Lead Veterinarian, Teacher/ Program Leader
A well-established animal health organization is seeking an experienced veterinarian to lead a nationally recognized surgical education program focused on high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter techniques. This individual will be responsible for the strategic direction, day-to-day management, and continued growth of the training program while serving as a primary surgical instructor for licensed veterinarians.
The successful candidate will oversee clinical operations, mentor veterinary professionals, and provide hands-on surgical training in a fast-paced educational environment. This position is fully onsite and requires flexibility to accommodate occasional adjustments in training and surgical schedules.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a team of veterinary professionals delivering advanced spay/neuter and surgical training programs while maintaining exceptional standards of patient care and clinic operations.
- Direct program development efforts, including curriculum design, training initiatives, operational planning, and continuous improvement activities.
- Serve as a primary instructor for licensed veterinarians participating in continuing education programs focused on sterilization procedures and surgical best practices.
- Provide oversight of patient care throughout the perioperative process, including preoperative evaluation, anesthesia, surgery, recovery, and post-operative management.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with animal shelters, rescue organizations, humane societies, and other community animal welfare groups.
- Mentor and develop veterinary and support staff through training, coaching, and performance feedback.
- Ensure adherence to established medical, surgical, and safety protocols.
Surgical Training Areas
Preoperative Management
- Patient assessment and candidate selection for routine sterilization procedures.
- Identification and management of higher-risk surgical patients.
- Anesthesia and analgesia protocols, monitoring, and patient safety.
- Surgical preparation and operating room workflow.
- Surgical team coordination and efficiency.
Surgical Techniques
- Anatomy and surgical principles relevant to sterilization procedures.
- High-quality, high-volume surgical methods and workflow optimization.
- Surgical instrument utilization and pack standardization.
- Tissue handling, ligation techniques, incision planning, and closure methods.
- Sterile technique maintenance in high-volume settings.
- Ergonomics, surgeon efficiency, and injury prevention.
Postoperative Care
- Recognition and management of surgical complications.
- Pain management strategies.
- Recovery monitoring and patient support.
Community Cat Programs
- Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) methodologies.
- Humane trapping practices.
- Postoperative care and release considerations.
Qualifications
Required
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or equivalent) with an active veterinary license, or eligibility for licensure in the state of employment.
- DEA registration or willingness to obtain one, as required.
- Demonstrated expertise in high-volume spay/neuter surgery.
- Proven leadership experience within a veterinary clinical environment.
- Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, hands-on surgical setting.
- Ability to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive surgical procedures throughout the day.
- Ability to safely handle and lift animal patients, with assistance when appropriate.
Preferred
- Significant shelter medicine experience is strongly preferred. Candidates with experience working in animal shelters, municipal shelters, humane societies, rescue organizations, or high-volume community medicine programs will be highly regarded.
- Experience teaching, mentoring, or providing clinical instruction to veterinarians or veterinary students.
- Familiarity with spectrum-of-care veterinary medicine principles.
- Experience developing educational programs, surgical curricula, or professional training initiatives.
- Demonstrated success building collaborative relationships with animal welfare organizations and community partners.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a skilled surgeon, educator, and leader who is passionate about expanding access to high-quality spay/neuter services while advancing veterinary education. Candidates with a strong background in shelter medicine and high-volume surgical practice will be particularly attractive for this opportunity.
