Career Center

1st Pet Veterinary Centers has three well-established locations in the metro-Phoenix area in which we offer Primary & Wellness Care; Emergency, Critical Care & Urgent Care; Soft tissue & Orthopedic Surgery; Internal Medicine; Rehabilitation and Radiology services. We have collaborative relationships with local Cardiologists, Oncologists, Neurologists, Dermatologists and other specialists in the valley, in order to offer whatever expert care our patients require. 

Although many practices provide these services, what makes us unique is that we are 100% employee-owned (a first in the industry) and we practice open book management, encouraging our team members to understand and play an active role in the business. It is vital to our culture that team members not only thrive in their position but continue to learn and grow. Although many in our industry are passionate about pets and their people, our employee owners’ dedication is reflected in our many certifications, awards, and industry leading practices:

• AAHA & AAHA Referral Practice Accreditations
• Fear Free Certified Practice
• Gold Certified Cat-Friendly Practice Gold
• 2016 Veterinary Economics Hospital of the Year
• Great Game of Business “Rookie of the Year” and “All Star” Champions
• RECOVER Rescuer Certification (all required training offered in-house)
• Full time Veterinary Social Work Program, dedicated to our team’s overall health & wellness, advocacy, and client support
• Professional Development – dedicated technical training, financial literacy education, leadership coaching, and career path mentoring

The 1st Pet Veterinary Centers Early Career Mentorship Program is a career development program with a market-leading compensation plan designed to accommodate your career goals in Emergency or Primary Care Practice. Formal medical mentoring includes case rounds with experienced emergency doctors and specialists, literature or M&M review with our in-house specialists, didactic lectures & coursework, and hands-on labs (including POCUS, RECOVER, vascular access, advanced life support, general & emergency surgery, and flexible endoscopy). Informal mentoring with our Veterinary Social Work manager covering effective interpersonal communication strategies for working with clients and team members. Psycho-social rounds and well-being support is also available. You will create educational presentations to demonstrate your understanding and mastery of key concepts. In clinics, you will work alongside specialists and veterinarians who have completed a rotating internship and/or have at least 5 years of experience. Doctors participating in the Program will receive quarterly evaluations and feedback, with independent shifts commencing after a period of direct mentorship, when YOU are ready. Of course, all of our doctors have easy access to colleagues when questions arise. With three 24/7 locations, our doctors are never alone. Once you attain independence, experienced emergency doctors and Board-Certified Specialists in Internal Medicine, Surgery and Critical Care are either on-site or a phone call away.

All doctors have access to STAT and comprehensive in-house laboratories, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and digital radiology studies interpreted by Radiologists. A 128-slice CT scanner is available at the Chandler location, and a flexible endoscope system is shared by the hospitals. Each of our hospitals have CVTs scheduled 24/7 and the capability to provide extended advanced life support, mechanical ventilation, advanced nutritional support, and advanced analgesia. Vapotherm high flow oxygen systems are available at all 3 hospitals.

The Early Career Mentorship Program is a full-time position, which can be structured into a 1, 2- or 3-year plan, based on your interests and desired pace of training. Although this program is intended to be an intensive learning opportunity, 1st Pet also emphasizes a sustainable, enjoyable, flexible working environment where work/life integration and balance are possible. The first-year salary is $120,000 based on anticipated progress from direct mentorship to more independence and core shift coverage. Emergency bonus is also available, depending on the balance of mentored versus independent work chosen by the candidate. We also offer a full array of benefits including health, vision, & dental plans, PTO, vacation, 401K, ESOP, Professional Liability, DEA license, AZ state medical license, disability, accidental life & death, dues, uniforms, monthly in-house chair massages, and access to financial planning. In addition, all continuing educational costs will be covered (estimated benefit of $12-20K, depending on the term of the program chosen).

Your schedule in the ER Practice Focus will include an equitable mix of traditional hours (weekdays) and non-traditional hours (nights, weekends, holidays). Each shift is about 12 hours, and you can expect to be scheduled on-service 36-42 hours per week (14 shifts per 28-day period). The Primary Care Focus is scheduled for 10-hour shifts 4 days per week. Additional time will be required for attending lectures, studying lessons and pertinent literature, creating educational content, and case/procedure preparation. Initially, you will have mentored case management under the guidance of an experienced attending veterinarian. In time, you will be permitted escalating direct case management responsibilities as you attain confidence and demonstrate competence.

Our goals with this program are to grow future 1st Pet employee-owners and leaders, as well as provide skills necessary to achieve a meaningful career in veterinary medicine. Employment is at-will, with conversion to permanent employment desirable at the end of the program, or sooner, if there is reciprocal interest. This is not an internship program, so there is no obligation to complete the program if 1st Pet Veterinary Centers is not the right place for you. Successful candidates will possess emotional intelligence and a desire for life-long, continuous learning. We will help hone your knowledge base and clinical talent - as long as you are willing to provide an enthusiasm for PETCARE.

Please reach out to us to learn more: drkreissler@1stpetvet.com

Web: careers.1stpetvet.com

Locations

About 1st Pet Veterinary Centers

1st Pet Veterinary Centers has three well-established locations in the metro-Phoenix area in which we offer Primary Care, Emergency and Specialty services. Although many practices provide these services, what makes us unique is that we are 100% employee-owned (a first in the industry) and we practice open book management, encouraging our team members to understand and play an active role in the business. It is vital to our culture that team members not only thrive in their position but continue to learn and grow. 1st Pet emphasizes a sustainable, enjoyable, and flexible working environment where work/life integration and balance are possible.

Connections working at 1st Pet Veterinary Centers