Emergency Veterinarian and Emergency Mentorship

1st Pet Veterinary Centers   Mesa, AZ   Full-time     Veterinary
Posted on April 2, 2024
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1st Pet Veterinary Centers has three well-established locations in the metro-Phoenix area in which we offer Primary & Wellness Care; Emergency, Critical Care & Urgent Care; Soft tissue & Orthopedic Surgery; Internal Medicine; Chemotherapy; Rehabilitation and Radiology services. We have collaborative relationships with local Cardiologists, Oncologists, Neurologists, Dermatologists and other specialists in the valley, in order to offer whatever expert care our patients require.

Although many practices provide these services, what makes us unique is that we are 100% employee-owned (a first in the industry). We practice open book management, encouraging our team members to understand and play an active role in the business, which helps to empower them financially.

It is vital to our culture that team members not only thrive in their position but continue to learn and grow. Although many in our industry are passionate about pets and their people, our employee owners' dedication is reflected in our many certifications, awards, and industry leading practices:

  • AAHA & AAHA Referral Practice Accreditation
  • Fear Free Certified Practice
  • Gold Certified Cat-Friendly Practice
  • 2016 Veterinary Economics Hospital of the Year
  • Great Game of Business "Rookie of the Year" and "All Star" Champions
  • RECOVER Rescuer Certification (all required training offered in-house)
  • Full time Veterinary Social Work Program, dedicated to our team's overall health & wellness, advocacy, and client support
  • Professional Development - dedicated technical training, financial literacy education, leadership coaching, and career path mentoring.

We have positions open for both experienced Emergency Doctors AND newer graduates who desire a more structured Mentored environment. Both positions are full time. Experienced emergency doctors are assigned an average of 10-12 shifts/28 days (120 - 144 hours total, or an average of 30-36 hours per week). Our greatest need at the moment is for overnight doctors. Emergency doctors work on an overlapping basis (day --> midshift --> overnight) and have quick access to other doctors, managers, and administrators at our sister hospitals thru Vocera. We currently have one opening for an experienced emergency doctor. Compensation for experienced Emergency Doctors is competitive, depending on experience, skill set, and the working schedule, but ranges from $200-360K salary, with bonuses when production goals are exceeded.

The 1st Pet Veterinary Centers Emergency Mentorship Program is a career development program designed to accommodate your goals in Emergency Practice. Formal medical mentoring includes case rounds with experienced emergency doctors and specialists, literature or M&M review with our in-house specialists, didactic lectures & coursework, and hands-on labs and surgery mentorship. Informal mentoring with our Veterinary Social Work manager will cover effective interpersonal communication strategies for working with clients and team members. Psycho-social rounds and well-being support is also available (for both Mentorship and Experienced ER doctors). In clinics, you will work alongside specialists and veterinarians who have completed a rotating internship and/or have at least 5 years of experience. Doctors participating in the Mentorship program will receive regular evaluations and feedback, with independent shifts commencing after an initial 12 week period of intensive mentorship. Of course, ALL of our doctors have easy access to colleagues when questions arise - experienced emergency doctors and Board-Certified Specialists in Internal Medicine, Surgery and Critical Care are either on-site or a phone call away.

Although the Mentorship program is intended to be an intensive learning opportunity, 1st Pet also emphasizes a sustainable, enjoyable, flexible working environment where work/life integration is possible. The first-year salary is $120,000, based on anticipated progress from direct mentorship working one on one with another experienced Emergency Doctor to more independence and core shift coverage. Additional income is available for doctors who pick up emergency shifts in addition to assigned shifts, and production bonuses are also available after the initial 4-6 months of training. Your schedule will include an equitable mix of traditional hours (weekdays) and non-traditional hours (nights, weekends, holidays). Each shift is about 12 hours, and you can expect to be scheduled on-service 36-42 hours per week (around 14 shifts per 28-day period). Additional time will be required for attending lectures, studying lessons and pertinent literature, and creating educational content. We have one opening for our summer Mentorship Program, starting at the end of June, and one opening for our fall Mentorship Program, starting at the end of August.

For both experienced emergency doctors and ER Mentorship doctors, approximately 2 - 5 hours per month can be expected to support 1st Pet critical missions. Activities may include meetings, emails, workshops, CE, Huddles, staff doctor training, leadership roles, and/or committee work.

Both positions offer a full array of benefits including health, vision, & dental plans, PSL, vacation, 401K, ESOP (yearly allocation of shares of ownership in the business - no 'buy in' required!), Professional Liability insurance, worker's comp insurance, DEA license, AZ state medical license, disability, accidental life & death, dues, uniforms, monthly in-house chair massages, reimbursement of continuing educational costs, and access to financial education and planning.

Our hospitals are beautiful, functional, and have all the tools you need to practice exceptional medicine. All doctors have access to STAT and comprehensive in-house laboratories, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and digital radiology studies interpreted by Radiologists. An 8-slice CT scanner is available at the NV location, a 64-slice CT scanner is available for use at the Chandler and Mesa locations. Flexible endoscopy and Vapotherm high flow oxygen systems are available, as well as a Pulmonetics LTV 1200 ventilator.

Our goal is to hire highly motivated doctors who are interested in growing into successful long-term employee-owners and leaders. For the Mentorship Program, we want to provide training of skills necessary to achieve a meaningful career in veterinary medicine. Successful candidates will possess initiative, enthusiastic work ethic, emotional intelligence, leadership aspirations, and an avid interest in learning and supporting the business. For Mentorship candidates, you do not have to graduate at the top of your class - we can help hone your knowledge base and clinical talent - as long as you are willing to provide dedication to and accountability for your professional development.

Please contact Dr. Reniker, Dipl, ACVECC, for more information about either position. To apply, please email a resume and 3-4 professional references.


Although experience is an added bonus, we want doctors who have a passion for practicing the highest caliber medicine, play well with others, and understand the value of client communication and service.

We have openings for emergency doctors, and other board certified specialists in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Oncology, Neurology, and Dermatology.