Emergency Veterinarian

About the Role

Calgary Animal Referral & Emergency Centre (CARE) is looking for a full-time Emergency Veterinarian to join the team for the summer, with the potential to transition to a permanent position in the fall. You'll be part of a collegial, team-based practice that genuinely values professional development, excellent client care, and work-life balance—not just in mission statements, but in how they actually operate.

Working in a full-service emergency and referral hospital means you'll encounter a diverse and challenging caseload that keeps you sharp and engaged. Your emergency cases will be managed closely with the hospital's specialty services, giving you access to real-time consultation and collaborative decision-making. You'll have the chance to mentor UCVM students and interns, contribute to in-house continuing education, and take on leadership roles or committee positions if you're interested. All of this is backed by state-of-the-art on-site diagnostics: digital radiography, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, in-house lab, endoscopy, CT, and MRI.

Schedule: All emergency veterinarians rotate equally through day, evening, and night shifts, regardless of tenure—no seniority games, just fair and consistent scheduling.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide emergency and critical care to companion animals presenting with acute medical and surgical conditions
• Perform soft tissue surgical procedures and manage preventative care protocols
• Offer nutritional advice and educate pet parents on post-emergency care
• Collaborate with specialty service teams to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans
• Mentor interns and veterinary students, supporting their clinical development
• Participate in in-house continuing education events and professional development opportunities
• Contribute to a team-based medicine culture with strong communication and professional relationships

Requirements

• Valid veterinarian licence allowing practice in Canada
• Experience in soft tissue surgical procedures, preventative care, and nutritional advice
• Commitment to team-based medicine practices
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with colleagues, clients, and the community
• Passion for coaching and mentoring students
• Interest in attending conferences and professional networking
• Genuine love for working with companion animals

Benefits

• RRSP 5% Employer Group Match Program
• VCA Canada RRSP Student Loan Program (details available upon inquiry)
• VCA Academy Mentorship Program—a six-month tailored mentorship with ongoing support
• Medical Library Access with 2,000+ journals, 600+ textbooks, and research resources
• Continuing education benefits
• Licensing, membership dues, and conference fees covered
• Referral bonus rewards
• Paid wellness days, paid sick days, paid vacation time
• Employee Assistance Program
• Digital wellness tools for meditation, sleep, exercise, and focus
• Virtual healthcare access
• Professional liability insurance coverage
• Community giveback opportunities through VCA Canada initiatives
• Career and leadership advancement opportunities

About the Practice

Calgary Animal Referral & Emergency Centre is part of VCA Canada, a network of veterinary hospitals headquartered in Calgary and committed to positively impacting pets, people, and local communities for nearly 45 years. VCA Canada became part of the Mars Veterinary Health family in 2017, strengthening the commitment to the veterinary profession and pet parents across the country. The practice is known for its legacy of excellence and delivers the highest standard of medicine across emergency and specialty services.

CARE operates as a full-service emergency and referral hospital with a diverse team and comprehensive on-site diagnostic capabilities. VCA Canada employs over 4,000 Canadians and has been recognized as one of Alberta's Top Employers (2026, third consecutive year) and one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2026), reflecting the organization's commitment to exceptional workplace culture and career development. The practice is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workplace.