As of 2022, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) tells us there are 124,069 veterinarians in the US. Out of these, about 63% work in clinics, caring for pets and animals, which means around 75,349 veterinarians are in private practice.
However, Hiring the right veterinarian is crucial. They must have the knowledge, fit well with your team, care for animals excellently, and aid in business growth. But, how should you hire veterinarian?
To hire a veterinarian, start by identifying your needs, whether for a specialist or general care. Look for candidates with relevant qualifications (DVM/VMD), a valid license, and good reviews. Then, interview candidates for fit and skills, discuss job terms and consider a trial period.
Our guide simplifies the process of hiring a veterinarian, from crafting an effective job description to interviewing candidates. It’s essential for both first-time hires and teams looking to expand.
Also, keep reading to learn how Heartbeat can help you recruit a veterinarian who is both highly skilled and a perfect fit for your practice.
What’s on this page:
Why Hire Veterinarians?
Hiring a veterinarian for animal care brings numerous benefits to a veterinary practice or pet care business. Here are some key advantages:
Expert Care for Animals
Veterinary professionals are skilled in identifying and treating various animal health issues. Their expertise helps keep pets and farm animals healthy.
Diverse Services
A veterinarian can provide a wide array of services, including regular health assessments, immunizations, urgent medical attention, and advanced therapies. This variety can draw in a wider range of customers.
Educational Resource
Veterinarians can educate pet owners on proper nutrition, care, and preventive measures. This contributes to the overall health and happiness of their pets.
Business Growth
By providing exceptional care and a wide range of services, a veterinarian can help your business grow through positive word-of-mouth. This also enhances the ability to serve more clients effectively.
Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring a Veterinarian
Finding the right veterinarian for your team is vital for maintaining the quality of care in your veterinary practice. Here is a step-by-step veterinarian recruitment process:
Step 1: Determine Your Staffing Requirements
Assess your clinic’s current operations to pinpoint exactly what type of veterinarian you need. Consider whether your practice requires a generalist, a specialist, or additional support in a particular area of veterinary medicine.
Step 2: Develop the Perfect Candidate Profile
Outline the essential qualifications, skills, and character traits your ideal candidate should possess. This profile will help streamline your search and evaluation process by setting clear criteria for what you’re looking for.
Step 3: Create a Budget Plan
Calculate the budget for a new employee, factoring in wages, perks, and required training expenses. This will help narrow down your search to candidates who fit within your financial parameters.
Step 4: Write a Veterinarian Job Description
Develop a comprehensive job listing that outlines the duties, necessary qualifications, and desirable skills or experiences. A clear and thorough job description is essential for drawing in suitable applicants.
Step 5: Publish Your Job Opening
Advertise the position on relevant job boards, social media platforms, and professional veterinary networks. Utilizing a broad range of channels will increase your chances of finding the right candidate.
Step 6: Interview Candidates
Organize a thorough interview process that evaluates both the technical competencies and interpersonal skills of your candidates. It’s often beneficial to include team members in this process to assess team fit.
Step 7: Send a Job Offer and Onboard Your New Veterinarian
After selecting the ideal candidate, present a job offer that outlines employment terms. Upon acceptance, initiate a structured onboarding process to seamlessly integrate the new veterinarian into your team, ensuring a smooth transition for everyone involved.
To enhance your understanding, review our guide on how to hire a doctor.
Where to Find a Veterinarian for Hire?
When you’re hiring a veterinarian online or in person, consider the following strategies:
- Veterinary Schools and Universities: Reach out for potential job placement services or to post job listings for graduates.
- Professional Associations: Use job boards such as the (AVMA) in the United States to post vacancies.
- Online Job Boards and Websites: Explore both general and veterinary-specific job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, Veterinary Career Network, and iHireVeterinary.
- Social Media and Online Forums: Engage with veterinary professionals on platforms like LinkedIn and relevant forums.
- Recruitment Agencies: Partner with agencies that specialize in the veterinary field to find qualified candidates.
- Local Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals: Network with other clinics for potential hires through professional connections.
- Conferences and Seminars: Attend industry events for networking opportunities with interested professionals.
- Veterinarian Contact List: Different platforms like Heartbeat offer the latest and most accurate veterinarian contact info for easy connection with professionals.
