Community-Minded Associate Veterinarian Wanted For Private, Woman-Owned Clinic in Alexandria, VA

Are you a Fear Free conscious veterinarian who can deliver exceptional medical and surgical care?

Can you build long-term trusting relationships with clients to empower them to make the best decisions for their pets?

Can you contribute and help to grow a supportive and collaborative practice culture rooted in supporting our community and their pets?

If so, Harmony Animal Hospital invites you to read more below!

About Harmony Animal Hospital

At Harmony Animal Hospital, we exist to add more love to the world by nurturing pets and their families. As a private, woman-owned clinic, we are redefining veterinary medicine by creating an environment where everyone—our patients, clients, and team members—can thrive.

We are proud to be Northern Virginia's first Fear Free certified hospital, reflecting our commitment to compassionate, stress-free care. Our clients trust us to provide individualized attention and cutting-edge treatments, empowering them to make informed decisions about their pets' health. Advanced therapies such as laser, PRP, stem cell treatments, massage, acupuncture, and tPEMF therapy allow us to offer tailored care for every patient.

Our practice is built on the core values of Compassion, Communication, Community Involvement, Fun, Growth, Integrity, and Perseverance. These values are woven into everything we do. Compassion drives us to provide empathetic care for pets and their families. Communication ensures we actively listen and engage openly with clients and each other. Community Involvement inspires our outreach efforts and fosters connections beyond the clinic. Fun keeps our workplace vibrant and enjoyable. Growth motivates continuous learning and development, supported by mentoring, coaching, and diverse continuing education opportunities. Integrity guides our decisions, ensuring honesty and trustworthiness in every interaction. Perseverance reflects our ability to handle change with tenacity and persistence, pushing through challenges to improve continuously. It means "showing up" every day and being an active, reliable part of our team.

While we strive for excellence, we acknowledge that we don’t always get everything right. Growing rapidly from a team of 5 to 20 has challenged us to refine our communication and efficiency. We regularly reevaluate our SOPs, integrate new technologies, and remain open to suggestions, trusting our team to handle responsibilities with autonomy. This dedication to improvement ensures we are always evolving to meet the needs of our clients, patients, and team.

Who We’re Looking For

We are searching for a compassionate and skilled veterinarian who shares our commitment to Fear Free practice and exceptional veterinary care. You possess a deep empathy for animals and their owners, providing not only medical expertise but also emotional support.

Your ability to communicate clearly and empathetically is a cornerstone of your practice, enabling you to explain complex medical conditions and treatment plans in ways that are easy to understand, while actively listening to the concerns and questions of clients.

Collaboration comes naturally to you, and you thrive in a team-oriented environment where sharing knowledge, seeking assistance, and contributing to a supportive workplace culture are valued. Your adaptability allows you to handle sudden changes in patient needs and unexpected situations with calm and flexibility. Precision in diagnosing and treating animals, coupled with meticulous record-keeping, underscores your detail-oriented approach to veterinary medicine.

Under pressure, you remain patient and composed, making informed decisions and finding creative solutions to challenges. You are passionate about learning and committed to ongoing education and professional development, staying curious and open to feedback as you refine your skills in an ever-evolving field. Your ethical standards and integrity guide your work, ensuring honesty and transparency in every interaction with clients and colleagues.

You bring a positive outlook and a sense of humor to work, helping to foster an enjoyable and uplifting environment even during challenging times. If you are excited to build trust with clients, educate them about their pets' health, and deliver comprehensive medical, surgical, and dental care, we want to hear from you. With a DVM/VMD (or equivalent), DEA license, and a Fear Free certification (or willingness to complete it within 90 days of hire), you’ll bring valuable skills to our dedicated team. Experience in advanced surgical procedures, ultrasound, or therapies like PRP and laser treatment would be a welcomed addition, but your passion and collaborative spirit are what matter most.

