Emergency Veterinarian

National Veterinary Associates; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Health insurance

CE allowance

PTO

Retirement plan

Overnight stipend

Access to specialists

Emergency/critical care coverage

Job summary

Veterinary Specialty Hospital - North County in San Marcos, CA is seeking an experienced Emergency Veterinarian to join our collaborative ER team within a busy, specialty hospital.

Choose a model: $195,000 base plus 25% production for 13 shifts per month, or $150,000 base plus 25% production for 10 shifts per month, with a $500 overnight stipend per overnight shift and a $25,000 sign-on bonus.

Qualifications

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree with eligibility for California licensure.
• 2-3+ years of emergency medicine experience or completion of a rotating internship preferred.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality emergency and critical care to a diverse caseload of companion animals.
• Evaluate, diagnose, and develop treatment plans for urgent and emergent cases.
• Provide comprehensive emergency care with triage, stabilization, and collaboration with specialists.

Skills

Emergency medicine

Team collaboration

Client communication

Education

DVM or equivalent veterinary degree

Job description

Hospital Name: Veterinary Specialty Hospital - North County

Job Type: Veterinarian - Emergency

Employment Type: Permanent

Description & Requirements

$25,000 Sign-On Bonus

Full-Time Emergency Veterinarian opportunity in San Marcos, California

Compensation: $195,000 base salary + 25% production for 13 shifts per month OR $150,000 base salary + 25% production for 10 shifts per month

Schedule: You choose-10 or 13 shifts per month | 13-hour shifts | $500 stipend for each overnight shift

At Veterinary Specialty Hospital - North County, collaboration is at the heart of how we practice medicine.

We are seeking an experienced Emergency Veterinarian to join a well-established ER team within a highly collaborative emergency and specialty hospital. From informal consultations to integrated case management, our doctors work across specialties to deliver exceptional medicine while supporting one another throughout the process.

Our ER team includes approximately 10 emergency veterinarians and is supported by experienced RVTs, VTSs, and support staff. With two criticalists providing seven-day-a-week coverage and in-house cardiology joining an already robust group of specialty services, you’ll have access to the expertise and resources needed to thoroughly work up cases and provide outstanding patient care.

You’ll also have the flexibility to choose the schedule that works best for you-10 or 13 shifts per month-allowing you to build a career that supports your professional and personal priorities.

As part of Ethos Veterinary Health, your voice, growth, and expertise truly matter.

Location Highlight

Located in beautiful North County San Diego, San Marcos offers a welcoming community and exceptional quality of life with convenient access to both the coast and everything greater San Diego has to offer.

Enjoy year-round sunshine, hiking and outdoor recreation, nearby beaches, restaurants, breweries, and easy access to surrounding North County communities while building your career in one of Southern California’s most desirable regions.

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.

• $25,000 sign-on bonus
• Choice of two compensation and scheduling models:
  • $195,000 base salary + 25% production for 13 shifts per month
  • $150,000 base salary + 25% production for 10 shifts per month
• $500 overnight stipend per overnight shift
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• CE allowance and professional development support
• Paid time off
• Retirement savings options
• Employee assistance programs
• Experienced RVT, VTS, and support staff
• Seven-day-a-week Critical Care coverage
• Access to a comprehensive team of board-certified specialists
• Collaborative case management and specialty consultation

ER ABVP Guided Program - The ER ABVP Guided Program offers a path that meets you where you are, allowing you to reach your emergency career goals without the need for an internship. Ideal for emergency practitioners within the Ethos network looking to deepen your expertise in emergency practice, this path allows you to stay in your current Ethos network hospital, enjoying your full wages and benefits while practicing at an Ethos hospital and pursuing board certification.

In your day-to-day, you will:

• Deliver high-quality emergency and critical care to a diverse caseload of companion animals.
• Evaluate, diagnose, and develop treatment plans for patients presenting with urgent and emergent medical conditions.
• Provide comprehensive emergency care through a balanced mix of receiving new emergency cases, triaging incoming patients, and managing hospitalized patients throughout their course of treatment.
• Perform emergency procedures and stabilize critically ill or injured patients using evidence-based medicine.
• Collaborate closely with specialists across Internal Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Neurology, Cardiology, Medical Oncology, and Critical Care.
• Work alongside experienced RVTs, VTSs, emergency veterinarians, and support staff to provide seamless patient care.
• Communicate clearly and empathetically with pet owners during stressful and emotional situations.
• Contribute to a positive, team-focused hospital culture built on collaboration, education, mentorship, and continuous learning.

What You Bring

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree with eligibility for California veterinary licensure.
• Completion of a rotating internship or 2-3+ years of emergency medicine experience.
• Confidence managing emergency cases and making sound clinical decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• 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 emergency veterinary 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.

At VSH North County, you’ll join a collaborative emergency and specialty team where expertise is valued, specialties work together, and you’ll have the resources and support to deliver exceptional medicine.