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Locum Veterinary Jobs in Columbus, OH (NOW HIRING)

VCA Animal Hospitals

Locum Veterinarian

Lancaster, OH · On-site

VCA FAIRFIELD located in Lancaster, Ohio is looking for a part-time relief veterinarian who enjoys practicing advanced medicine with a cohesive, tenured team. Part Time position with Full Time ...

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Locum Veterinary information

See Columbus, OH salary details

$47.8K

$159.9K

$284K

How much do locum veterinary jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for locum veterinary in Columbus, OH is $159,883.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,200.00 and $210,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Locum Veterinary, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Locum Veterinary, you need a veterinary degree, relevant licensure, and broad clinical competency across small or large animal care. Familiarity with practice management software, digital radiography, and anesthesia machines is often required, along with up-to-date professional certifications. Strong soft skills include adaptability, excellent interpersonal communication, and quick problem-solving to integrate smoothly into new teams and environments. These skills are crucial for delivering consistent, high-quality care and maintaining workflow continuity across diverse veterinary practices.

What are some common challenges locum veterinarians face when transitioning between different clinics or practices?

Locum veterinarians often encounter challenges such as adapting quickly to new clinic protocols, electronic medical record systems, and varying team dynamics. Each practice may have different expectations, equipment, and client communication styles, requiring flexibility and strong interpersonal skills. Building rapport with new colleagues and clients while maintaining high standards of care is essential to ensure smooth transitions and positive outcomes for patients.

What are locum veterinarians?

Locum veterinarians are qualified veterinary professionals who temporarily fill in at veterinary practices, clinics, or hospitals when regular staff are unavailable due to leave, illness, or staffing shortages. They may work on short-term contracts or on an as-needed basis, providing flexibility for both the practice and the veterinarian. Locum vets perform the same duties as permanent staff, such as diagnosing and treating animals, performing surgeries, and advising pet owners. This role allows veterinarians to gain experience in different settings and locations, and helps practices maintain continuous care for their animal patients.

What is the difference between Locum Veterinary vs Permanent Veterinary?

AspectLocum VeterinaryPermanent Veterinary
CredentialsLicensed VeterinarianLicensed Veterinarian
Work EnvironmentTemporary, flexible clinics or hospitalsFull-time, long-term practice
Employer UsageShort-term staffing needsEstablished clinics or hospitals
Search IntentTemporary veterinary workLong-term veterinary employment

In summary, a Locum Veterinary provides temporary, flexible veterinary services to cover staffing gaps, while a Permanent Veterinary is employed full-time for ongoing practice needs. Both roles require similar credentials but differ mainly in duration and employment stability.

What are the most commonly searched types of Veterinary jobs in Columbus, OH? The most popular types of Veterinary jobs in Columbus, OH are:
What are popular job titles related to Locum Veterinary jobs in Columbus, OH? For Locum Veterinary jobs in Columbus, OH, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Locum Veterinary jobs in Columbus, OH look for? The top searched job categories for Locum Veterinary jobs in Columbus, OH are:
Locum Veterinary jobs near you
Infographic showing various Locum Veterinary job openings in Columbus, OH as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $159,883 per year, or $76.9 per hour.
Locum Veterinarian

Locum Veterinarian

VCA Animal Hospitals

Lancaster, OH

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

VCA Animal Hospitals rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 642 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

25th of 45 rated veterinary

Job description

Part-Time Relief Veterinarian

VCA Fairfield located in Lancaster, Ohio is looking for a part-time relief veterinarian who enjoys practicing advanced medicine with a cohesive, tenured team. Part time position with full time opportunities! Operating hours are Monday-Friday 8am-7:30pm and Saturday 8am-1:30pm. Very flexible hours!

As a member of the VCA family, eligible full-time employees will be rewarded with a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • Health & Well-being Innovative associate health and well-being department (Headspace app subscriptions, Vault financial wellness tool, and access to additional mental health resources)
  • 401k retirement savings plan with company match
  • Health/dental/vision insurance, infertility benefits, gender affirmation services
  • Paid parental, vacation and sick leave
  • Professional Development Continuing Education Allowance and paid Continuing Education Days
  • WOOF University – offering abundant CE for Doctors and Staff
  • VCA Academy's Mentorship Program – participate as a mentee or mentor in a GP or ER setting
  • Opportunities to participate in a robust Clinical Studies program
  • Additional Benefits Up to 100% Pet Care Discount for your own pets
  • 100% paid professional liability coverage
  • 100% paid life insurance
  • 100% paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
  • Access to a network of 5,000 doctors, including more than 600 specialists

If you are a current associate, you need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!

The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.

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