New ER Doctor (NERD) Program: Starts October 2026, Practicing Veterinarians - Palm Desert, CA

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT VEG

In 2014, VEG was born with a mission to help people and their pets when they need it most. This meant challenging the status quo and fixing everything that was wrong with the ER experience. Since then, we've expanded rapidly, with hospitals nationwide open 24/7, 365 days a year, and created a better emergency experience—not only for people and their pets, but also for everyone who works here—our VEGgies!

At VEG we find a way to say yes to the career you want in veterinary emergency medicine. This means transforming how ER works, from our open-concept hospitals, where you can handle emergency cases of every kind (even exotics!) to our immersive, customer-focused experience, which helps us give people and their pets the care they deserve.

This also means saying yes to creating the greatest experience possible for our VEGgies. Yes to working in an environment where you can find your place and feel valued for the amazing work you do. Yes to having unparalleled opportunities for learning and mentorship so you can grow where you want to go in your career. And yes to making an impact here in ways you never thought possible.

VEG is a 2025 and 2026 certified Great Place to Work®.

THE PROGRAM

The VEG New ER Doctor (NERD) program is designed to transform practicing non-emergency veterinarians into exceptional, confident VEG ER doctors. This six-month deep dive into the action of emergency is a structured, immersive program like no other that allows participants to transition into full-time ER doctors at VEG after successful completion. Integrating academic and clinical teachings with individualized mentorship, this program fuels a passion for ER and creates a deeper meaning around life-saving veterinary heroics. If you're hungry to learn how to do ER, perform surgeries, advance your endoscopy skills, learn about exotics, and discover the unique rewards of customer-focused care in an open concept hospital, we find a way to say yes to training you in our NERD program.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Work side-by-side with experienced VEG doctors who will mentor you through real ER cases, offering guidance and feedback every step of the way. This isn't just shadowing—it's hands-on learning with built-in mentorship.
• New ER Doctors (a.k.a. NERDS!) get up-close, firsthand ER experience, working 3-4 hospital shifts per week (days, swings, and nights), as well as through weekly case discussions, literature reviews, and hands-on training at state-of-the-art facilities. 
• Learn best practices for client-centered communication and care, the VEG Way.

What CE experiences can you expect to attend during the program?

From hands-on training to weekly didactic learning, NERD program participants earn over 160 RACE-approved CE hours in just six months—which takes most doctors 10 years to complete! Some CE highlights include: 

• Abdominal, thoracic and cardiac point-of care ultrasound
• Exotic companion animals in the ER
• Flexible GI endoscopy
• Small animal emergency surgery
• Small animal critical care lab
• RECOVER ALS and BLS Rescuer CPR certification

All paid for by VEG!

WHAT YOU NEED

• A passion for helping people and their pets
• A valid DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree 
• Be a practicing veterinarian for 1+ years
• A desire to live and breathe emergency medicine
• A valid license to practice veterinary medicine, as well as a valid DEA registration in the state you will be completing your program by your start date
• Ability to stand for prolonged hours, kneel, and work on the floor, as well as ability to lift up to 25 kg on own and able to support up to 40 kg with assistance
• Must be willing to work in a noisy environment with strong or unpleasant odors
• Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating or as needed basis based on hospital needs
• Work well in a fast-paced environment with people from all backgrounds and different personality types
• Can commit to a predetermined schedule for a consecutive six-month period

WHO YOU ARE

• Empathetic, instinctively taking a people-centric approach, whether supporting your colleagues or making an effort to understand different perspectives
• Have a sense of humility; acknowledging mistakes, sharing credit with others, and lifting up your team's' accomplishments
• Feel a strong sense of ownership over your work, taking responsibility for outcomes and staying committed to achieving long-term, impactful results 
• Curious by nature; you ask insightful questions and continuously seek out opportunities to learn and grow your skills and knowledge

*Please note: Once you apply, you will be asked to provide the names and email addresses of one to two references. Please make them aware that we'll be sending them a letter of recommendation questionnaire through a platform called RefApp. 

*Please also note: Relocation for the NERD program may be required. All New ER Doctor graduates are guaranteed a spot at VEG as an emergency doctor at a hospital location of our choosing upon successful completion of the program in the required time frame and passing all required program competencies and benchmarks. Training and post-placement will be discussed with your talent manager.

HOW WE INVEST IN YOU

As a NERD, you'll spend six months learning from specialists and experts in emergency medicine, all while receiving competitive compensation and benefits. Between base salary and all the components of the training program, VEG invests $100,000 in each NERD! We do this because we believe you want you to be an experienced ER doctor who will save pet's lives the VEG Way.

• Competitive compensation + benefits that start on day one.  Compensation is 120K annually during the training program.
• 160+ hours of RACE-approved CE during your six-month program and a BIG focus on learning and growth, from VEG-created clinical and leadership programs to unlimited ER CE + travel stipend (No really!)
• Equity after one year of full time, active employment with VEG, so you can share in our growth and success
• Student loan repayment (after your 1st year with VEG)
• Free exams and 50% off VEG treatments 
• Pet bereavement leave
• Clinical student loan repayment so you don't need to worry about your student debt 
• Paid parental leave, up to 12 weeks at 100% of regular salary and inclusive fertility and family-building care for all types of families
• Flexible work schedules to support your life outside of work
• Generous employee referral program, so our awesome people can bring in more awesome people
• And the little (big) things, like comfy scrubs, cool VEG swag, and food in the fridge for when you're hungry

DEI

At VEG, diversity is not just a word—it's a strength that fuels innovation and kindness. Our mission is "Helping people and their pets when they need it most." And we do that better when our VEGgies (employees) feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. That's why we're devoted to creating an environment that reflects the diverse communities we serve—where different perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated.

We are focused on providing equitable opportunities for growth, promoting inclusive decision-making, and ensuring that everyone's perspective is considered. Saying yes to VEG means helping us build a culture where your unique experiences and background contribute to a shared vision: being the world's veterinary emergency company.