Emergency Veterinarian

Emergency Veterinarian – Costa Mesa, California

Location: Costa Mesa, California | Orange County
Schedule: Full-time | Flexible scheduling | Rotating nights, weekends, and holidays based on hospital needs | 24/7 emergency hospital
Compensation: $140,000–$350,000 per year, inclusive of base salary and discretionary production bonus target | Expected base salary: $180,000–$200,000
Emergency Surgery | Exotic Patients | Unlimited ER-Focused CE | Student Loan Repayment | Potential Equity

About the Role

A progressive 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital in Costa Mesa, California is seeking an Emergency Veterinarian to join its fast-paced and collaborative clinical team.

The position offers total annual compensation of $140,000–$350,000 , inclusive of base salary and a discretionary production bonus target, with an expected base salary of $180,000–$200,000 .

Veterinarians manage a diverse emergency caseload ranging from routine urgent presentations to complex medical emergencies, minor and major emergency surgery, endoscopy, advanced diagnostics, and exotic animal cases .

The hospital follows an open-concept approach to emergency medicine, encouraging close involvement from pet owners throughout the treatment process. Extensive mentorship, emergency-focused education, and clinical development opportunities provide ongoing support for veterinarians looking to advance their ER careers.

About the Practice

This modern emergency veterinary hospital operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year , providing immediate veterinary care across a broad spectrum of emergency presentations.

The hospital's open-concept clinical environment promotes transparency and direct communication between veterinary professionals and pet owners, allowing families to remain closely involved throughout much of their pet's emergency care.

Veterinarians have access to diagnostic capabilities including ultrasound, digital radiography, bloodwork, biopsy procedures, and endoscopy , alongside facilities and clinical support for both minor and major emergency surgery.

The caseload extends beyond traditional canine and feline medicine, providing opportunities to manage exotic animal emergencies and develop broader emergency medicine experience.

Professional development is a major focus, with extensive mentorship, clinical and leadership development programs, and unlimited emergency medicine-focused continuing education available.

Flexible scheduling helps support life outside of work, although veterinarians must be available for rotating or as-needed nights, weekends, and holidays according to hospital requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide emergency and critical veterinary care across a diverse caseload

• Rapidly assess and triage incoming emergency patients

• Gather patient histories, presenting complaints, vital signs, and clinical information

• Perform comprehensive physical examinations

• Develop appropriate differential diagnoses

• Create individualized diagnostic and therapeutic plans

• Perform and interpret ultrasound examinations where appropriate

• Utilize digital radiography, bloodwork, and other diagnostic modalities

• Perform biopsies and additional diagnostic procedures when clinically indicated

• Perform minor and major emergency soft tissue surgeries

• Perform endoscopic procedures

• Stabilize critically ill and injured patients

• Manage hospitalized emergency patients

• Provide appropriate emergency care for exotic animal patients

• Answer appropriate medical questions by telephone

• Communicate diagnoses and treatment options directly with pet owners

• Prepare and discuss treatment estimates

• Explain recommended diagnostic tests and treatments clearly

• Address client questions and concerns with empathy and professionalism

• Educate clients regarding discharge care and preventive measures where appropriate

• Create and review accurate medical records

• Collaborate closely with veterinarians and the wider emergency care team

• Provide clinical leadership on the hospital floor

• Maintain high standards of emergency veterinary medicine and professional ethics

• Participate in continuing education and ongoing clinical development

Candidate Profile

Candidates must hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or equivalent and meet applicable requirements to practice veterinary medicine in California.

Applicants should have a strong passion for emergency veterinary medicine and be comfortable managing a fast-paced and unpredictable caseload.

Candidates should possess the clinical capability and confidence to perform emergency soft tissue surgery and endoscopy , alongside the medical management of emergency presentations.

Applicants must be available to work nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating or as-needed basis according to hospital requirements.

Strong communication, empathy, teamwork, curiosity, accountability, humility, and the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of clients and colleagues are important for success.

The position requires the physical ability to stand for prolonged periods, kneel and work at floor level, lift up to approximately 25 kg independently, and assist with patients weighing up to approximately 40 kg .

Compensation & Benefits

The position offers a comprehensive compensation, benefits, and professional development package including:

• $140,000–$350,000 annual compensation range for a full-time position, inclusive of base salary and discretionary production bonus target

• Expected base salary of $180,000–$200,000

• Discretionary production bonus opportunity

• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits starting from day one

• Free therapy or counseling access

• Mental health and wellbeing training and resources

• Potential equity eligibility after one year of full-time active employment, depending on role and applicable requirements

• Clinical student loan repayment

• Unlimited emergency medicine-focused continuing education

• Clinical and leadership development programs

• Up to $2,500 annual travel stipend for eligible full-time credentialed employees

• Up to $1,000 annual travel stipend for eligible full-time uncredentialed employees

• Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks at 100% of regular salary

• Inclusive fertility and family-building benefits

• Flexible work schedules

• Employee referral program

• Professional scrubs and work-related apparel

• Extensive mentorship and ongoing clinical development