Hospital Medical Leader or Associate Veterinarian

Petco•Sarasota, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The veterinarian at a Vetco Total Care Full Service Veterinary Hospital provides comprehensive patient care and contributes to a high-quality, productive practice. Veterinarians are supported by quality equipment, medical field leaders, and a paraprofessional team encouraged to develop expertise in areas such as dentistry and nutrition. The role helps lead the hospital team in delivering full-service veterinary care and supports an environment focused on patient well-being, exceptional customer experiences, teamwork, employee retention, and customer satisfaction. The veterinarian exercises discretion in patient-care decisions while adhering to Petco Veterinary SOPs and receives direction and guidance from the Hospital Medical Leader or Area Medical Director, including through electronic medical record review. Hospital veterinarians are expected to work collegially and professionally. The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but 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 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 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.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care by performing physical examinations, diagnosing and treating diseases, and providing preventive care based on each patient's signalment, lifestyle, and environment.
Use a problem-based approach for each patient, including creating a problem list, identifying differential diagnoses, developing a diagnostic plan, and selecting appropriate treatments based on diagnostic results.
Document patient observations, examination and diagnostic findings, treatments, medications, client interactions, and tentative and confirmed diagnoses in the medical record.
Perform routine and complex surgical procedures, including spays and neuters, abdominal exploratory procedures, 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 based on a complete problem-based assessment.
Transition patients to overnight care when 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 level of care and communication provided to hospital partners, patients, and clients.
Perform additional duties as assigned.