Associate Full-time, Small Animal Veterinarian

At a glance

• Base salary: $100,000–$110,000 (dependent on experience)
• Bonus: Quarterly production bonus
• Additional earning opportunity: Optional emergency cases, compensated on a case-by‑case basis
• Schedule: Full‑time, 30–40 hours per week (weekly hours must fall within this range)
• Status: Full‑Time Employee (FTE)
• Medicine: AAHA accredited, Certified Feline Friendly, low‑stress practice
• Facility: New 4,200 sq ft hospital with advanced diagnostics and surgery
• Benefits: Health insurance contribution, malpractice coverage, CE stipend, PTO, dues paid, employee discounts, 401k contribution

Pet Wellness Center of Southern Illinois is a well‑established, multi‑doctor practice that has served the South Central Illinois region since 1988. We practice high‑quality, state‑of‑the‑art veterinary medicine in a collaborative, low‑stress environment. Our culture emphasizes mentorship, professional growth, and strong client relationships through daily case discussions, doctor rounds, and consistent access to specialists, including a local board‑certified surgeon.

Why this role

This role is ideal for a veterinarian who values high‑quality medicine, collaborative case discussion, strong technician support, and the flexibility to increase earnings through production and optional emergency work, while maintaining a balanced 30–40 hour full‑time schedule in a supportive, community‑oriented practice.

What you’ll do

• Provide comprehensive preventive and sick‑patient care
• Perform routine and advanced surgical procedures (surgical proficiency required)
• Communicate clearly with clients regarding diagnostics and treatment options
• Maintain accurate, high‑quality medical records in a paper‑light, digital system
• Collaborate closely with technicians and assistants to deliver efficient, compassionate care
• Participate in daily case rounds and clinical discussions

Compensation & earning opportunities

Base salary: $100,000–$110,000 (dependent on experience)

Quarterly production bonus:

• Associate will receive bonus when production exceeds quarterly quota

Optional emergency care:

• Periodic emergency cases arise from client needs
• Veterinarians may choose to accept these cases
• Participation provides the opportunity to increase total compensation beyond base salary and standard production

Schedule & employment status

• Full‑time position
• Expected workload of 30–40 hours per week
• Some early evening hours required
• Weekly hours must remain within the defined range

Benefits & professional support

• Employer‑paid portion of ACA health insurance for FTEs
• Group malpractice insurance for all practice veterinarians
• 40+ hours of paid vacation annually (additional PTO may be available)
• Continuing Education stipend for FTE veterinarians
• Professional dues and subscriptions covered for select associations
• Employee discounts on personal pets, services, and products
• 401(k) contribution
• Liability coverage included

Facility & clinical resources

• New 4,200 sq ft hospital
• Digital radiology and dental radiology
• Ultrasound, endoscopy, laser therapy
• Fully equipped surgery suite and on‑site pharmacy
• IDEXX in‑house lab machines and fully integrated IDEXX software
• Strong technician and assistant support
• Access to internal and external specialists

After‑hours & emergency care

• Emergency needs arise periodically from existing clients
• Emergency cases are handled with a Doctor and Technician working together
• 24‑hour critical care support is available and managed by a certified Technician
• Participation in emergency cases is optional for veterinarians and offers additional earning potential

Location: Effingham, Illinois

Effingham is a growing micropolitan community located at the crossroads of I‑70 and I‑57, offering excellent public and private schools, year‑round festivals, a performing arts center, Lake Sara, and a high quality of life. The city is very pet‑friendly and has some excellent restaurants, including locally owned favorites and regional standouts.

Effingham provides convenient access to larger cities for travel and weekend trips:

• St. Louis, MO: ~90 minutes
• Champaign‑Urbana, IL: ~1.3 hours
• Indianapolis, IN: ~2.25 hours
• Chicago, IL: ~3.25 hours

For outdoor enthusiasts, Shawnee National Forest is located approximately two hours south, offering hiking, climbing, and scenic recreation.

Requirements

• DVM/VMD from an accredited veterinary program
• Licensed veterinarian (or eligible for licensure)
• New graduates are encouraged to apply
• Strong surgical, communication, and record‑keeping skills
• Comfortable working in a paper‑light, computer‑based environment