VCA Antech

Associate Veterinarian

VCA Antech$75K — $95K *
Healthcare
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited university.
  • Licensure in good standing or ability to obtain in Iowa.
  • Commitment to high standards of veterinary medicine and ethics.

Responsibilities

  • Provide world-class veterinary care with a focus on patient well-being.
  • Collaborate with a dedicated team of professionals.
  • Mentor and support fellow team members and new graduates.
  • Engage with clients to explain treatment plans and care strategies.
  • Perform a variety of veterinary services including advanced diagnostics.

Benefits

  • Innovative health and well-being resources including mental health support.
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance with additional benefits.
  • Paid parental, vacation, and sick leave.
  • Continuing Education Allowance and paid CE days.
Full Job Description
Join us as an Associate Veterinarian, DVM, at VCA Avondale Veterinary Hospital in Des Moines, IA and you'll quickly discover that you're well supported by world-class medicine, technology, facilities, and a talented team. You'll be empowered to do your best work with a team you can count on. At VCA, the future of veterinary medicine is in our hands.



Why Join the Team?
  • At VCA Avondale Animal Hospital, you can truly practice medicine your way. We're an AAHA-accredited, Fear Free Certified, and Gold-Level Cat Friendly practice located in Des Moines, IA. Our hospital is home to a dedicated, close-knit team of patient advocates who care deeply about great medicine and client communication.
  • When fully staffed, we're a 5-6 doctor hospital supported by a caring team that's actively growing. While we primarily serve dogs and cats, we welcome veterinarians with interest in exotics or pocket pets. You'll also enjoy access to special services and equipment including a full rehab room, echocardiogram and ultrasound, laparoscopic surgery, orthopedic capabilities, and a separate cat hospital.
  • Our culture blends the personal, relationship-driven feel of a community practice with the resources and professional network of VCA. Whether you're a seasoned veterinarian or a recent graduate, you'll benefit from mentorship, CE opportunities through WOOF University, and a network of over 4,500 VCA doctors-including 600+ specialists.
  • Beyond the hospital, you'll be part of the South Des Moines community, where we build lasting client relationships and partner closely with the Animal Lifeline of Iowa, a rescue for special needs animals. Located just minutes from downtown, Altoona, and Indianola, you'll have easy access to all that Des Moines has to offer.


Schedule
  • Full-time or Part-time Associate Veterinarian
  • Flexible scheduling designed to support work-life balance
  • Collaborative culture with 4-6 doctor coverage when fully staffed


Cases
At Avondale, you'll see a wide variety of cases, from routine wellness and preventive care to advanced diagnostics and procedures. Our doctors have opportunities to focus on their interests, with support for areas such as:
  • Dentistry
  • Ultrasound and echocardiography
  • Orthopedics and laparoscopic surgery
  • Rehabilitation medicine
  • Potential to expand into exotics or pocket pets

Our clients value the time we take to explain conditions and treatment plans, and our Fear Free approach ensures a positive experience for pets and their families. With a separate cat hospital, you'll have the ability to provide feline patients with a calm, dedicated space.

Who we look for
  • People obsessed with pets and their care
  • Dedicated experts who want to provide world-class medicine
  • Collaborators who enjoy teaching others and working as a team
  • Curious lifelong learners who want to grow and thrive for a dynamic and fulfilling career
  • Empathetic partners who develop strong client and Associate relationships built on trust


Total Rewards

As a VCA Associate, eligible full-time employees will be rewarded with a comprehensive package, including:

Compensation
  • Salary is negotiable based on experience, skills, knowledge, abilities and other relevant credentials. The salary range listed is based on a 40-hour work week. This position may also be eligible for other variable pay programs.


Health & Well-being
  • Innovative Associate health and well-being resources (Headspace app, Fidelity financial wellness tool, and access to additional mental health resources including Lyra Health)
  • 401k retirement savings plan with company match
  • Health/dental/vision insurance, infertility and gender affirmation benefits
  • Paid parental, vacation and sick leave


Professional Development
  • Continuing Education Allowance and paid Continuing Education Days
  • WOOF University - offering abundant CE for Doctors and the care team
  • Opportunities to participate in a robust Clinical Studies program


Discover Additional Benefits Benefits | VCA (vcacareers.com) (open link in new window)

Qualifications
  • A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, from an accredited university or equivalent
  • Licensure in good standing to practice in (IA), or the ability to obtain
  • A commitment to practicing the highest standard of medicine and upholding the veterinary code of ethics


Learn more about the hospital [Link to hospital website]

If you are a current associate, you need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).

About VCA Antech

VCA Antech is a leading provider of veterinary services in the United States and Canada. The company operates over 1,000 animal hospitals and diagnostic laboratories, offering a wide range of services including general medical care, surgery, and emergency care. VCA Antech is committed to providing high-quality care to pets and their owners, and has received numerous awards for its service and expertise. The company also operates a network of pet adoption centers, helping to find homes for thousands of animals each year. VCA Antech was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
Learn more about VCA Antech
Size
20,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1986

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