Associate Veterinarian

At our Vetco Total Care Full Service Veterinary Hospitals, our veterinarian position is the most immersive role in the hospital. Our hospital veterinarians live and breathe quality – in the pets they treat and the people they work with. They are supported by quality equipment, medical field leaders, and a paraprofessional team who are encouraged to expand their skill sets as subject matter experts in dentistry, nutrition and more.

All hospital partners are responsible for performing duties in a way that creates an environment in which:

• The patient’s needs always come first.
• Every team member understands that they have the power to do what it takes to create an exceptional customer and patient experience.
• Contentious issues are dealt with and resolved as they occur when possible, or as soon as is possible.
• Exceptional teamwork and commitment to shared goals benefits the entire organization.

Listed are the essential duties and responsibilities that are required of this position. The incumbent must be able to perform all the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provide excellent patient care by performing physical examinations, diagnosing and treating diseases, and providing preventive care according to patient signalment, lifestyle, and environment.
• Utilize a problem‑based approach that includes developing a complete problem list for every patient examined, a complete list of differential diagnoses for each problem identified, a complete diagnostic plan, and appropriate treatments based on interpretation of diagnostic test results leading to confirmed or suspected diagnoses.
• Document all patient observations, findings of exams and diagnostics, treatments and medications, client interactions, and tentative and confirmed diagnoses in the medical record in a concise and detailed fashion, according to practice convention.
• Perform routine and complex surgical procedures including (but not limited to) spays/neuters, abdominal exploratory, and mass removals.
• Perform routine and complex dental procedures including full dental examination, evaluation of dental radiographs, as well as simple and complex extractions and oral surgical procedures.
• Develop treatment plans for patients undergoing day hospitalization based on complete problem‑based assessment. Transition patients to overnight care as needed and communicate effectively with referral hospitals to ensure continuity of patient care.

• Participate in rounds as incoming or exiting doctor at beginning and end of shifts.
• Disseminate knowledge throughout staff to improve the level of care and communication provided hospital partners, to both the patient and the client.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

In all activities related to the care of individual patients, the Veterinarian will take direct supervision from the Hospital Medical Leader or Area Medical Director. The Veterinarian has discretion related to decisions regarding patient care, however, it is imperative that the Veterinarian uphold the standards set forth in the Petco Veterinary SOPs. The Veterinarian should expect to receive direction and guidance based on electronic medical record review from the Hospital Medical Leader or Area Medical Director regarding patient decisions and should accept such feedback as a means to elevate patient care in the hospital.

Problem solving is at the heart of veterinary medicine, and it is expected that any successful candidate will possess excellent problem‑solving skills that allow expeditious diagnosis of patient problems.

This position will impact the organization by contributing to the growth of a productive practice while focusing on a high‑quality standard of care. From an overall hospital organizational standpoint, this position is critical to ensuring that we have a cohesive, well‑trained, and motivated team. The desired result is the creation of an optimal environment that ensures employee retention, patient well‑being, and customer satisfaction.

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, however, as stated…