided to patients and clients.
Perform additional duties as assigned.