New ER Doctor (NERD) Program — Practicing Veterinarians

Job overview

The New ER Doctor (NERD) Program is an onsite, full-time training opportunity in Pikesville, MD, starting January 2027. Compensation is listed as a $140,000 first-year minimum guarantee plus production and bonuses. Veterinary Emergency Group’s program prepares practicing non-emergency veterinarians to transition into emergency veterinary practice. Over six months, participants gain emergency-room experience through mentorship, hospital shifts, case discussions, literature reviews, and hands-on training. The program develops clinical skills in emergency care, surgery, endoscopy, exotics, and critical care, with successful graduates guaranteed a VEG emergency-doctor placement at a hospital location chosen by the company.

What you'll do

• Participate in a six-month immersive emergency veterinary medicine program
• work 3–4 hospital shifts per week across days, swings, and nights
• learn with experienced VEG doctors through guidance and one-to-one feedback
• attend weekly case discussions and literature reviews
• complete hands-on training and continuing education. Nights, weekends, and holidays are required on a rotating or as-needed basis
• relocation may be required.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

veterinarian

emergency veterinary medicine

new er doctor program

nerd program

pikesville md

veterinary emergency group

mentorship

emergency surgery

endoscopy

exotics

critical care

$140k first-year minimum

rotating nights

weekends and holidays

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Competitive compensation with a $140,000 first-year minimum guarantee plus production and bonuses
• more than 160 RACE-approved CE hours
• travel stipend
• equity ownership
• student loan repayment
• free exams and 50% off VEG treatments
• pet bereavement leave
• paid parental leave
• flexible schedules
• referral rewards.

Why this role

The program includes more than 160 RACE-approved continuing education hours, individualized mentorship, and a guaranteed emergency-doctor placement at a VEG hospital after successful completion and meeting program benchmarks. Listed benefits include equity ownership, student loan repayment, paid parental leave, and flexible schedules.

About the employer

Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) is hiring for this role. Industry: Veterinary Services. Sector: 54.