Veterinary Surgeon

Job Description

Veterinary Surgeon

Full-Time opportunity in West Caldwell, New Jersey

Why Join Animal Emergency & Referral Associates (AERA)

At Animal Emergency & Referral Associates (AERA), you'll join one of New Jersey's leading specialty and emergency hospitals, where advanced medicine, collaboration, and clinical excellence are at the heart of everything we do. We are seeking a board-certified or residency-trained Veterinary Surgeon who is passionate about practicing high-level specialty medicine while working alongside a talented and supportive multidisciplinary team.

Since opening as an after-hours emergency clinic in 1977, AERA has grown into a premier referral center serving patients throughout the region. In 2021, we opened our state-of-the-art 45,000-square-foot facility designed to foster collaboration, efficiency, and innovation in specialty veterinary care. You'll work alongside specialists in Anesthesia, Internal Medicine, Radiation Oncology, and Emergency & Critical Care while benefiting from access to advanced technology including on-site MRI, CT, Varian Halcyon linear accelerator, C-Arm imaging, and other cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment capabilities.

Whether you're an experienced surgeon or completing residency training, you'll find a collaborative environment that values mentorship, professional development, compassionate communication, and continuous learning. At AERA, we're committed to supporting your growth as a clinician while providing the resources, caseload, and team environment needed to build a rewarding and successful career.

To learn more about what matters to us and meet the team,

Location Highlight

West Caldwell offers the best of both worlds, combining suburban comfort with easy access to major metropolitan amenities. Located just 25 miles from New York City, the area provides convenient commuting options while still offering quick access to the mountains, lakes, and outdoor recreation opportunities of northern New Jersey. With Newark International Airport less than 30 minutes away, excellent schools, diverse dining, and vibrant communities, West Caldwell is an exceptional place to live and work.

View AERA's Local Guide

Perks & Benefits

Benefits for this role may include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement benefits, paid time off (including sick leave and vacation), short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
• Competitive compensation
• Sign-on or relocation assistance
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• CE allowance and professional development support
• Paid time off
• Retirement savings options
• Employee assistance programs
• Exceptional earning potential
• Leadership and career advancement opportunities within Ethos Veterinary Health
• The anticipated starting base salary range for individuals expressing interest in this position is $240,000 to $300,000 per year.


In your day-to-day, you will:
• Balance your time between consultations, advanced diagnostic workups, surgical procedures, and post-operative case management to deliver exceptional patient care.
• Perform a broad range of orthopedic and soft tissue surgical procedures utilizing advanced imaging, surgical equipment, and specialty hospital resources.
• Collaborate closely with Internal Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Emergency & Critical Care, Anesthesia, and other specialty services to provide integrated treatment plans for complex patients.
• Utilize advanced hospital technology including MRI, CT, C-Arm imaging, and other diagnostic capabilities to support surgical planning and optimize patient outcomes.
• Help shape and grow the surgical service by contributing to hospital initiatives, process improvements, mentoring opportunities, and long-term strategic priorities.
• Work alongside a dedicated surgical nursing and support team that shares a commitment to clinical excellence, efficiency, and outstanding patient care.
• Build trusted relationships with referring veterinarians through timely communication, collaborative case management, and expert surgical consultation.
• Guide pet owners through surgical recommendations, treatment plans, and recovery expectations with empathy, transparency, and confidence.
• Mentor technicians, assistants, interns, and support staff while fostering a culture of teamwork, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to a collaborative hospital culture focused on innovation, professional growth, exceptional patient care, and advancing specialty medicine.

What You Bring
• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree with eligibility for state veterinary licensure.
• Board Certification in Surgery (DACVS-SA) or Residency Trained in Small Animal Surgery.
• Strong communication skills with a compassionate, client-centered approach.
• A collaborative mindset and commitment to exceptional patient care.
• A passion for continuous learning, teamwork, and advancing specialty medicine.

Join Us

At Ethos, this isn't just a job, it's an opportunity to practice medicine at the highest level and help shape the future of veterinary care.

Candidates can confidentially submit their CV to Jennifer Harper at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Ethos Veterinary Health, part of the NVA Group, is where you come to practice world-class medicine, and help shape what veterinary care becomes next.

Across our network of 140 specialty and emergency hospitals, science moves forward, standards are elevated, and innovation is put into practice every day. You'll work alongside respected veterinary leaders in academic-caliber hospitals designed for learning, teaching, and discovery.

Here, mentorship is a two-way street. You'll share your expertise, learn from others, and continue to grow, clinically, professionally, and personally.

At Ethos, you inspire hope, deliver exceptional care, and pursue veterinary medicine at its highest level, together.

Benefits for this role may include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement benefits, paid time off (including sick leave and vacation), short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance.

Ethos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Ethos does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need.