VBMA | Associate Veterinarian — Learn the Business, Not Just the Medicine

You spent four years earning your degree. You may have spent time in VBMA learning what it actually takes to run a practice. Now you're looking at job postings that all sound identical — corporate-speak, vague benefits, and zero mention of what your day-to-day life will actually look like. This one is different. Here's why. At Community Animal Hospitals in St. Petersburg, you'll work directly alongside Dr. Leslie Block — a former practice owner with more than 30 years of veterinary experience who is on-site four days a week. Dr. Block doesn't just oversee cases. She talks through decisions, explains the reasoning behind them, and understands that a new graduate needs clinical confidence and career perspective in equal measure. You'll also have direct access to Dr. John Hodges, DVM — 45 years in veterinary practice, licensed building contractor, licensed real estate agent, and a veterinarian who has started multiple practices from the ground up. Dr. Hodges is available most days to talk through cases, career questions, and the business side of veterinary medicine that most employers will never show you. If you've ever thought about owning a practice someday — or even if you're just curious about how great private practices actually work — this is the place to start figuring that out. What your life looks like here: • Flexible schedule — 2, 3, or 4-day workweek, you choose what works • $130,000–$145,000 base salary + quarterly production bonus, no negative accrual • $5,250/year in tax-free student loan repayment assistance • CE reimbursement — negotiated to fit your goals • State license and DEA fees covered • Discounted pet care • Paid time off • Privately owned — no corporate protocols, no boardroom decisions, no bureaucracy What we're looking for: A new or recent graduate (within the last 12 months, or graduating within 6 months) who is curious about the business of veterinary medicine, not just the medicine itself. VBMA certificate holders are strongly preferred — not because it's a requirement, but because it tells us you're thinking about your career the right way. You don't need to have all the answers. You need to be the kind of person who asks good questions. About the practice: Community Animal Hospitals is a full-service, privately owned practice in St. Petersburg, FL. We see a broad and interesting caseload — general practice, soft tissue surgery, dentistry including surgical extractions, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, including ophthalmology and cardiology cases. Emergency cases are seen during normal business hours. Visiting orthopedic surgeons come in-house for orthopedic procedures. You will practice real medicine across a wide range of cases from day one — without being on call evenings or weekends. Modern facility. Experienced support staff. Real mentorship. Ready to talk? Hit Apply and you'll hear back within one business day. No recruiter, no screening algorithm — a real person who can answer real questions.