Associate Veterinarian

Relief-style variety across Chicago, with a schedule set three months out and the security of a salaried role behind it.

This group of 12 small-animal general practice hospitals across Chicago and its suburbs to find a Regional GP Veterinarian. The role is available full time or part time and suits a clinician who likes moving between practices but wants a steady income, benefits and a clear schedule.

Each hospital has its own local client base, team and way of running the day. What they share is access to a larger veterinary group’s education department, which runs doctor mentorship, RACE-accredited dental training and patient and team safety resources. You get the feel of a community practice wherever you work, with structured clinical support that most independent hospitals can’t offer.

The caseload is full general practice, covering wellness visits, sick appointments, urgent cases, soft-tissue surgery and dentistry. Because you’ll see how a dozen hospitals approach medicine, the role builds broad clinical judgement quickly. It also carries some teaching. Newer associates at several sites will look to you for a second opinion, and there is room to mentor them more formally if that interests you.

The schedule is what sets this role apart from relief work. Full-time doctors work a minimum of 12 ten-hour shifts every four weeks, and part-time doctors a minimum of four. Shifts are booked at least 90 days ahead through an online platform, so you choose your hospitals and plan your life well in advance. At the full-time minimum, the base shift rate works out to roughly $140,000 a year before bonuses. Mileage is reimbursed for travel within the region.

Production bonuses are paid quarterly and calculated separately for each hospital, so a quieter month at one site doesn’t reduce what you earn at another. Services, products and over-the-counter sales all count toward the bonus.

Key highlights

• 12 community-based small-animal hospitals across Chicago and its suburbs
• Full-time or part-time options, with a minimum of 12 or 4 shifts per four weeks
• Ten-hour shifts booked 90+ days in advance through an online platform
• $900+ shift rate, roughly $140,000 base at the full-time minimum
• Quarterly production bonus calculated per hospital
• Mileage reimbursement for regional travel
• Full general practice caseload including wellness, urgent care, surgery and dentistry
• Doctor mentorship program and RACE-accredited dental education
• Opportunity to mentor newer associates across multiple sites

About you

• DVM, VMD or equivalent degree
• Illinois veterinary licence in good standing before your start date
• Active DEA registration, or eligible to obtain one
• At least three years of general practice experience, or a completed internship plus at least one year in GP
• Confident with routine soft-tissue surgery and dentistry
• Adapts easily to different teams, workflows and hospital systems
• Keeps clear, accurate medical records and communicates well with clients and staff
• Willing to support and guide less experienced veterinarians

Benefits

• Shift rate starting at $900 plus quarterly production bonuses
• Mileage reimbursement
• Three weeks of PTO and dedicated CE days for full-time doctors
• Discretionary fund for full-time doctors
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Mental health support
• Paid parental leave and pet adoption leave
• Pet care discounts
• Mentorship programs, RACE-accredited dental education and professional development resources