Associate Veterinarian

Join us as an Associate Veterinarian at VCA Hawthorn Animal Hospital in Vernon Hills, IL 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.

Questions? Please email Laurel Norman at [email protected]

Students and new graduates are encouraged to apply and will receive dedicated mentorship.

Why Join the Team?

• Signing Bonus!

• Mentorship Program: New graduates and current students are welcome! Enjoy a 6-month individualized mentorship program with a collaborative hospital team environment.

• Well-Established, Well-Equipped Facility: Our hospital specializes in the care of dogs and cats, providing wellness exams, vaccinations, preventive care, digital x-rays, digital dental x-rays, dental services, and various surgical procedures.

• Advanced Diagnostic Support: We partner with a local internist who performs in-house ultrasounds and consultations, ensuring quick and reliable diagnostic support.

• Located just 37 miles from Chicago and near the Illinois/Wisconsin border.

• Enjoy charming nearby towns such as Libertyville, Long Grove, and Lincolnshire—home to a performing arts theatre.

• Only 20 minutes from Six Flags amusement park in Gurnee, offering endless activities and entertainment options in the area.

Schedule

• Open six days a week, with varying closing times:

  • Monday and Thursday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

  • Tuesday: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

  • Wednesday and Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

  • Saturday: 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

• Referrals to nearby emergency hospitals are available for after-hours care, ensuring a balanced work schedule.

Cases

• General Practice: Routine wellness exams, vaccinations, and preventative care.

• Dental and Surgical: Routine dental cleanings, dental x-rays, and various surgical procedures.

• Diagnostics: In-house digital x-ray, dental x-ray, and consultations with an internist for ultrasound and other advanced diagnostic needs.

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 annual salary range for this position is $100K - $150K. 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 (IL), 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]

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).

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