Associate Veterinarian

Petco•Avondale, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Veterinarian provides high-quality patient care at a Vetco Total Care full-service veterinary hospital. The role includes examining, diagnosing, and treating patients; providing preventive care; performing routine and complex surgeries and dental procedures; and developing treatment plans for hospitalized patients. Veterinarians document patient care and communicate with clients, hospital colleagues, veterinary specialists, and referral hospitals to support continuity of care. The veterinarian works under the direct supervision of the Hospital Medical Leader or Area Medical Director for patient-care activities, while exercising discretion in clinical decisions and following Petco Veterinary SOPs. The role is expected to contribute to a productive practice, high standards of care, teamwork, employee retention, patient well-being, and customer satisfaction. Although the position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, the veterinarian serves as a de facto leader in the hospital.

Requirements

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school.
Active veterinarian license 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 hire.
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 demeanor, with the ability to remain professional 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 to support timely diagnosis of patient problems.
Ability to perform 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 to develop patient problem lists, differential diagnoses, diagnostic plans, and appropriate 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 receiving day hospitalization.
Transition patients to overnight care as needed and communicate with referral hospitals to ensure 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 care and communication provided to patients and clients.
Perform additional duties as assigned.