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Associate Veterinarian

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Compensation

Salary
Range $95,600.00 - $203,000.00
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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
401k
Incentives
Paid Time Off

Job Description

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is a leading pet specialty retailer dedicated to helping pets live their best lives. Established for over 60 years, Petco has become a trusted destination for pet parents and their beloved animals, offering a wide range of products, expert support, and specialized services. With more than 29,000 team members operating across 1,500+ Petco stores throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Puerto Rico, as well as 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals and hundreds of preventive care clinics, Petco is at the forefront of the pet care industry. The company is committed to nurturing the pet-human bond by providing not only the essential supplies that pets need, such as food and toys but also comprehensive veterinary care and preventive services. Moreover, Petco has a strong commitment to animal welfare, demonstrated through Petco Love, a foundation that supports local animal welfare groups and has facilitated adoptions of approximately 7 million animals nationwide.

Joining Petco's Vetco Total Care Full Service Veterinary Hospitals as a veterinarian means becoming part of a world-class organization dedicated to quality care across the entire spectrum of veterinary services. The role involves working in a state-of-the-art facility equipped with advanced medical technologies such as ultrasound machines in every hospital, heated hydraulic surgery tables, and digital radiography (DDXR) systems. Veterinarians at Vetco Total Care are supported by expert medical leadership and a skilled paraprofessional team, which encourages continual professional growth in specialized fields such as dentistry and nutrition.

This full-time, on-site position located in San Pedro, CA, emphasizes a patient-first philosophy where veterinarians are entrusted with delivering exceptional veterinary care to animals. They play a critical role in diagnosing, treating, and managing the health of pets through physical exams, diagnostic testing, and preventive care strategies tailored to each patient's lifestyle and environment. These responsibilities are carried out using a comprehensive problem-based approach to ensure precise diagnosis and effective treatment plans. Veterinarians also perform various surgical procedures ranging from routine spays and neuters to more complex surgeries and dental treatments, including full dental evaluations and oral surgical procedures.

The veterinarian will actively participate in patient rounds, knowledge sharing, and fostering a collaborative and professional work environment. The position is designed to enable professional autonomy while providing supportive oversight from Hospital Medical Leaders and Area Medical Directors. Petco values teamwork, empathy, and professionalism in handling both routine and emotionally challenging situations encountered during veterinary care.

Candidates for this role must possess a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an AVMA-accredited institution, hold an active veterinary license without contingencies in California, and have relevant certifications including a DEA license and Controlled Substance License if applicable. The veterinarian should be proficient in anesthesia, surgical procedures, and have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

This position offers a competitive salary range from $95,600 to $203,000 annually, reflecting variations based on experience, location, and applicable minimum wage laws. Petco also provides an attractive benefits package including health and dental insurance, 401K plans, incentives, and paid time off, supporting both professional and personal wellbeing. Working at Petco is an opportunity to join a dedicated national team passionate about pets and committed to leading the future of veterinary care.

Job Requirements

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school
  • Active California veterinarian license without contingencies or ability to obtain by start date
  • Current DEA license
  • Current Controlled Substance License if applicable or ability to obtain by start date
  • USDA Category I accreditation or completion within two months of hire date
  • Competency in performing anesthesia and routine surgeries such as spays, neuters, mass removals, and dentals
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to maintain professionalism and compassion in stressful situations
  • Proficiency in telephone and computer usage
  • Willingness to collaborate and adapt to new veterinary techniques and treatment protocols

Job Qualifications

  • 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 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 but not limited to: 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 skills
  • Team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change

Job Duties

  • 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 detail fashion, according to practice convention
  • Perform routine and complex surgical procedures including 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

Job Criteria

Experience

No experience required


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