Where your passion fuels your profession.
Veterinarian Grand Avenue Veterinary Hospital
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:
Grand Avenue Veterinary Hospital has been proudly serving the West Des Moines, Des Moines, Norwalk, Urbandale, Clive, and surrounding communities since the 1950s. We provide comprehensive, progressive care to dogs and cats in a welcoming, family-friendly setting where clients are on a first-name basis with our doctors and staff. Our focus is on building strong, lasting relationships with pets and their people while practicing high-quality medicine.
Our medical team includes:
- Dr. Christine Wauhob, a 1998 graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, has been with the practice since 2005. She works part-time with a strong focus on oncology, pathology, and internal medicine. Dr. Christine is known for her thorough diagnostic work-ups and does not perform surgical procedures.
- Dr. Emily Gearig, a 2011 graduate of Iowa State University, joined our practice in July 2023 and became managing DVM in October 2023. With 12 years of mixed animal experience in Ohio, Dr. Emily brings a wide skill set, including certification in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy (chiropractic care) since 2018. She also provides laser therapy, soft tissue surgery, dental/oral surgery, and ultrasound.
- Dr. Adam Steffensmeier, a 2025 graduate of Iowa State University, is the newest addition to our team, bringing fresh knowledge and enthusiasm to our practice.
Our doctors are supported by a dedicated team of veterinary technicians and support staff who are passionate about patient care, client education, and teamwork.
At Grand Avenue Veterinary Hospital, we take pride in blending progressive medicine with a small-town, personal feel.
Position Purpose:
Full-Time DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)
Grand Avenue Veterinary Hospital
312 Grand Avenue West, West Des Moines, IA 50265, United States
About Us
At Grand Avenue Veterinary Hospital—a proud fixture in the West Des Moines community for over 50 years—we are a caring, client-focused general practice. Staffed by experienced DVMs, including Dr. Christy Wauhob and Dr. Emily Gearig, our team is committed to staying current with the latest advancements in veterinary medicine and providing compassionate, personalized care to every patient and client. We offer a welcoming environment, treating pets as if they were our own while serving pets throughout the Des Moines metro area.
Position: Full-Time Veterinarian (DVM)
Grand Avenue Veterinary Hospital is seeking a dedicated, full-time DVM to join our collaborative team in West Des Moines, IA.
Responsibilities
Provide comprehensive care including wellness exams, diagnostics, vaccinations, dental cleanings, general surgery, laser therapy, and chiropractic care.
Communicate effectively with pet owners: explain findings, recommendations, and wellness plans
Collaborate with technicians and support staff to optimize patient care and clinic flow
Maintain accurate medical records in compliance with clinic protocols
Participate in continuing education and training to stay current on standards and techniques
Qualifications
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree from an AVMA-accredited institution
- All experience levels encouraged to apply - great mentorship is available
Current Iowa veterinary license (or eligibility to obtain)
Compassionate, team-oriented approach to patient care
Strong diagnostic, surgical, and communication skills
What We Offer
- Comprehensive benefits: medical/dental/vision insurance, paid time off, retirement plan
Supportive team environment—work alongside experienced colleagues in a practice dedicated to excellence
Continuing education support and professional development opportunities
Modern facility offering services like laser therapy, and onsite diagnostics, plus access to board-certified referral partners for advanced cases
Schedule
Monday–Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM; closed weekend
Why Join Us?
Grand Avenue is not just a veterinary clinic—it’s a place where pets are family. If you aspire to build lasting relationships with clients, grow professionally, and contribute meaningfully to a close-knit team, we’d love to have you on our team.
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 $100,000.00 - USD $120,000.00 /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
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Generous Vacation Time
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Comprehensive Health and Wellness Benefits
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Flexible Scheduling
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401(k) and Roth(k) with match
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Continuing Education and Training Opportunities
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Relocation Assistance
Trending
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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.
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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.
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