OPT Veterinarian Jobs
Veterinarian roles on OPT require a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and active state licensure, two hurdles that take time to clear. STEM OPT extension does not apply to this field, so your 12-month clock starts the day your employment begins. Most hiring happens through veterinary practices, animal hospitals, and university research programs.
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Bermuda Dunes, California, United States of America
Category
Veterinarian
Job Id
R-260902
Job Type
Full time
Join us as a Veterinarian at VCA Desert Dunes Animal Hospital and you’ll quickly discover that you’re well supported by world-class medicine, technology, facilities and a talented team. You’ll be empowered to do your best work with a team you can count on. At VCA, the future of veterinary medicine is in our hands.
Why join the team
- Work alongside a team of doctors and technicians who have longevity of employment at the hospital
- In-house laboratory with our qualified lab technicians who have been at VCA Desert Dunes for over 10 years, digital radiology suite, dental radiology, in-house ultrasound, telemedicine for radiography
- Hands-free radiology
- Spacious surgery suite, six exam rooms including a room for end-of-life services
- Beautiful employee lounge room and hospital wellness room is a great place where we can go in and do some yoga, meditation, exercise or just a quiet place to regroup
Schedule
- Full-Time, Part-Time
- Monday – Friday 7:30am – 6pm
Cases
- Dogs and cats
Who we look for
- People obsessed with pets and their care
- Dedicated experts who want to provide world-class medicine
- Collaborators who enjoy teaching others and working as a team
- Curious lifelong learners who want to grow and thrive for a dynamic and fulfilling career
- Empathetic partners who develop strong client and Associate relationships built on trust
Total Rewards
As a member of the VCA family, eligible full-time employees will be rewarded with a comprehensive package, including:
Compensation
- The annual salary range for this position is $80,000 to $180,000.
- Salary is negotiable based on experience, skills, knowledge, abilities and other relevant credentials.
- This position may also be eligible for other variable pay programs.
Health & Well-being
- Innovative Associate health and well-being department (Headspace app subscriptions, Fidelity financial wellness tool, and access to additional mental health resources)
- 401k retirement savings plan with company match
- Health/dental/vision insurance, infertility benefits, gender affirmation services
- Paid parental, vacation and sick leave
Professional Development
- Continuing Education Allowance and paid Continuing Education Days
- WOOF University – offering abundant CE for Doctors and the care team
- Opportunities to participate in a robust Clinical Studies program
Discover Additional Benefits Benefits | VCA (vcacareers.com)
Qualifications
- A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, from an accredited university or equivalent
- Licensure in good standing to practice in California, or the ability to obtain
- A commitment to practicing the highest standard of medicine and upholding the veterinary code of ethics
About VCA
VCA is a leader in veterinary care and is committed to taking care of the future of veterinary medicine. With a network of 1,000 animal hospitals, we impact pets, people and our communities by delivering world-class medicine with hometown care to over 4.5 million pets annually.
Trusted and empowered, our 35,000 Associates collaborate and unleash their unique power to achieve the best outcomes. With access to endless resources, we continuously learn and share knowledge to build fulfilling careers, push our profession forward and make a lasting impact on our shared future.
VCA is part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, working towards A Better World for Pets™. Learn more at www.vca.com or find us on social media.
Learn more about the hospital
If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.
Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!
The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com
Location
Bermuda Dunes, California, United States of America
Category
Veterinarian
Job Id
R-260902
Job Type
Full time
Join us as a Veterinarian at VCA Desert Dunes Animal Hospital and you’ll quickly discover that you’re well supported by world-class medicine, technology, facilities and a talented team. You’ll be empowered to do your best work with a team you can count on. At VCA, the future of veterinary medicine is in our hands.
Why join the team
- Work alongside a team of doctors and technicians who have longevity of employment at the hospital
- In-house laboratory with our qualified lab technicians who have been at VCA Desert Dunes for over 10 years, digital radiology suite, dental radiology, in-house ultrasound, telemedicine for radiography
- Hands-free radiology
- Spacious surgery suite, six exam rooms including a room for end-of-life services
- Beautiful employee lounge room and hospital wellness room is a great place where we can go in and do some yoga, meditation, exercise or just a quiet place to regroup
Schedule
- Full-Time, Part-Time
- Monday – Friday 7:30am – 6pm
Cases
- Dogs and cats
Who we look for
- People obsessed with pets and their care
- Dedicated experts who want to provide world-class medicine
- Collaborators who enjoy teaching others and working as a team
- Curious lifelong learners who want to grow and thrive for a dynamic and fulfilling career
- Empathetic partners who develop strong client and Associate relationships built on trust
Total Rewards
As a member of the VCA family, eligible full-time employees will be rewarded with a comprehensive package, including:
Compensation
- The annual salary range for this position is $80,000 to $180,000.
