Where your passion fuels your profession.
Associate Veterinarian | Up To $100k in Sign-On Bonuses| Shirkey Vet Clinic
Overview
As a veterinarian at Heartland Veterinary Partners, you will provide quality care to patients and empathetic service to clients. You will partner with other veterinarians, technicians, and client service representatives to operate as an efficient and productive team.
Success in this role takes a collaborative mindset while operating as an independent branch of Heartland. This is an opportunity to expand your skillset while using your excellent communication and interpersonal skills and passion for patient care to build a productive and rewarding career.
When you join us, you will make a real difference in the lives of our patients and clients. You will also become a valued member of our team and contribute to the success of our practice.
Job Details
Practice:
Shirkey Vet Clinic opened its doors in 2007. We are a general service animal hospital and welcome pet patients needing routine medical, surgical, and dental care. We have provides years of experience treating serious conditions and offering regular pet wellness care. Beyond first-rate pet care, we make our clinic comfortable, kid-friendly, and calm.
Position Purpose:
Shirkey Veterinary Clinic | Coal City, Illinois
Up to $100,000 in Sign-On Bonuses | No Weekends | Exceptional Work-Life Balance
Shirkey Veterinary Clinic is seeking an experienced Associate Veterinarian to join our thriving, well-established small animal practice in Coal City, Illinois. This is a rare opportunity to step into a respected community hospital with a loyal client base, outstanding technical support, and a schedule that truly supports life outside of work.
If you’re looking for high-quality medicine without weekend hours—and a team that genuinely enjoys working together—this could be your next professional home.
About Shirkey Veterinary Clinic
Shirkey Veterinary Clinic has long been a trusted pillar of the Coal City community. We provide comprehensive small animal care with a strong emphasis on preventative medicine, diagnostics, surgery, dentistry, and client education. Our clientele is loyal, compliant, and deeply connected to our team — they value long-term relationships and trust our recommendations.
Our continued growth is driven by word-of-mouth referrals and a reputation for compassionate, thorough care. We are proud to offer a modern, efficient practice environment that allows our veterinarians to focus on what matters most: delivering excellent medicine and building meaningful client relationships.
Our Team & Culture
You won’t be practicing alone here. Our experienced technicians and skilled assistants provide strong medical and workflow support, allowing our doctors to practice efficiently and confidently.
We foster a collaborative, positive culture where communication is open, ideas are welcomed, and teamwork is the foundation of everything we do. Our environment is supportive, respectful, and built around shared success. We believe that when our team feels valued and balanced, our patients receive the very best care.
If you enjoy a practice where people help one another, celebrate wins together, and genuinely like coming to work — you’ll fit right in.
Compensation & Benefits
We recognize and reward experience. Our package includes:
- Up to $100,000 in Sign-On Bonuses
- Competitive base salary with production opportunity
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Generous CE allowance and CE days
- Paid licensing, dues, and professional memberships
- Unlimited Paid Time Off
- Relocation bonus assistance available
- Leadership and growth opportunities
Each offer is customized to support your career goals and personal priorities.
Why Coal City, Illinois?
Coal City offers the charm of small-town living with convenient access to the greater Chicago metro area — just about an hour away. Residents enjoy a strong sense of community, excellent local schools, affordable housing, and a slower pace of life without sacrificing amenities.
Outdoor recreation, local dining, community events, and nearby state parks make it easy to enjoy your time outside of work. Whether you’re raising a family or looking for a welcoming place to settle down, Coal City offers both comfort and convenience.
Apply today to join the most amazing team in Illinois!
Essential Responsibilities:
- Examine and treat companion animals to detect and determine the nature of disease or injuries.
- Operate diagnostic equipment and collect diagnostic samples as well as interpret results.
- Advise pet owners on preventative care and treatment options.
- Perform surgery and prescribe medication as needed.
- Provide counsel around pet end of life care.
- Maintain patients’ medical records.
- Ensures compliance with veterinary ethics and relevant statues, policies, and procedures.
Requirements/Qualifications:
- DVM/VMD degree from an accredited AVMA institution.
- Appropriate state licensure.
- Eligibility to obtain DEA/BNDD.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrates professional and courteous presentation consistently with staff and clients.
- Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance.
Benefits Offered:
- Unlimited personal time
- Bonus incentives
- Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
- Retirement benefits (401(k), Roth(k) with match)
- CE and licensure reimbursement
- Flexible work schedules
- Managing career path development
- Employee Assistance Program
- DVM Referral Program
- Mental Health Resources
- Relocation assistance available
Pay Range:
USD $115,000.00 - USD $125,000.00 /Yr.Success Profile
We’re looking for passionate vets with the following traits:
- Adaptable
- Compassionate
- Communicator
- Critical Thinker
- Collaborative
- Empathetic
Culture
At Heartland Veterinary Partners, we believe that prioritizing care for veterinarians enables them to prioritize care for their patients. We offer several benefits and support programs to help veterinarians succeed, including:
Mentorship
We provide access to experienced mentors who can help our partners hone their craft and develop their skills, regardless of where they are in their career journey.
Choose Your Setting
We have practices in many states across the country with diverse settings and focuses, so our veterinarians can choose the environment that is best for them.
Work-Life Balance
We understand that our veterinarians have lives outside of the practice, and we are committed to helping them achieve balance.
Authentic Autonomy
Each practice is led locally, and we empower our teams to make all the clinical and inventory decisions to best meet the needs of the community they serve.
Support When it Matters Most
We support our veterinarians at every stage of their careers, from new graduates to experienced practitioners.
Career Path
New Graduate
This is your first veterinary role after school. You’re getting your feet wet and putting that education to work gaining the experience you need to become the vet you know you can be.
Clinically Confident
You’ve been here a while and have your feet under you. You still have plenty of learning and growing to do, but you’re well on your way.
Learning to Lead
Thanks to your experience and dedication, you’ve earned the trust and respect of your community and established yourself as an example for other vets to follow.
“I love working at a Heartland-owned practice. They let us be ourselves with the support of a corporation. My relationship with our regional director is genuine and supportive. It’s obvious anytime company leadership addresses the practices that they genuinely care about our wellbeing and make decisions with our best interests in mind. We are extremely lucky to work for a company this down to earth.”
- Dr. Alexandra Carter, Managing DVM
Rewards
-
Reward1
Generous Vacation Time
-
Reward2
Comprehensive Health and Wellness Benefits
-
Reward3
Flexible Scheduling
-
Reward4
401(k) and Roth(k) with match
-
Reward5
Continuing Education and Training Opportunities
-
Reward6
Relocation Assistance
Trending
-
You put patients first. We put you first.
Heartland is built by veterinarians and for veterinarians. Learn all about who we are and how we’re empowering vets to focus on doing the work they love.
-
Meet the team behind the mission.
Who are we? We’re a community of passionate animal lovers who are here to improve the lives of veterinarians. Come meet us.
Sign up for job alerts
Don't see what you’re looking for? Sign up and we'll notify you when roles become available.