I’m looking for a new permanent position as a DVM. I recently just completed a courtship with a CityVet clinic (worked a couple shifts but was not selected for the job). I really liked the idea of the sort of hybrid corporate structure where there is actual doctor autonomy.
My most recent position was in a clinic owned by Thrive Pet Healthcare. I was hired on in July 2024 and loved it at first. The lead tech left a few months later and things went downhill from there where we couldn’t find a suitable tech and were relying heavily on relief. I had my own situation that required for me to miss quite a bit because I became the main caregiver to someone with cancer. The PM told me she would handle it but then tried throwing me under the bus (even though I was granted state assistance and job security) because she didn’t actually handle anything with corporate and they started breathing down her neck. Then the medical director was out for a few months and I took over role of MD as well as associate without any real direction from corporate. The MD resigned shortly after returning from medical leave, I was told by the PM the position was mine and then when I spoke with corporate they immediately shot me down. I then had my own medical leave and the PM resigned right before I returned. The entire company seemed to restructure while I was out and they came down on me hard, even to the point of believing the extremist accusations of the new PM without speaking with me first or verifying medical records. They terminated me right before I was scheduled to have surgery that I had gotten approval for.
I have a meeting with a rep from Mission Pet Health and I just want feedback on if they are truly any different from Thrive or any other large corporation that doesn’t actually care about employees or trust doctors/care enough to verify gossip and accusations.
I have no interest in being medical director or practice owner but each clinic I work at seems to wind up putting me in that position. I just want to practice medicine alongside experienced staff. I have always had the responsibility of training techs and assistants but I lack the leadership to be successful with those who have no experience or confidence in their skills. I don’t enjoy having to be a doctor, tech, and receptionist all in one.
I am, by nature, timid and soft. I’m not going to step on toes. Im not a go-getter wishing to climb a corporate ladder. I don’t value my own opinions/beliefs over others with different experiences. I’m here to learn from everyone, collaborate with all colleagues, and help educate pet parents to make the best decisions for their fur babies. I’m feeling super down on myself like maybe I should reconsider being a veterinarian altogether, which is terrifying because I don’t know what else I would want to do.
If you’ve read this far, thank you. Any input, advice, etc. is appreciated.