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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As a veterinarian at Heartland Veterinary Partners, you will provide quality care to patients and empathetic service to clients. You will partner with other veterinarians, technicians, and client service representatives to operate as an efficient and productive team.
Success in this role takes a collaborative mindset while operating as an independent branch of Heartland. This is an opportunity to expand your skillset while using your excellent communication and interpersonal skills and passion for patient care to build a productive and rewarding career.
When you join us, you will make a real difference in the lives of our patients and clients. You will also become a valued member of our team and contribute to the success of our practice.
Position Purpose:
Part-Time, Experienced Associate DVM – Urgent Care
West Lafayette Veterinary Care is a modern, fully equipped hospital dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care for pets and peace of mind for their families. Our facility is designed to handle both general practice needs and urgent care cases, ensuring our patients receive timely and thorough treatment when they need it most. With advanced diagnostics, surgical capabilities, and a commitment to client education, we’ve built a reputation for excellence in the community. Our team is made up of passionate, skilled professionals who truly love what they do. We believe in supporting one another, sharing knowledge, and working collaboratively to give every patient the best possible outcome. You’ll be joining a group that values strong communication, a positive work environment, and a shared dedication to patient care—even on the busiest days. Located in the vibrant city of West Lafayette, our hospital is surrounded by the energy of a college town combined with the warmth of a close-knit community. Home to Purdue University, the area offers cultural events, sports, beautiful parks, and a variety of dining options. With a low cost of living and plenty of Midwestern charm, West Lafayette is a wonderful place to work and live. If you’re an experienced veterinarian who thrives in a fast-paced urgent care setting and wants to make a difference in your community, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today and join our team at West Lafayette Veterinary Care—where your skills matter, your team supports you, and your community needs you.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Examine and treat companion animals to detect and determine the nature of disease or injuries.
- Operate diagnostic equipment and collect diagnostic samples as well as interpret results.
- Advise pet owners on preventative care and treatment options.
- Perform surgery and prescribe medication as needed.
- Provide counsel around pet end of life care.
- Maintain patients’ medical records.
- Ensures compliance with veterinary ethics and relevant statutes, policies, and procedures.
Requirements/Qualifications:
- DVM/VMD degree from an accredited AVMA institution.
- Appropriate state licensure.
- Eligibility to obtain DEA/BNDD.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrates professional and courteous presentation consistently with staff and clients.
- Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance.
Benefits Offered:
- Unlimited personal time off (PTO)
- Bonus incentives
- Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
- Retirement benefits (401(k) or Roth(k) with match)
- CE and licensure reimbursement
- Flexible work schedules
- Managing career path development
- DVM Referral Program
- Mental Health Resources
- Relocation assistance available
Pay Range:
USD $90,000.00 - USD $110,000.00 /Yr.
Culture
At Heartland Veterinary Partners, we believe that prioritizing care for veterinarians enables them to prioritize care for their patients. We offer several benefits and support programs to help veterinarians succeed, including:
Mentorship
We provide access to experienced mentors who can help our partners hone their craft and develop their skills, regardless of where they are in their career journey.
Choose Your Setting
We have practices in many states across the country with diverse settings and focuses, so our veterinarians can choose the environment that is best for them.
Work-Life Balance
We understand that our veterinarians have lives outside of the practice, and we are committed to helping them achieve balance.
Authentic Autonomy
Each practice is led locally, and we empower our teams to make all the clinical and inventory decisions to best meet the needs of the community they serve.
Support When it Matters Most
We support our veterinarians at every stage of their careers, from new graduates to experienced practitioners.
Career Path
New Graduate
This is your first veterinary role after school. You’re getting your feet wet and putting that education to work gaining the experience you need to become the vet you know you can be.
Clinically Confident
You’ve been here a while and have your feet under you. You still have plenty of learning and growing to do, but you’re well on your way.
Learning to Lead
Thanks to your experience and dedication, you’ve earned the trust and respect of your community and established yourself as an example for other vets to follow.
“I love working at a Heartland-owned practice. They let us be ourselves with the support of a corporation. My relationship with our regional director is genuine and supportive. It’s obvious anytime company leadership addresses the practices that they genuinely care about our wellbeing and make decisions with our best interests in mind. We are extremely lucky to work for a company this down to earth.”
- Dr. Alexandra Carter, Managing DVM
Rewards
- Generous Vacation Time
- Comprehensive Health and Wellness Benefits
- Flexible Scheduling
- 401(k) and Roth(k) with match
- Continuing Education and Training Opportunities
- Relocation Assistance
Overview
As a veterinarian at Heartland Veterinary Partners, you will provide quality care to patients and empathetic service to clients. You will partner with other veterinarians, technicians, and client service representatives to operate as an efficient and productive team.
