Emergency Veterinarian
Emergency Veterinarian
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Practise high-acuity ER medicine with specialist support around every shift
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Build your ER skills through complex cases, mentorship, and collaboration
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Enjoy advanced hospital medicine in a genuine West Coast lifestyle location
Practice emergency medicine in a progressive 24/7 ER and referral hospital, working through complex, high-acuity cases with boarded specialists, advanced diagnostics, skilled RVTs, and strong mentorship around you. Add the beaches, trails, food scene, and year-round outdoor lifestyle of Victoria, and this is a rare career move with clinical depth and genuine West Coast balance.
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-
Practise high-acuity ER medicine with specialist support around every shift
-
Build your ER skills through complex cases, mentorship, and collaboration
-
Enjoy advanced hospital medicine in a genuine West Coast lifestyle location
Practice emergency medicine in a progressive 24/7 ER and referral hospital, working through complex, high-acuity cases with boarded specialists, advanced diagnostics, skilled RVTs, and strong mentorship around you. Add the beaches, trails, food scene, and year-round outdoor lifestyle of Victoria, and this is a rare career move with clinical depth and genuine West Coast balance.
About us
West Coast Animal Veterinary Emergency Specialty Hospital, WAVES, is a 24/7 emergency and referral hospital serving Vancouver Island and surrounding communities from Victoria, British Columbia.
Since opening in 2019, WAVES has built a strong reputation for advanced patient care, collaborative medicine, and a high standard of support for referring family veterinarians across the region. Our hospital brings together emergency clinicians, boarded specialists, skilled RVTs, technicians, and client care professionals who work closely together around urgent, complex, and critically unwell patients.
Our team includes around 15 veterinarians, with boarded specialists across critical care, surgery, internal medicine, neurology, and interventional radiology and endoscopy. Medical leadership is provided by Dr. Jon Katzman, who brings broad emergency, referral, and international clinical experience, including Membership in Emergency and Critical Care, and a strong focus on complex case management and clear client communication.
WAVES is part of VetStrategy, leading veterinary provider in Canada, with an expansive network of clinics and hospitals coast-to-coast. That gives our team the advantage of local hospital culture, clinical connection, and community trust, supported by a wider organisation committed to professional development, collaboration, well-being, and high-quality veterinary care.
First of all, nobody wants to be at an emergency vet. But if you do, waves is the best. They showed the upmost compassion and care to my pup and myself during an absolutely awful time. They vet and all staff were amazing. They acted quickly, and explained all options clearly and concisely. I’d love to never be back, but I’m glad they’re here, helping all of our little pups – Jon G – Google Review
About this role
This is an opportunity to practise true emergency medicine in a progressive, well-equipped hospital where you will be surrounded by experienced clinicians and specialist support.
You will manage urgent and critical cases, work through a diverse and high-acuity caseload, and collaborate closely with ER colleagues, boarded specialists, RVTs, technicians, and support teams to deliver thoughtful, responsive care. The work is fast-paced, clinically stimulating, and deeply team-based, with the scope to keep learning from complex cases and the people around you.
The hospital is designed to support advanced medicine, with a 9,700 sq. ft. facility that includes MRI, in-house CT, digital radiography, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, endoscopy, dedicated ICU space, underwater treadmill therapy, and three fully equipped surgical suites.
This role would suit an experienced ER veterinarian who is ready for a strong specialty environment, or a GP veterinarian with the clinical curiosity, adaptability, and support-seeking mindset to transition into emergency medicine with mentorship around them.
About you
You are a calm, capable, and compassionate veterinarian who enjoys the challenge of emergency medicine and the teamwork it requires.
You communicate clearly with clients, especially during stressful moments, and you understand that excellent emergency care depends on both clinical judgement and trust. You enjoy working through complex presentations, value collaboration with specialists and nursing teams, and bring a steady, constructive presence to a fast-moving hospital environment.
You will thrive here if you bring:
- A genuine interest in emergency and critical care
- Strong communication skills with clients and colleagues
- A collaborative approach to case management
- The ability to think clearly and adapt in a fast-paced environment
- A commitment to high-quality medicine and patient care
- A positive, growth-focused attitude
- Eligibility for veterinary licensure in British Columbia
Our location
Victoria offers one of Canada’s most enviable lifestyle settings, with the ocean, city life, and outdoor adventure sitting comfortably side by side.
Located on the southern end of Vancouver Island, Victoria gives you access to beaches, coastal walks, hiking trails, paddleboarding, mountain biking, skiing access, a vibrant food scene, arts, culture, and a more relaxed West Coast pace. For someone who wants demanding, rewarding clinical work without giving up life outside the hospital, this is a compelling place to build your next chapter.
WAVES is based in the West Shore, giving you the benefit of providing advanced emergency and specialty medicine in a location known for fresh air, natural beauty, and year-round outdoor living.
Our offer
You will be supported with a competitive package and the resources to keep developing your career in emergency medicine.
The offer includes:
- Competitive compensation from $150,000 to $170,000, depending on experience
- Bonus potential
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
- RRSP contribution plan
- Generous continuing education allowance
- Strong continuing education support
- Professional liability coverage
- Membership dues
- VIN membership
- Discounts on veterinary services and pet supplies
- Mentorship and collaboration with boarded specialists
- Supportive team culture focused on growth, wellness, and quality medicine
If you are looking for a role where emergency medicine, specialist collaboration, clinical development, and West Coast living come together, we would welcome a conversation.
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