Associate Veterinarian

Vicar Operating, Inc. dba VCA; Laguna Niguel (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k with company match

Paid time off

Continuing Education allowance

Mentorship program

Employee pet discounts

Job summary

VCA Laguna Niguel Animal Hospital is seeking an Associate Veterinarian to join a collaborative team dedicated to world‑class medicine and compassionate care. You’ll work in a well‑equipped facility with digital radiology, a dental suite, laser therapy, and a supportive culture that prioritizes teaching and mentorship for new graduates.

The position offers full‑time schedules: 4 ten‑hour shifts per week, with operating hours 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, Monday through Saturday.

Qualifications

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

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree

Job description

Join us as an Associate Veterinarian at VCA Laguna Niguel Animal Hospital 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

• Join a collaborative team alongside two experienced Veterinarians
• Digital radiology
• Dental radiology and dental suite
• laser therapy and 7 exam rooms
• Hands‑free radiology
• Fear‑Free accredited or Fear Free Certified associates when possible
• Strong hospital culture with regular team building events
• Students and new graduates are encouraged to apply and will receive dedicated mentorship

Schedule

Full‑Time, 4 ten hour shifts per week

Hours of Operation

7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Cases

Dogs and cats

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 member of the VCA family, eligible full‑time employees will be rewarded with a comprehensive package, including:

• Compensation: The annual salary range for this position is $80,000 to $180,000. Salary is negotiable based on experience, skills, knowledge, abilities and other relevant credentials. This position may also be eligible for other variable pay programs.
• Health & Well‑being: Innovative Associate health and well‑being department (Headspace app subscriptions, Vault financial wellness tool, and access to additional mental health resources)
• 401k retirement savings plan with company match
• Health/dental/vision insurance, infertility benefits, gender affirmation services
• 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)

Qualifications

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

About VCA

VCA is a leader in veterinary care and is committed to taking care of the future of veterinary medicine. With a network of 1,000 animal hospitals, we impact pets, people and our communities by delivering world‑class medicine with hometown care to over 4.5 million pets annually. Trusted and empowered, our 35,000 Associates collaborate and unleash their unique power to achieve the best outcomes. With access to endless resources, we continuously learn and share knowledge to build fulfilling careers, push our profession forward and make a lasting impact on our shared future. VCA is part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, working towards A Better World for Pets. Learn more at www.vca.com or find us on social media.

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).

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.

A leader in veterinary care, VCA Animal Hospitals is committed to taking care of the future of veterinary medicine. We are a family of hometown animal hospitals determined to positively impact pets, people and our communities. From primary care to emergency, urgent and specialty care, VCA delivers world‑class medicine and hometown care to more than four million pets each year. We invest in cutting‑edge tools, training and technology that enable Associates across our national network of hospitals to lead the industry today and into tomorrow. Among the talented 35,000 Associates are nearly 7,000 veterinarians – including 500 who are board‑certified specialists – nearly 4,000 credentialed technicians and over 10,000 veterinary assistants – all dedicated to giving pets the very best in medical care. The future of veterinary medicine is in our hands.