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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Emergency Veterinarian

💰 $120,000 - $180,000+ (commensurate with experience and production)

Veterinary MedicineHealthcareEmergency ServicesAnimal Care

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a veterinarian who thrives on the unpredictable, finds fulfillment in critical moments, and possesses a passion for life-saving medicine? This role requires a dedicated and resilient Emergency Veterinarian to be the calm in the storm for pets and their families. In this vital role, you will be the first line of defense, diagnosing and treating a diverse and complex caseload in our state-of-the-art emergency animal hospital. You'll work alongside a highly skilled team of technicians and support staff, utilizing advanced diagnostics and your sharp clinical judgment to make a real difference when it matters most. If you're ready to embrace the challenge and reward of emergency medicine, we want to connect with you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • New Veterinary School Graduate (following a rotating internship)
  • General Practice Veterinarian seeking a more dynamic environment
  • Rotating or ER-focused Intern

Advancement To:

  • Medical Director or Chief of Emergency Services
  • Critical Care Specialist (following residency)
  • Hospital Partner or Practice Owner
  • Senior Emergency Veterinarian / Team Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Urgent Care Veterinarian
  • Specialty Intern (e.g., Surgery, Internal Medicine)
  • Relief / Locum ER Veterinarian

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform thorough patient assessments, triage, and stabilization of emergent and critically ill animals presenting to the hospital.
  • Develop and execute comprehensive diagnostic plans utilizing in-house laboratory equipment, digital radiography, ultrasound, and other advanced imaging modalities.
  • Formulate and implement effective, evidence-based treatment plans for a wide variety of complex medical and surgical emergency cases.
  • Perform a range of emergency surgical procedures, including but not limited to wound repair, laceration management, gastrointestinal foreign body removal, splenectomy, and caesarean sections.
  • Manage and monitor critically ill hospitalized patients, making real-time adjustments to treatment protocols based on patient response and evolving condition.
  • Deliver clear, compassionate, and empathetic communication to pet owners regarding their pet's condition, the proposed diagnostic and treatment plan, prognosis, and estimated costs.
  • Lead the medical team during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other critical stabilization efforts, directing support staff with confidence and clarity.
  • Maintain meticulous, accurate, and timely medical records within the practice's information management system (PIMS).
  • Administer and monitor general anesthesia and sedation for a variety of surgical and diagnostic procedures, ensuring patient safety and comfort.
  • Interpret complex diagnostic results, including bloodwork, urinalysis, ECGs, radiographs, and FAST scans, to guide clinical decision-making.
  • Provide exceptional pain management by creating and overseeing multimodal analgesic plans for both medical and surgical patients.
  • Collaborate seamlessly with referring veterinarians to ensure continuity of care, providing detailed updates and transfer summaries.
  • Handle multiple critical cases simultaneously in a high-pressure environment, demonstrating superior multitasking and time-management skills.
  • Guide and mentor veterinary technicians, assistants, and students, fostering a culture of continuous learning and teamwork.
  • Stay current on the latest advancements, techniques, and research in veterinary emergency and critical care medicine through dedicated continuing education.
  • Perform humane euthanasia with the utmost compassion and provide grief support and resources for clients during difficult times.
  • Calculate and administer a wide range of medications, including Constant Rate Infusions (CRIs), and manage fluid therapy plans.
  • Manage cases involving shock, trauma, respiratory distress, toxicities, seizures, and other life-threatening conditions.
  • Educate clients on post-hospitalization care, medication administration, and follow-up recommendations to ensure successful patient recovery.
  • Uphold all hospital protocols, ethical standards, and legal requirements set forth by the state veterinary board and federal agencies.

Secondary Functions

  • Contribute to the analysis of hospital case logs and clinical metrics to identify trends and improve patient outcomes.
  • Contribute to the development and refinement of hospital-wide medical protocols, data strategies, and best practice guidelines.
  • Collaborate with hospital leadership and other departments to translate clinical needs into operational or engineering requirements.
  • Participate in team meetings, case rounds, and agile project planning ceremonies to enhance hospital efficiency and patient care.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Emergency Surgical Proficiency (e.g., GDV, foreign body, pyometra, wound reconstruction)
  • Advanced Triage and Patient Stabilization Techniques
  • Diagnostic Imaging Interpretation (Radiography, Point-of-Care Ultrasound - POCUS/AFAST/TFAST)
  • Critical Care Patient Management & Monitoring
  • Anesthesia and Multimodal Pain Management Protocols
  • Fluid Therapy, Transfusion Medicine, and CRIs
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (RECOVER certification highly preferred)
  • Proficiency with Veterinary Practice Management Software (e.g., ezyVet, Cornerstone)
  • Management of Polytrauma and Toxin Exposures
  • Knowledge of Exotic and Pocket Pet Emergencies

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Communication and Empathy with Distressed Clients
  • Strong Decision-Making and Clinical Judgment Under Pressure
  • Resilience, Composure, and Stress Management
  • Collaborative Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills
  • Adaptability and Flexibility in a Dynamic Environment
  • Leadership and Mentorship Abilities
  • Advanced Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
  • Superior Time Management and Multitasking
  • Compassion and Professionalism
  • Conflict Resolution and De-escalation

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), VMD, or equivalent degree from an AVMA-accredited university.
  • Must hold a current, unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in the applicable state, or be able to obtain one.
  • Current DEA license or eligibility.

Preferred Education:

  • Completion of a one-year small animal rotating internship in medicine and surgery.
  • Board certification or completion of a residency in Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Emergency and Critical Care Medicine

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3+ years of clinical experience. While internship-trained candidates are preferred, veterinarians with a strong background in high-volume general practice or urgent care with a passion for emergency medicine are encouraged to apply.

Preferred: 2+ years of experience working specifically as an emergency veterinarian in a 24-hour emergency and/or specialty referral hospital.

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