Lead Veterinarian - Desert Hills Animal Clinic

VeterinarianIncludes callFull-Time

Listed compensation

from $150,000

Listing transparency3 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage and nights and shift pattern.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Includes call
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Lead with Purpose. Practice Great Medicine. Make a Lasting Impact.

Desert Hills Animal Clinic [https://dhanimalclinic.com/] is seeking a Lead
Veterinarian to join our well-established practice in Phoenix, Arizona. This is
an exciting opportunity for a veterinarian who enjoys mentorship, leadership,
and helping shape the future of a successful hospital while continuing to
practice high-quality medicine.

About Us

Desert Hills Animal Clinic is a full-service animal hospital with an experienced
three-doctor team and an enthusiastic support staff. We have been operating out
of our newly built 7th Ave and Carefree Hwy location since 2024; providing
comprehensive veterinary care for dogs & cats, including preventative care,
dentistry, & surgical procedures. Our culture is collaborative, supportive, and
genuinely fun. We are committed to a well-trained team, patient care, strong
client relationships, and individualized treatment plans that prioritize the
well-being of every dog and cat we see.

What We Offer

* Leadership Opportunity: Play a key role in guiding hospital culture,
mentoring team members, and helping drive the continued success of an
established practice.
* Competitive Compensation: Base salary ranging from $150,000–$170,000 plus
production with no negative accrual and a generous sign-on bonus.
* Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, HSA contribution, life and
disability insurance, 401(k) with employer match, PTO, CE allowance, paid
licensing and dues, and more.
* Clinical Autonomy with Network Support: Enjoy the freedom to practice
medicine your way while benefiting from Lakefield's resources and operational
support.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a veterinarian who enjoys leadership, collaboration, and
mentorship. A strong interest in surgery is highly preferred, as the hospital
offers a diverse surgical caseload and opportunities to continue expanding
surgical services.
Whether you're currently in a leadership role or ready to take the next step in
your career, we'd love to connect.
Life in Phoenix, Arizona
Enjoy year-round sunshine, incredible hiking, golf, professional sports, amazing
restaurants, and easy access to destinations like Sedona and the Grand Canyon.
Phoenix offers an exceptional balance of career opportunity and lifestyle.

About Lakefield Veterinary Group

Desert Hills Animal Clinic is part of Lakefield Veterinary Group, a family-owned
organization that supports hospital autonomy while providing the resources of a
larger network. Lakefield prioritizes work-life balance, professional growth,
and strong hospital cultures, all while providing WOW service to our clients and
patients.

Ready to Learn More?

If you're looking for an opportunity to lead a great team, practice exceptional
medicine, and make a meaningful impact, we'd love to connect.

To learn more about the hospital and position please contact Nikki Hanschu
at nikki.hanschu@lakefieldvet.com [nikki.hanschu@lakefieldvet.com] or apply
at careers.lakefieldvet.com [https://careers.lakefieldvet.com/jobs/].

#LI-NH1

Key Responsibilities

Lead the hospital culture and mentor team members while practicing high-quality veterinary medicine. Drive the continued success of the established practice through clinical leadership and operational guidance.

Requirements

Seeking a veterinarian with a passion for leadership, collaboration, and mentorship. A strong interest or proficiency in surgery is highly preferred.

Qualifications

Experience
5+ years of experience

Key Skills

Orthopedic ProceduresEmergency SurgeryInternal MedicineClient Relationship Management

Veterinary Medicine Career Context

Of the 50 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 76% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

Veterinary Medicine pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.0% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Arizona is 100.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$160k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $159k in an average-cost state. 60.3% of Arizona clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Veterinarian Jobs

17 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution17 jobs · 14 employers

4
<$150k
3
$150k-180k
8
$180k-210k
0
$210k-240k
2
$240k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks17 jobs · 14 employers

CME allowance
94% this job
401k / retirement match
94% this job
Sign-on bonus
71% this job
Relocation assistance
35%
Loan repayment
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Feline-Only Veterinarian – Full-Time or Part-Time

Confidential Employer · New Orleans, Louisiana

$80k-$240k
#2

Feline-Only Veterinarian – Full-Time or Part-Time

Veterinary Practice Partners · New Orleans, Louisiana

$80k-$240k
#3

Veterinarian - Madera, CA

$150k-$200k
#4

Veterinarian (DVM) | ArkVets Central Phoenix

$180k-$200k
+ 15 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

3.0/ 10
Listing-based score
  • Includes call

Living in Phoenix

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$406k
Typical market rent
$1,574/mo
Residents’ average commute
26 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
103.3
State income tax
Up to 2.5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Lakefield Veterinary Group logo

About Lakefield Veterinary Group

Veterinary Services
Kent, Washington
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental, vision insurance
HSA contribution
Life and disability insurance
401(k) with employer match
PTO
CE allowance
Paid licensing and dues
Sign-on bonus