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; 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) and we practice open book management, encouraging our team members to understand and play an active role in the business. 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

The 1st Pet Veterinary Centers Early Career Mentorship Program is a career development program with a market-leading compensation plan designed to accommodate your career 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 (including POCUS, RECOVER, vascular access, advanced life support, general & emergency surgery, and flexible endoscopy). 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. You will create educational presentations to demonstrate your understanding and mastery of key concepts. 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 Program will receive evaluations and feedback, with independent shifts commencing after a period of mentorship, when YOU are ready. Of course, all of our doctors have easy access to colleagues when questions arise. Once you attain independence, experienced emergency doctors and Board-Certified Specialists in Internal Medicine, Surgery and Critical Care are either on-site or a phone call away.

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, and a flexible endoscope system is shared by the hospitals. Vapotherm high flow oxygen systems are available at all 3 hospitals and a Pulmonetics LTV 1200 ventilator is also available.

The Early Career Mentorship Program is a full-time position, which can be flexibly structured into a variety of training lengths, based on your interests and desired pace of training. Although this 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 about $110-$120,000 based on anticipated progress from direct mentorship to more independence and core shift coverage. Emergency bonus is also available, depending on the balance of mentored versus independent work chosen by the candidate. We also offer a full array of benefits including health, vision, & dental plans, PTO, vacation, 401K, ESOP, Professional Liability, DEA license, AZ state medical license, disability, accidental life & death, dues, uniforms, monthly in-house chair massages, and access to financial planning. In addition, all continuing educational costs will be covered (estimated benefit of $5-20K, depending on the term of the program chosen).

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 (14 shifts per 28-day period). Additional time will be required for attending lectures, studying lessons and pertinent literature, creating educational content, and case/procedure preparation. Initially, you will have mentored case management under the guidance of an experienced attending veterinarian. In time, you will be permitted escalating direct case management responsibilities as you attain confidence and demonstrate competence.

Our goals with this program are to grow future employee-owners and leaders, as well as provide skills necessary to achieve a meaningful career in veterinary medicine. Employment is at-will, with conversion to permanent employment desirable at the end of the program, or sooner, if there is reciprocal interest. This is not an internship program, so there is no obligation to complete the program if 1st Pet Veterinary Centers is not the right place for you. Likewise, we have a stringent ethical code and are very protective of our culture and values. Successful candidates will possess emotional intelligence, leadership aspirations, and an avid interest in learning and supporting the business. 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 an enthusiastic work ethic.

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Mentorship in Veterinary Emergency Medicine