Associate Veterinarian

Caring Hands Animal Hospital; Lake City (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Malpractice insurance

Licenses and dues covered

Medical insurance or stipend

Dental and vision insurance

Relocation assistance

Continuing education allowance

Mentorship resources

Uniform allowance

Paid time off and holidays

Flexible scheduling

No on-call or after-hours shifts

No Saturdays or Sundays

Employee discounts on pet care

Job summary

Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Florida is seeking a compassionate Veterinarian for a small-animal only practice across our Lake City and Live Oak locations. You will diagnose, treat, and educate pet owners while collaborating with a dedicated support team.

New graduates are welcome; experienced vets can build lasting client relationships. Flexible mentorship options and a supportive environment are provided to help you thrive.

Qualifications

• DVM degree from an accredited veterinary school.
• Florida veterinary license in good standing (or ability to obtain).
• Strong desire to work in a small-animal, team-based practice.
• Excellent communication with clients and team members.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and treat small animals with a compassionate approach.
• Perform surgeries and medical procedures, including routine soft tissue surgery.
• Develop clear treatment plans and communicate options to pet owners.
• Administer vaccines and medications, and provide wellness guidance.
• Maintain accurate medical records and participate in ongoing education.

Skills

Client communication

Team collaboration

Compassionate care

Mentorship acceptance

Education

DVM degree from accredited veterinary school

Florida veterinary license or eligibility

Job description

About Us

Caring Hands Animal Hospital is a privately owned practice looking for a veterinarian to join our team across our two locations in Lake City and Live Oak, Florida — with easy interstate access to Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Valdosta. Both practices are AAHA-accredited, paperless, and fully equipped with an in-house lab, digital and dental radiography, therapeutic laser, and ultrasound, so you have everything you need to practice great medicine from day one.

We believe thorough wellness and preventive care help our patients live the longest, happiest lives possible, and our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional care to pets and their people. Our well-trained support staff is fully leveraged so you can focus on medicine, not busywork, and you'll have plenty of resources available to you. Mentorship is there when you want it and flexible to how you like to work — if you'd prefer more structured support, we also offer optional virtual mentorship with weekly check-ins. We pride ourselves on a supportive, adaptable environment that's open to new ideas and built on strong client relationships.

North Florida also offers a laid-back, low-cost-of-living lifestyle with beautiful weather, nature preserves and state parks for year-round outdoor adventures, and easy access to both major cities and the Florida coast.

Position Overview

We're seeking a compassionate, self-motivated Veterinarian with a strong clinical background, excellent communication skills, and a genuine love for animals. This role is small-animal-only: diagnosing and treating patients, educating pet owners on health and wellness, and working alongside a dedicated support team. New graduates are welcome to apply, and experienced doctors ready to build lasting client relationships are equally encouraged to reach out.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough examinations of animals to diagnose health issues


• Perform surgeries and medical procedures, including routine soft tissue surgery


• Develop treatment plans and explain them clearly to pet owners


• Administer vaccinations and medications


• Provide preventive care and wellness education for clients


• Collaborate with veterinary technicians and support staff


• Maintain accurate medical records and documentation


• Stay current on veterinary medicine developments and best practices

Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited institution


• State licensure to practice veterinary medicine (or eligibility to obtain Florida licensure)


• New graduates welcome; comfort with routine soft tissue surgery a plus for more experienced candidates


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills


• Ability to work well in a collaborative, team-oriented environment


• Compassionate, patient-centered approach to animal care

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive Pro-Sal compensation model based on experience (no negative accrual)


• 401(k) matching


• Malpractice insurance


• Licenses and dues covered (AAHA, VIN, Plumb's, plus one of your choice)


• Medical insurance or stipend, plus dental and vision


• Relocation assistance


• Continuing education allowance and opportunities


• Access to mentorship resources, including optional virtual mentorship with weekly check-ins


• Uniform allowance


• Paid time off and holidays


• Flexible scheduling


• No on-call or after-hours shifts


• No Saturdays or Sundays


• Employee discounts on pet care and products

Caring Hands Animal Hospital is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

• DVM or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary school


• Florida veterinary license in good standing (or ability to obtain one)


• Ability to work independently and manage cases confidently


• Strong communication skills with both clients and team members


• Comfortable with or willing to continue developing routine soft tissue surgery skills


• Willingness to collaborate, ask questions, and continue learning


• Ability to maintain accurate and thorough medical records


• Positive attitude and team-oriented mindset


• Interest in practicing high-quality medicine while maintaining efficiency and good client relationships