Career Center

The purpose of this patient-focused Veterinarian position inherently involves providing excellent veterinary care to our Vetco Total Care full-service hospital patients and phenomenal customer care to their owners. The Veterinarian represents the mission and values to all clients and partners. Our Veterinarians set the tone for the technical and customer support team in the hospital and are responsible, like all team members, for fostering cohesion and motivation within the hospital partners.  

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.  

Essential Job Functions: 

Listed are the essential duties and responsibilities that are required of this position. This section includes the primary accountabilities or duties of the job. The incumbent must be able to perform all the following duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation:  

• 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 (but not limited) 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.  

Other Duties and Responsibilities  

• 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. 

• Performs 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 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.  

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, however, as stated above 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 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.  

• Must be comfortable performing anesthesia and routine surgeries including but not limited to: canine and feline spays, neuters, mass removals, and dentals. 

• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Must be compassionate and sympathetic, and be able to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor during emotional and stressful situations. 

• Must have telephone and computer skills. 

• Must be a team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.