Associate Veterinarian Role at Petco in Hackensack, NJ

Associate Veterinarian at Petco: Elevate Pet Care in Hackensack, NJ

The Associate Veterinarian role at Petco in Hackensack, NJ is the most immersive position within a Vetco Total Care Full Service Veterinary Hospital. Petco has championed the pet-human bond for more than 60 years, backed by a network of over 250 Vetco Total Care hospitals and a team 29,000 strong. This full-time role empowers you to practice exceptional medicine with top-tier support, where your clinical expertise directly enhances the wellbeing of pets and their families.

What Your Day Looks Like

In this role, you will provide outstanding patient care by performing thorough physical examinations, diagnosing illnesses, and delivering preventive treatments tailored to each patient's signalment, lifestyle, and environment. Key responsibilities include:

• Developing problem-based diagnostic plans with complete differential lists for every patient examined
• Performing routine and complex surgical procedures, including spays, neuters, and mass removals
• Executing advanced dental work and administering anesthesia safely
• Documenting detailed medical records and leading hospital rounds
• Acting as a de facto leader who fosters exceptional teamwork and customer experiences

Qualifications and Compensation

To thrive here, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an AVMA-accredited institution, alongside active state licensure and a current DEA license. You must be comfortable administering anesthesia and performing routine surgeries. Petco values compassion, excellent communication, and a collaborative mindset. In return for your expertise, the company offers a competitive salary ranging from $95,600.00 to $203,000.00 , reflecting your experience and the local market.

Tailored Application Tips for Veterinary Retail Candidates

• Highlight Clinical Breadth: Retail-adjacent veterinary hospitals handle high, diverse case loads. Emphasize your surgical confidence and ability to manage both routine wellness and complex sick visits efficiently.
• Showcase Soft Skills: Working in a busy retail environment means interacting with diverse pet parents. Feature examples of empathetic client communication and your ability to de-escalate stressful situations.
• Mention Tech Proficiency: Petco relies heavily on digital infrastructure. Mentioning your familiarity with electronic medical record (EMR) systems and modern diagnostic imaging (like DDXR and ultrasound) will set you apart.
• Demonstrate Adaptability: Retail veterinary care requires seamless teamwork with paraprofessional staff. Share instances where you successfully mentored veterinary technicians or collaborated to elevate hospital standards.