Associate Veterinarian

Palmer Veterinary Clinic; Palmer (AK); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 3–4 weeks

Health insurance stipend

Annual CE stipend

Professional dues paid

Relocation/signing bonus

401(k) with 3% match after six months

Scrubs provided

No on-call

Job summary

Palmer Veterinary Clinic in Palmer, Alaska seeks an Associate Veterinarian for full-time or part-time engagement. The position offers a guaranteed base salary of $140,000–$180,000 with a 20% year-end production bonus on production above an annual goal, and no on-call responsibilities.

The practice emphasizes mentorship for new graduates, a 40–45 hour work week, and a well-equipped hospital with support staff to provide high-quality medicine and compassionate care.

Qualifications

• Experience in small-animal veterinary medicine is preferred.
• Surgical experience is desirable.
• Mentorship available for new graduates.
• Licensed veterinarian or eligibility to obtain licensure in Alaska.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality medical care for small animals.
• Collaborate with support staff to manage cases.
• Communicate treatment options, prognosis, and costs clearly to clients.
• Deliver patient care using progressive veterinary standards.

Skills

Compassionate

Strong work ethic

Communication

Teamwork

Progressive medicine

Job description

Associate Veterinarian – Full-Time or Part-Time
Palmer Veterinary Clinic | Palmer, Alaska
$140,000–$180,000 Base Salary + Production Bonus | No On-Call | New Grads Welcome

Where Modern Medicine Meets Compassionate Care
Palmer Veterinary Clinic is seeking a full-time or part-time Associate Veterinarian to join our established small-animal practice in beautiful Palmer, Alaska.

We are an independently veterinarian-owned, progressive practice committed to providing high-quality medicine while maintaining the compassion and communication that are essential to veterinary care. We welcome experienced veterinarians as well as new graduates, with individualized mentorship available based on each doctor's needs and professional goals.

Why Consider Palmer Veterinary Clinic?

• $140,000–$180,000 guaranteed base salary DOE for full-time associates
• 20% year-end production bonus on production above an agreed-upon annual goal
• No on-call
• 30-minute standard appointments
• 1½-hour lunch break
• 3–4 weeks PTO
• Full-time schedule of approximately 40–45 hours/week
• Individualized mentorship for new graduates
• Experienced technical and support staff
• Well-equipped, progressive hospital
• Relocation/signing bonus
• 401(k) with 3% employer match after six months

How We Practice

Our motto, “Where Modern Medicine Meets Compassionate Care,” reflects our approach to both medicine and client relationships.

We practice progressive medicine and believe veterinary medicine should continue to evolve. Our doctors are encouraged to discuss new protocols, diagnostics, treatments, and approaches to patient care. We value collaboration and are always willing to consider changing how we do something when there is a better way.

We also believe excellent medicine starts with listening.

We want our clients to feel heard and understand what is happening with their pet. Our doctors provide clear and transparent communication regarding diagnostic and treatment recommendations, options, prognosis, and cost.

Whenever appropriate, we offer options ranging from an ideal diagnostic and treatment plan to reasonable alternatives that may better fit an individual client's circumstances. Our goal is to help pets receive appropriate care while giving their owners the information they need to make informed decisions without judgment.

Your Schedule & Support

Our appointment and surgery hours are 8:00 AM–6:00 PM, and there are no on-call responsibilities.

Full-time veterinarians typically work approximately 40–45 hours per week, with approximately 8½ hours per shift scheduled for appointments or surgery.

Our standard appointment length is 30 minutes, allowing doctors time to thoroughly evaluate their patients and communicate with clients without building the day around rushed appointments. A typical workday also includes a 1½-hour lunch break.

Our current team includes three full-time veterinarians, including the practice owner, three licensed veterinary technicians, three additional veterinary technicians, and additional support staff.

We believe doctors should have the technical support necessary to focus on practicing medicine, managing cases, performing procedures, and communicating with clients.

Hospital & Clinical Capabilities

Our hospital is equipped to provide a broad range of diagnostic, surgical, dental, and hospitalized patient care.

Diagnostics

• Digital radiography and digital dental radiography
• Ultrasound
• IDEXX in-house laboratory equipment
• Zoetis digital cytology
• In-house urine culture capability

Surgery, Dentistry & Anesthesia

• Dedicated surgical and dental suites
• Electrocautery and CO surgical laser
• Cardell and PetMAP multiparameter monitoring equipment
• Multiple Heska and Proactive fluid pumps
• Individualized anesthetic protocols
• Dedicated technician anesthetic monitoring
• Anesthetic and surgical practices guided by current veterinary standards and recommendations
• Proactive, individualized pain-management protocols

Patient Care

• Cold laser therapy
• Dedicated large-dog and small-dog ICU areas
• Two oxygen cages
• Dedicated feline kennels
• Dedicated isolation ward

Experienced Veterinarian or New Graduate

Experienced veterinarians: We welcome doctors with a variety of clinical interests and strengths. Surgical experience is particularly desirable. We value the knowledge and perspective an experienced veterinarian brings and encourage our associates to contribute ideas that help our practice continue to evolve.

New graduates: We don't believe mentorship should be one-size-fits-all. We provide individualized mentorship based on your experience, confidence level, interests, and professional goals.

Our experienced doctors can provide support with medicine, surgery, dentistry, anesthesia, diagnostics, case management, and client communication. Mentorship evolves as your skills and confidence develop.

Our goal is to help you become the veterinarian you want to be—not simply to get you practicing independently as quickly as possible.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for a compassionate, motivated veterinarian with a strong work ethic who values progressive medicine, communication, and teamwork.

Our ideal associate communicates clearly, listens to clients, is comfortable discussing treatment options and costs transparently, collaborates well with doctors and support staff, and wants to continue learning throughout their career.

Clinical ability matters. The ability to communicate, collaborate, and connect with people matters just as much to us.

Compensation & Benefits

Full-time associates receive a guaranteed base salary of $140,000–$180,000, depending on experience, plus a 20% year-end production bonus on production above an agreed-upon annual goal.

Full-time benefits include:

• 3–4 weeks PTO
• Health insurance stipend
• Annual CE stipend
• Veterinary licenses and professional dues paid
• Relocation/signing bonus
• 401(k) with 3% employer match after six months
• Scrubs and jackets provided
• No on-call

Part-time compensation and benefits can be structured according to schedule and experience.

Life in Palmer, Alaska

Palmer is located in Alaska's beautiful Matanuska-Susitna Valley and offers exceptional access to hiking, fishing, skiing, hunting, camping, biking, boating, and countless opportunities to explore Alaska, while remaining within convenient reach of Anchorage.

For candidates considering relocating from the Lower 48, we understand that moving to Alaska is a significant decision. We offer a relocation/signing bonus and are happy to talk candidly about what it's like to live and practice here.

When your workday is finished, you're off—there is no on-call.

If you're an experienced veterinarian looking for your next professional home or a new graduate looking for a practice that will invest in your development, we'd like to hear from you.

Palmer Veterinary Clinic
Palmer, Alaska
Where Modern Medicine Meets Compassionate Care