Why You’ll Love This Job

We believe we offer an excellent workplace where you will be supported and encouraged to grow professionally. But don’t just take it from us, here is what our departing associate has to say about us:

“I’ve loved being a part of the Harmony team and have grown so much more confident since I’ve been here. Before I joined I felt I was going against the grain trying to practise fear free but they really make it work here and the 30 minute appointments mean we can do the best for animals and clients. We’re all constantly learning from each other, the team is a real community, and Casandra and Denise have been supportive and kind mentors. It’s all allowed me to have healthy boundaries between work and my family life that has meant I can give my all to both.

I’m definitely going to miss the people here and their enthusiasm. The senior leadership team has a real drive to be the best, while still caring for their people. You’re never left to fend for yourself here and I will miss the place!”

About The Role

As an Associate Veterinarian, your role will encompass a wide range of responsibilities aimed at delivering exceptional patient care, fostering client relationships, and contributing to a collaborative yet efficient team environment. Here is a detailed breakdown of your core responsibilities:

1. Provide Comprehensive Medical, Surgical, and Dental Care:

• Perform routine and complex surgeries with precision and care, ensuring patient safety and comfort at all times.
• Deliver thorough and compassionate dental care, including cleanings, extractions, and oral health assessments.
• Conduct diagnostic testing and implement pain management protocols tailored to individual patient needs.
• Utilize advanced techniques and therapies such as PRP, stem cell therapy, laser therapy, and tPEMF to enhance patient outcomes. (If you’re not sure about this now, don't panic, we can teach you!)
• Uphold Fear Free principles to minimize stress and anxiety for all patients, ensuring a positive experience during every visit.

2. Enhance Client Communication, Education, and Trust While Supporting Practice Goals:

• Build lasting relationships with pet owners through clear and empathetic communication about their pet’s health and treatment options.
• Provide detailed explanations of preventive care plans, diagnostic results, and recommended treatments.
• Empower clients to make informed decisions by offering tailored advice and addressing their concerns with sensitivity.
• Support the clinic’s financial goals by recommending appropriate services that align with both patient needs and operational objectives.

3. Support Team Collaboration and Development:

• Actively participate in team training sessions, helping to mentor new staff members, and sharing knowledge to promote skill development.
• Foster a positive and efficient workplace culture by encouraging open communication and constructive feedback.
• Collaborate with the team during monthly staff meetings and weekly doctor meetings to agree goals and address challenges constructively.
• Participate in social and volunteer events organized by Harmony to strengthen team bonds.

Additional Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Triage emergency cases and provide immediate, high-quality care when needed.
• Review lab results and communicate findings to clients in a timely and professional manner.
• Approve medication refills and ensure accurate documentation in medical records.
• Manage personal administrative tasks efficiently, including completing notes, insurance claims, and client communications.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of veterinary practices and integrate new techniques into patient care.
• Ensure compliance with legal and professional obligations, including maintaining current certifications and licenses.
• Engage in community outreach, practice events, and ongoing improvement initiatives to enhance the hospital's services and efficiency.

While we strive not to allow our work to creep into personal time, some days can, on occasion, be longer than others due to client needs. Additionally, occasional Saturday shifts (one in six) are required. We’re continuously working to improve efficiency and communication as our team grows.

What We Offer

• Salary: Competitive annual salary starting at $140,000.
• Benefits:
• Paid license fees and association dues (VA license, DEA, AVMA, USDA Accreditation, and more).
• Comprehensive health insurance and 401(k) with up to 4% employer match.
• Generous CE allowance and paid leave.
• Scrub allowance and pet care discounts.
• 14 days PTO plus 6 public holidays annually.
• Supportive technology, including virtual scribes for note-taking.

Next Steps

If this role aligns with your skills and aspirations, and the practice sounds like a place you’d be excited to work in, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your resume and a cover letter detailing why you’re the right person for Harmony Animal Hospital to . As we are looking for someone with good attention to detail, any applications that don’t follow these instructions will be automatically rejected.

We’re excited to meet you and explore how we can add more love to the world together!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Supplemental Pay:

• Bonus opportunities

Ability to Commute:

• Alexandria, VA (City of Alexandria) (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Alexandria, VA (City of Alexandria): Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $140,000