Emergency Veterinarian – Palo Alto, California
Location: Palo Alto, California
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 Palo Alto, 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. Veterinarians benefit from extensive mentorship, emergency-focused education, and professional development opportunities designed to support continued clinical growth.
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 the facilities and clinical support required for both minor and major emergency surgery.
The hospital treats more than traditional canine and feline patients, providing opportunities to manage exotic animal emergencies and broaden emergency medicine experience.
Professional development is a major focus, with extensive clinical mentorship, structured clinical and leadership development programs, and unlimited emergency medicine-focused continuing education.
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.
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
Annual travel stipend for eligible full-time credentialed employees
Annual travel stipend for eligible full-time uncredentialed employees
Paid parental leave
Inclusive fertility and family-building benefits
Flexible work schedules
Employee referral program
Professional scrubs and work-related apparel
Extensive mentorship and ongoing clinical development
Apply Today
This is an excellent opportunity for a veterinarian searching for an Emergency Veterinarian job in Palo Alto, CA offering exceptional earning potential, extensive professional development, and exposure to a diverse emergency and surgical caseload.
With $140,000–$350,000 total annual compensation, an expected base salary of $180,000–$200,000, discretionary production bonus potential, student loan repayment, unlimited ER-focused CE, and potential future equity eligibility, the position provides a compelling platform for a long-term career in emergency veterinary medicine.
Veterinarians with a strong interest in emergency medicine, soft tissue surgery, endoscopy, critical cases, and exotic animal emergencies who thrive in collaborative, fast-paced environments are encouraged to apply.
Contact:
Matt Doyle – Senior Associate Talent Partner
T: (213) 258-1399
E: matt@supreme-ss.com