Associate Veterinarian

Vicar Operating, Inc. dba VCA; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid vacation/sick days

Pet discounts

Continuing Education allowance

Headspace wellness resources

Job summary

VCA Animal Hospital of Santa Cruz is seeking an Associate Veterinarian to join a supportive team delivering world-class medicine with modern facilities. The hospital offers in-house radiology, in-house chemistry panels, and extensive patient care resources in a convenient Santa Cruz location.

The role involves a mix of wellness and surgical cases (dentals, spays/neuters, mass removals) with a schedule Monday–Friday and weekend rotation as needed.

Qualifications

• DVM degree from an accredited university.
• CA licensure in good standing or ability to obtain.
• Commitment to high standard of medicine and ethics.

Responsibilities

• Dentals, neuters, spays, mass removals, and laceration repairs.
• Mix of wellness and illness cases with outpatient procedures.
• Collaborate with team for radiology, diagnostics, and client education.

Skills

Empathy

Teamwork

Communication

Education

DVM degree

Tools

Abaxis chemistry panels

IDEXX SNAP tests

Job description

Join us as an Associate Veterinarian at VCA Animal Hospital of Santa Cruz 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

• In-house radiology with the option to send images to a board-certified radiologist for review
• In-house Abaxis chemistry panels and IDEXX SNAP tests
• Microscope and centrifuge available for preparing and examining samples
• Hands‑free radiology

Conveniently located near downtown Santa Cruz, with access to local restaurants and a vibrant arts, music, and cultural scene.

Schedule

Full‑Time and Part‑Time available

Mon–Fri: 8:00 am–6:00 pm, Sat: 8:00 am–4:00 pm, Sun: Closed

Cases

Primarily canine and feline, with other species seen depending on doctor availability and preference

Mix of wellness and sick cases, with common procedures including dentals, neuters, spays, mass removals, and laceration repairs. Mostly outpatient procedures.

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

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $66,560 - $180K. Salary is negotiable based on experience, skills, knowledge, abilities and other relevant credentials. Salary range listed is based on a 40 hour work week. This position may also be eligible for other variable pay programs.

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!

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 companymatch
• 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 CA, 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. Learn more about the hospital [Link to hospital website]

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled.

For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.

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).