Find the Contact List of the Best Veterinarian
Find the best veterinarians quickly using Heartbeat AI. Its comprehensive database and smart features simplify your search process. Learn how it can support your needs.
Extensive database
Heartbeat AI has a comprehensive database of healthcare professionals nationwide, encompassing a diverse selection of veterinarians. This vast array of candidates simplifies the process of finding the ideal match for any specific requirement.
Targeted Searches
The Prospector Tool from Heartbeat AI enhances your search by offering filters for location, specialization, and experience. This results in a customized list of veterinarian contacts that meet your specific criteria, making your search process more efficient.
Quick Access
The Chrome Extension from Heartbeat AI provides instant access to veterinarians’ contact details while you browse online registries or healthcare websites. With just a single click, essential information is delivered directly to your browser.
Completing Lists
Heartbeat AI’s upload function automatically completes missing emails and phone numbers for veterinary candidates. It removes the need for manual input, simplifying the process of keeping your candidate list updated.
Skills to Look For in a Good Veterinarian
Here are essential skills to look for in a competent veterinarian:
Communication
A good veterinarian must clearly communicate a pet’s health status and the implications of a diagnosis. They need strong interpersonal skills to clearly explain care instructions to pet owners. This includes guidance on vaccination schedules, feeding routines, and medication administration.
Analytical Skills
Veterinarians rely on their analytical abilities to assess animals and diagnose the root causes of illnesses. They systematically collect and analyze information to comprehend an animal’s health status and identify the best treatment approach.
Compassion
Compassion is crucial for veterinarians as they care for animals in need. This quality motivates them to treat their patients effectively. It also reassures pet owners who entrust their animals to the vet’s care.
Manual Dexterity
Precision in hand movements is vital for veterinarians, especially when treating injuries and performing surgeries. Good manual dexterity ensures procedures are carried out safely and effectively.
Time Management
Effective time management is crucial for veterinarians to complete tasks efficiently. This ensures that each animal receives prompt and thorough care.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Veterinarian
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the cost to hire a veterinarian:
- Average Cost of Hiring a Veterinarian: The average cost of hiring a veterinarian is $4,700, influenced by various factors. These include the use of job boards, participation in job fairs, and the costs associated with hiring social media professionals.
- Hourly Rates: According to Zippia, the hourly rate for a veterinarian ranges from $27 to $98. For a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, the hourly rate ranges from $31 to $133. For a Public Health Veterinarian, the hourly rate ranges from $13 to $65.
- Routine Veterinarian Visits Costs: Routine veterinarian visits typically range from $25 to $186.2. A regular annual well visit for a dog or cat with vaccines may cost around $150 to $200, with additional blood work adding $125 to $150.
Veterinarian Interview Tips
When hiring a veterinarian, consider these key points:
- Evaluate Clinical Skills: Use case-based questions to assess their technical knowledge and approach to diagnosis and treatment.
- Assess Interpersonal Abilities: Focus on communication skills and teamwork, which are crucial for effective interactions with pet owners and colleagues.
- Inquire About Motivations: Understanding their reasons for applying and career goals helps gauge long-term fit.
- Conduct Reference Checks: Get insights into their work ethic and behavior from previous employers or colleagues.
- Offer a Shadowing Opportunity: Observing their practical skills and how they interact with your team can be very telling.
- Ensure Legal and Ethical Compliance: The interview process should adhere to employment laws and ethical standards.
- Balance Skills and Fit: Finding a candidate with the right mix of technical proficiency and personal fit is essential for a successful addition to your practice.
Conclusion
In summary, our guide for you to hire veterinarians has provided valuable insights into the recruitment process.
We’ve explored essential steps, from identifying your requirements and envisioning the ideal candidate to attracting top-tier veterinarians. This is paramount for enhancing healthcare services and ensuring that veterinarians align with current societal needs.
In the future, this information will play a key role in making healthcare plans better and helping veterinarians adapt to what the community needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to attract a veterinarian?
Utilize social media for veterinarian recruitment. Social recruiting showcases your company culture, benefits, and career opportunities to attract potential hires.
Who hires a veterinarian for a veterinary clinic?
Veterinary clinic owners or practice managers are responsible for hiring veterinarians. They handle the hiring to make sure the clinic has all the vets it needs.
Can veterinarians treat humans?
No, veterinarians are not licensed to treat humans; they specialize in animal healthcare.