- Salary is negotiable based on experience, skills, knowledge, abilities and other relevant credentials.
- This position may also be eligible for other variable pay programs.
Health & Well-being
- Innovative Associate health and well-being department (Headspace app subscriptions, Fidelity financial wellness tool, and access to additional mental health resources)
- 401k retirement savings plan with company match
- Health/dental/vision insurance, infertility benefits, gender affirmation services
- Paid parental, vacation and sick leave
Professional Development
- Continuing Education Allowance and paid Continuing Education Days
- WOOF University – offering abundant CE for Doctors and the care team
- Opportunities to participate in a robust Clinical Studies program
Discover Additional Benefits Benefits | VCA (vcacareers.com)
Qualifications
- A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, from an accredited university or equivalent
- Licensure in good standing to practice in California, or the ability to obtain
- A commitment to practicing the highest standard of medicine and upholding the veterinary code of ethics
About VCA
VCA is a leader in veterinary care and is committed to taking care of the future of veterinary medicine. With a network of 1,000 animal hospitals, we impact pets, people and our communities by delivering world-class medicine with hometown care to over 4.5 million pets annually.
Trusted and empowered, our 35,000 Associates collaborate and unleash their unique power to achieve the best outcomes. With access to endless resources, we continuously learn and share knowledge to build fulfilling careers, push our profession forward and make a lasting impact on our shared future.
VCA is part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, working towards A Better World for Pets™. Learn more at www.vca.com or find us on social media.
Learn more about the hospital
If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.
Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!
The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development)
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com
See all 618+ OPT Veterinarian Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Veterinarian Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Veterinarian
Get your state license before you apply
Most employers won't extend an offer until you hold an active veterinary license for their state. Start the NAVLE and state board process as early as possible so your OPT authorization and licensure are ready at the same time.
Target employers familiar with OPT
Large veterinary groups like VCA, Banfield, and BluePearl have HR teams experienced with work authorization. Smaller independent practices often aren't, so prioritize corporate groups or university teaching hospitals when OPT sponsorship is a factor.
Frame H-1B sponsorship as a low-burden ask
Veterinarians qualify as specialty occupation workers under H-1B. Prepare a short, factual explanation of what sponsorship involves so employers understand the process isn't as complicated or expensive as they may assume.
Consider federal and research positions
USDA, FDA, and university research programs frequently hire veterinarians and have established processes for sponsoring work visas. Government and academic roles often offer more flexibility around visa timelines than private clinical practices do.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Credentialing, background checks, and state license verification add weeks to the veterinary hiring process. Beginning your job search three to four months before your OPT authorization begins gives you enough buffer to start on day one.
Veterinarian OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Veterinarian role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Veterinary Medicine (CIP code 60.0401) is not on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, so you are limited to the standard 12-month OPT period. If you want to continue working after that window closes, your employer will need to sponsor you for an H-1B or another visa category before your OPT expires.
Do I need a state veterinary license to work on OPT as a Veterinarian?
Yes. Every state requires a valid veterinary license to practice, regardless of your immigration status. You'll need to pass the NAVLE and meet your state board's requirements before you can legally see patients. Most employers will not finalize an offer until licensure is confirmed, so begin the process well before your OPT start date.
Can I work at multiple veterinary practices simultaneously on OPT?
OPT allows concurrent employment, meaning you can hold more than one position at the same time, but each job must be directly related to your degree field and must meet the minimum 20-hours-per-week requirement in aggregate. You must report all employers to your DSO, who will update your SEVIS record accordingly. Keep your documentation current for each position.
What visa options exist after my Veterinarian OPT ends?
The most common path is H-1B, which requires employer sponsorship and entry in the annual lottery held each March. Veterinarians also qualify for the J-1 exchange visitor visa through programs like ECFVG, and those with exceptional credentials may pursue an O-1A. Federal or research employers sometimes offer EB-1 or NIW green card pathways for veterinarians doing specialized public health work.
Where can I find Veterinarian jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers, so you can browse Veterinarian roles where employers have confirmed they are open to candidates who need work authorization support. Filtering by OPT eligibility on Migrate Mate saves you from applying to positions where your visa status will immediately disqualify you.