Hospital Medical Leader or Associate Veterinarian

Want to help pets live their best lives?

We’re proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets and people.

• All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.

• Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services.

• We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.

• 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.
• Document all patient observations, findings of exams and diagnostics, treatments and medications, client interactions, and tentative and confirmed diagnoses in the medical record concisely and in detail, 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 the beginning and end of shifts.
• Disseminate knowledge throughout staff to improve the level of care and communication provided to hospital partners, to both the patient and the client.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

The Veterinarian receives direct supervision from the Hospital Medical Leader or Area Medical Director for individual patient care. The Veterinarian has discretion for patient‑care decisions but must follow standards set forth in the Petco Veterinary SOPs.

Problem solving is at the heart of veterinary medicine; a successful candidate must 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 delivering high‑quality care, supporting employee retention, patient well‑being, and customer satisfaction.

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but the Veterinarian acts as 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 where the hospital is located or ability to obtain by the 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 the 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, maintaining a professional attitude during emotional and stressful situations.
• Telephone and computer skills.
• Team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments,…