Cara Veterinary·Seattle, Washington
The Associate Veterinarian will perform wellness and sick patient examinations, diagnose medical conditions, and conduct soft tissue surgeries and dentistry. They are also responsible for developing individualized treatment plans and maintaining high-quality medical records.
Description Join a Team That Puts Pets, People, and Purpose First
At Cara Veterinary, we believe exceptional medicine starts with exceptional people. As an Associate Veterinarian, you'll practice high-quality medicine alongside a collaborative team that values mentorship, trust, and genuine relationships with clients and each other. Whether you're an experienced doctor or a recent graduate looking for mentorship, you'll have the support, technology, and autonomy to grow your career while making a meaningful impact every day.
When you join Cara Veterinary, you're joining a team committed to supporting your success both professionally and personally.
You'll enjoy: Competitive base salary + commission $125,000 - $160,000 yearly base Sign-on bonus eligible Relocation expense reimbursement eligible Medical, vision & dental insurance Flexible schedule with no on-call PTO & Floater days, including a for Personal Celebration Day Paid family & medical leave (WA state offers up to 12 weeks of paid leave to eligible employees) 401K with employer match License and professional organization dues (AVMA, State Medical Assoc, AAHA, VMB) Liability insurance Paid CE time Employee pet discount Uniform allowance Career growth opportunities Great culture w/ a supportive team Collaborative, team-centered culture Mentorship and professional growth opportunities Modern medicine with high standards of patient care Continuing education support Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community A workplace where your voice, ideas, and career goals matter What Makes You Successful?
Compassionate communicators Passionate about delivering outstanding patient care Collaborative team players Adaptable and eager to learn Committed to practicing high-quality medicine Excited to contribute to a positive hospital culture Excellent communication skills Positive attitude An interest or specialty you can bring to the practice or would like to pursue A desire to build long-term relationships with pet parents & the community Our Location Lower Queen Anne puts you right in the center of Seattle’s culture and energy.
Steps from the Space Needle, theaters, museums, and iconic city landmarks, it’s a vibrant, walkable neighborhood with endless things to explore.
It’s ideal for candidates who love urban living with quick access to the outdoors.
Ready to Apply? We’d love to see a cover letter highlighting why you think you’d be a good fit for our practice as well as a fully updated resume. _______________________ CARA VETERINARY CORE VALUE PILLARS Put pets first: Our first priority is always with the health, happiness, and comfort of our patients. We have designed the Cara experience with the animal perspective in mind. And our care advice is based only on what is best for the pet.
We believe that caring for an animal is a partnership built on mutual trust and humility. We trust parents to make the right decisions for themselves and their pets and invite them to actively participate in care alongside us.
Caring for a pet involves the full spectrum of emotions, from joy to grief. We must lean into openness, empathy, and compassionate listening. We know when to be fun, and when to be serious. At all times, we foster supportive, positive, and authentically human hospital culture.
Although our business is growing, we retain the attitude and spirit of a neighborhood vet. We welcome people in. We get to know our clients' families and are proud to play an active role in our local communities.
We are always looking for a better way. In an industry that hasn't seen a lot of innovation, we are experimenting with new ways of delivering care, delighting customers, providing unexpectedly human (and animal) touches, and infusing out hospitals with fresh ideas.
As an Associate Veterinarian, you'll provide compassionate, high-quality care while building lasting relationships with pets, their families, and your teammates. Your responsibilities will include:
Patient Care Perform wellness and sick patient examinations Diagnose and treat medical conditions Perform soft tissue surgery and dentistry appropriate to your experience Develop individualized treatment plans focused on the best patient outcomes Recommend referrals when specialty care is in the patient's best interest Provide compassionate end-of-life care when needed Stay current with advances in veterinary medicine through continuing education Client Experience You'll help create an exceptional client experience through education, transparency, and trust by: Clearly explaining exam findings and treatment options Developing personalized preventive care recommendations Presenting treatment plans and estimates Keeping clients informed throughout their pet's care Following up to ensure successful recovery and ongoing care
We're looking for candidates who have: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree (or equivalent) from an accredited veterinary school Active (or ability to obtain) state veterinary license before employment Commitment to practicing high-quality, evidence-based medicine Excellent communication and teamwork skills Physical Requirements This position requires the ability to: Lift and assist with patients weighing up to 50 pounds (or more with assistance) Stand and move throughout the hospital for extended periods Safely handle and restrain companion animals Work around anesthesia, radiology, laboratory equipment, and controlled substances while following established safety protocols
Market context
In Washington, associate veterinarian roles are commonly competitive because clinics look for DVM-prepared candidates who can maintain state licensure and uphold high standards of medicine and ethics. Benefits such as health, dental, vision, paid parental leave, and sick leave can make offers more attractive, and the salary range reflects a broad market for experienced and early-career veterinarians. Review the licensure path early and compare the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here with the original posting to save research time before applying.