Associate Veterinarian

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Pets, pet parents, and people – create a healthier, brighter future for all.

Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents, and partner staff. We are 29,000 strong and operate over 1,500 pet care centers in the U.S., Mexico, and Puerto Rico, including 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics, and eight distribution centers.

• 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 spays/neuters, abdominal exploratory procedures, and mass removals.
• Perform routine and complex dental procedures including full dental examination, evaluation of dental radiographs, and simple as well as 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 the beginning and end of shifts.
• Disseminate knowledge throughout staff to improve the level of care and communication provided to hospital partners, patients, and clients.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Nature of Supervision

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 regarding patient care decisions but must uphold the standards set forth in the Petco Veterinary SOPs. The Veterinarian should expect direction and guidance based on electronic medical record review and should accept such feedback as a means to elevate patient care.

Planning and Problem Solving

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.

Impact

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 standpoint, this position is critical to ensuring a cohesive, well‑trained, and motivated team, promoting employee retention, patient well‑being, and customer satisfaction.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, however, the Veterinarian is a de facto leader in the hospital.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent from an AVMA‑accredited veterinary school.
• Active licensure as a veterinarian without contingencies in the state in which the hospital is located or ability to obtain by start date.
• Current DEA license.
• Current Controlled Substance License, if applicable, in the state in which the hospital is located or ability to obtain by start date.
• USDA Category I (minimum) Accreditation or completion within two months of hire date.
• Comfortable performing anesthesia and routine surgeries including canine and feline spays, neuters, mass removals, and dentals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Compassionate and sympathetic, and able to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor during emotional and stressful situations.
• Telephone and computer…