New Graduate Veterinarian Mentorship Program

New Graduate Mentorship Program 

Reports to: Hospital Administration, Director of Vet Development, Medical Coordinators

Program Overview & Long-Term Vision

The New Graduate Mentorship Program at Absecon Veterinary Hospital (AVH) is a structured, year-long program designed to support new graduate veterinarians as they transition into confident, competent, and fulfilled clinicians.

Our goal is not just to train, but to build long-term relationships. This program is intentionally designed as a pathway to continued employment, with the expectation that successful participants will transition into a permanent associate veterinarian role with AVH at the conclusion of the first year.

We are deeply invested in mentorship, sustainability, and retention, and we seek candidates who are excited to grow with our hospital beyond their mentorship year.

About Absecon Veterinary Hospital

Absecon Veterinary Hospital (AVH) is a privately owned, AAHA-accredited hospital that has proudly served Atlantic County and surrounding communities since 1980. Our general practice provides comprehensive wellness, sick care, urgent care, emergency, and surgical services, with a strong emphasis on client communication and patient-centered medicine.

Key highlights of our hospital include:

• AAHA Accredited for over 30 years

• Fear Free Certified (since 2022)

• Cat Friendly Gold Certified

• Expanded Emergency Services (opened in 2020)

• Growing Exotics and Integrative Care, including acupuncture

Our emergency service functions as an extension of local primary care hospitals, supporting the broader veterinary community with after-hours care (to 10pm) and overnight hospitalization.

Program Description

The AVH New Graduate Mentorship Program provides a comprehensive, supported clinical experience across:

• General Practice

• Emergency Medicine

• Surgery

Participants receive hands-on training, consistent mentorship, and progressive responsibility in a learning-focused environment. By the end of the year, doctors are prepared to step confidently into an associate role with a strong clinical foundation and established relationships with clients and staff.

Mentorship & Educational Support

We prioritize safety, clinical support, and growth. New graduates are never scheduled alone without senior veterinarian support.

Mentorship includes:

• One-on-one case and surgical mentorship with experienced veterinarians

• Real-time collaboration during clinical shifts

• Weekly Intern/Mentee Rounds focused on:

  • Case discussion

  • Clinical reasoning

  • Client communication

  • Professional development

• Periodic educational lectures

• Wet labs to strengthen technical skills

• Quarterly performance reviews with structured feedback and goal setting

Clinical Responsibilities & Schedule

The typical weekly schedule includes:

• Two General Practice shifts

• One Emergency Department shift

• One Surgery shift

All emergency and surgery shifts are scheduled alongside a senior associate veterinarian.

General Practice:
New graduates begin with shadowing and transition to independent appointments with appropriate time, mentorship, and case selection to support confidence-building and relationship development with clients and staff.

Urgent Care & Emergency Department:
During emergency shifts, participants assist with 1–3 hospitalized cases and support incoming urgent care cases and emergencies under direct supervision. Responsibilities include:

• Patient examinations

• Treatment plan adjustments

• Client and referring veterinarian communication

• Medical record completion

• Participation in rounds, procedures, and surgeries as appropriate

Surgery:
Participants perform pre-anesthetic exams, review cases, and prepare anesthesia plans (finalized with a supervising veterinarian). Surgical responsibility progresses throughout the year:

• Starting with spays and neuters

• Advancing to more complex procedures as skills develop

Benefits, Vacation & Holidays

• 3 weeks of paid vacation

• Shift trades permitted in lieu of vacation time, when feasible

• Eight recognized holidays:

  • Memorial Day

  • July 4th

  • Labor Day

  • Thanksgiving Day

  • Christmas Eve

  • Christmas Day

  • New Year’s Eve

  • New Year’s Day

• Participants are expected to work half of the holidays (4 total)

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• CE allowance

• Uniform allowance (in addition to provided uniforms)

• Generous personal pet discount

• Mental health and employee assistance programs

• Additional ancillary benefits

Compensation

Starting salary: $90,000 per year