HVHQSN Surgeon

WHO WE ARE

For over a century, Associated Humane Societies has provided compassionate care and shelter to animals in need. As the largest animal welfare organization in New Jersey, we are committed to expanding access to veterinary care for underserved communities. Our mission includes developing sustainable, high-quality, and accessible medical programs that improve both animal welfare and public health.

TALENT + CULTURE AT AHS
At AHS, we strive to create an environment where both people and animals feel safe, supported, and valued. We recognize that access to veterinary care is a critical equity issue and are committed to building programs that reduce barriers for underserved populations. Our team values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement in a challenging but deeply rewarding field.

WHO WE NEED
AHS is seeking a highly motivated, strategic, and operationally driven veterinarian or veterinary leader to develop and implement a High-Volume High-Quality (HVHQ) surgical program serving low-income communities.
This individual will be responsible for designing, building, and operationalizing a scalable, efficient, and financially sustainable spay/neuter and surgical services program. The role will require expertise in shelter medicine, HVHQ workflows, anesthesia protocols, and program development, as well as the ability to translate clinical excellence into high-efficiency systems.

The Director will work closely with leadership to establish a program that maximizes access, safety, quality, and throughput, while maintaining the highest standards of patient care.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO DO
Program Development & Implementation
Design and launch a HVHQ surgical program tailored to a low-income, high-need population.
Develop operational workflows to support high-efficiency surgical throughput without compromising quality of care.
Assess and optimize facility layout, equipment needs, and surgical flow (intake ? prep ? surgery ? recovery ? discharge).

Medical Protocol & SOP Development
Develop and implement comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for:

Pre-operative assessment and patient selection
Anesthesia protocols (dogs, cats, kittens, puppies)
Intraoperative monitoring and surgical standards
Post-operative recovery and discharge criteria
Pain management and analgesia protocols

Ensure protocols reflect current best practices in HVHQ and shelter medicine.
Standardize care to ensure consistency, safety, and efficiency across providers and staff.

Operations & Capacity Planning
Determine daily surgical capacity targets based on:

Staffing models
Facility constraints
Case complexity

Develop scheduling systems to optimize:

Case flow
Staff utilization
Patient throughput

Financial Modeling & Program Sustainability
Develop pricing models for low-income clients, including:

Pricing packages
Collaborate with leadership to ensure financial sustainability while maintaining accessibility.

Facility & Equipment Planning
Identify and procure necessary:

Surgical equipment
Anesthesia machines and monitoring tools
Recovery and housing infrastructure

Design workflow-optimized spaces for:

Intake and triage
Surgical prep
Operating suite
Post-operative recovery

Medical Planning
Draft SOP frameworks for:

Pre-op intake & patient selection
Anesthesia protocols (species + age-based)
Surgical standards
Post-op recovery & discharge
Analgesia protocols

Quality Assurance & Risk Management
Establish metrics to monitor:

Surgical outcomes
Infection rates
Complications
Implement continuous quality improvement processes.

Ensure compliance with:

State veterinary regulations
DEA and controlled substance requirements
Animal welfare standards

Training & Team Development
Train veterinary staff and technicians in:

HVHQ surgical techniques
Efficient anesthesia protocols
Patient safety and monitoring

Foster a culture of:

Collaboration
Psychological safety
Continuous learning

Perform other duties as assigned by leadership

WHAT YOU NEED
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) from an accredited institution
Valid veterinary license in New Jersey (or ability to obtain)
3–7+ years of experience in:

Shelter medicine OR
High-volume spay/neuter programs

Demonstrated experience with:

HVHQ surgical protocols

Anesthesia management across species and age groups
Strong operational and organizational skills
Experience developing SOPs and clinical protocols
Ability to analyze workflow, efficiency, and capacity
Strong communication and leadership skills
Ability to work collaboratively across teams and departments
Passion for increasing access to veterinary care

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience launching or managing a HVHQ clinic
Experience in low-cost or nonprofit veterinary care models
Background in program development or healthcare operations
Experience with budgeting and financial modeling
Employment Type: Full Time
Salary: $155,000 - $165,000 Annual
Bonus/Commission: No