Associate Veterinarian

Petco•Des Moines, IA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Veterinarian provides medical and surgical care at a Vetco Total Care full-service veterinary hospital. The role focuses on high-quality patient care, effective client communication, and contributing to a cohesive, well-trained, motivated hospital team. The veterinarian has discretion over patient-care decisions while following Petco Veterinary SOPs and receiving guidance from the Hospital Medical Leader or Area Medical Director. The position involves examining, diagnosing, and treating pets; developing problem-based diagnostic and treatment plans; documenting care in medical records; and performing routine and complex surgical and dental procedures. The veterinarian also participates in shift rounds, shares knowledge with hospital staff, and supports continuity of care, including transitions to overnight care and communication with referral hospitals. The role has no direct supervisory responsibilities, though the veterinarian is expected to act as a professional, collegial leader within 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 manner, with the ability to maintain a professional attitude and 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 to support timely diagnosis of patient problems.
Ability to bend, kneel, lift up to 30 pounds as necessary, and stand for long periods.
Ability to communicate regularly with clients, veterinary specialists, and companies providing products or services used by the practice.

Responsibilities

Perform physical examinations and diagnose and treat diseases, as well as provide preventive care tailored to each patient's signalment, lifestyle, and environment.
Use a problem-based approach to develop 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 tentative and confirmed diagnoses in medical records.
Perform routine and complex surgical procedures, including spays and neuters, abdominal exploratories, and mass removals.
Perform dental examinations, evaluate dental radiographs, and conduct simple and complex extractions and oral surgical procedures.
Develop treatment plans for patients undergoing day hospitalization based on complete problem-based assessments.
Transition patients to overnight care as 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 care and communication provided to hospital partners, patients, and clients.
Perform additional duties as assigned.
Follow Petco Veterinary SOPs and consider guidance and feedback from the Hospital Medical Leader or Area Medical Director.
Work collaboratively and professionally with hospital veterinarians and team members.