Pros
Excellent vets so one can learn and get experience in many fields especially at a specialty center. Get to work with animals and that is my passion.
Cons
Cons are too many to list but the most important are: LOW PAY AND NEVER GET THE PROMISED REVIEWS AND SALARY ADJUSTMENTS. I have worked at 2 of the hospitals in the greater Seattle area and it is the same at both places. Always short staffed, schedules constantly changing and no schedule until the day before the week begins. How does one have a "life". I can't even schedule dr. appointments because I never have the same days off. I took my original job at VCA with a cut in pay but a promise of a raise in 3 months. I soon found out that there was a freeze on pay increases before I was hired. I was LIED TO AT THE VERY BEGINNING!! It has been 6-10 years and still no raise! I don't make enough money to live on my own so am at the mercy of roommates. Not what I expected when I went to school to be a licensed vet tech. IRREGULAR WORK HOURS as stated before no set schedule or shift. Expected to work until 11 p.m. one day and be back at 6:00 the next. REALLY??? How do you expect your employees to be at the top of their game with such nonsense?? NO BREAKS! I work 12-16 hours a day and rarely get a break, let alone lunch. SICK LEAVE & VACATION?? Pretty much non existent. You can accrue only so much time but are not able to use what you are owed. Even when sick, and with a doctors note, you are told to come in! (Always short staffed as they can't keep employees because of all the issues listed above!) MANAGEMENT is always changing---One just gets used to one manager and poof, the next day they are gone with no explanation. BENEFITS? WHAT A JOKE---Sick leave can not be used, same with vacation. Medical is VERY expensive and covers very little. Basically I don't make enough money to go to the doctor even with this crappy insurance. PROMOTIONS - non existent MANY EMPLOYMENT LAWS ARE BROKEN DAILY....