Success in this role takes a collaborative mindset while operating as an independent branch of Heartland. This is an opportunity to expand your skillset while using your excellent communication and interpersonal skills and passion for patient care to build a productive and rewarding career.
When you join us, you will make a real difference in the lives of our patients and clients. You will also become a valued member of our team and contribute to the success of our practice.
Position Purpose:
Part-Time, Experienced Associate DVM – Urgent Care
West Lafayette Veterinary Care is a modern, fully equipped hospital dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care for pets and peace of mind for their families. Our facility is designed to handle both general practice needs and urgent care cases, ensuring our patients receive timely and thorough treatment when they need it most. With advanced diagnostics, surgical capabilities, and a commitment to client education, we’ve built a reputation for excellence in the community. Our team is made up of passionate, skilled professionals who truly love what they do. We believe in supporting one another, sharing knowledge, and working collaboratively to give every patient the best possible outcome. You’ll be joining a group that values strong communication, a positive work environment, and a shared dedication to patient care—even on the busiest days. Located in the vibrant city of West Lafayette, our hospital is surrounded by the energy of a college town combined with the warmth of a close-knit community. Home to Purdue University, the area offers cultural events, sports, beautiful parks, and a variety of dining options. With a low cost of living and plenty of Midwestern charm, West Lafayette is a wonderful place to work and live. If you’re an experienced veterinarian who thrives in a fast-paced urgent care setting and wants to make a difference in your community, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today and join our team at West Lafayette Veterinary Care—where your skills matter, your team supports you, and your community needs you.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Examine and treat companion animals to detect and determine the nature of disease or injuries.
- Operate diagnostic equipment and collect diagnostic samples as well as interpret results.
- Advise pet owners on preventative care and treatment options.
- Perform surgery and prescribe medication as needed.
- Provide counsel around pet end of life care.
- Maintain patients’ medical records.
- Ensures compliance with veterinary ethics and relevant statutes, policies, and procedures.
Requirements/Qualifications:
- DVM/VMD degree from an accredited AVMA institution.
- Appropriate state licensure.
- Eligibility to obtain DEA/BNDD.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrates professional and courteous presentation consistently with staff and clients.
- Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance.
Benefits Offered:
- Unlimited personal time off (PTO)
- Bonus incentives
- Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
- Retirement benefits (401(k) or Roth(k) with match)
- CE and licensure reimbursement
- Flexible work schedules
- Managing career path development
- DVM Referral Program
- Mental Health Resources
- Relocation assistance available
Pay Range:
USD $90,000.00 - USD $110,000.00 /Yr.
Culture
At Heartland Veterinary Partners, we believe that prioritizing care for veterinarians enables them to prioritize care for their patients. We offer several benefits and support programs to help veterinarians succeed, including:
Mentorship
We provide access to experienced mentors who can help our partners hone their craft and develop their skills, regardless of where they are in their career journey.
Choose Your Setting
We have practices in many states across the country with diverse settings and focuses, so our veterinarians can choose the environment that is best for them.
Work-Life Balance
We understand that our veterinarians have lives outside of the practice, and we are committed to helping them achieve balance.
Authentic Autonomy
Each practice is led locally, and we empower our teams to make all the clinical and inventory decisions to best meet the needs of the community they serve.
Support When it Matters Most
We support our veterinarians at every stage of their careers, from new graduates to experienced practitioners.
Career Path
New Graduate
This is your first veterinary role after school. You’re getting your feet wet and putting that education to work gaining the experience you need to become the vet you know you can be.
Clinically Confident
You’ve been here a while and have your feet under you. You still have plenty of learning and growing to do, but you’re well on your way.
Learning to Lead
Thanks to your experience and dedication, you’ve earned the trust and respect of your community and established yourself as an example for other vets to follow.
“I love working at a Heartland-owned practice. They let us be ourselves with the support of a corporation. My relationship with our regional director is genuine and supportive. It’s obvious anytime company leadership addresses the practices that they genuinely care about our wellbeing and make decisions with our best interests in mind. We are extremely lucky to work for a company this down to earth.”
- Dr. Alexandra Carter, Managing DVM
Rewards
- Generous Vacation Time
- Comprehensive Health and Wellness Benefits
- Flexible Scheduling
- 401(k) and Roth(k) with match
- Continuing Education and Training Opportunities
- Relocation Assistance
See all 750+ 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.