Staff Veterinarian - Surgical

The Arizona Animal Welfare League, the largest and oldest no-kill shelter in Arizona – is seeking a full-time Shelter Veterinarian. AAWL’s mission is to provide high-quality care for their patients from public intakes, rural rescue, and other partner organizations. he Staff Veterinarian – Surgery provides high-quality, high-volume surgical and medical care for shelter animals within AAWL’s veterinary program. This role is responsible for performing spay/neuter, soft tissue, urgent, and other surgical procedures based on experience and organizational needs, while supporting the overall medical care and population health of shelter animals.

The Staff Veterinarian – Surgery works collaboratively with veterinary technicians, animal care staff, other veterinarians, and organizational leadership to provide efficient, compassionate, and high-quality patient care. This position will also support the continued development of AAWL’s surgical capabilities and may contribute to the future expansion of community veterinary services.

Supervision

*Key Responsibilities*

*Surgical Care*

* Perform high-volume spay/neuter surgeries for shelter animals.
* Perform soft tissue and other surgical procedures based on experience and organizational needs, including amputations, mass removals, cystotomies, abdominal exploratory surgeries, and enucleations.
* Perform urgent and emergency surgical procedures as needed.
* Perform dental procedures and/or develop additional dental skills as appropriate.
* Provide appropriate post-operative care and follow-up for surgical patients.
* Recognize, evaluate, and appropriately manage surgical complications.
* Maintain high standards of surgical safety, patient care, and surgical efficiency.

*Medical & Shelter Care*

* Perform physical examinations, diagnostics, and develop treatment plans for shelter animals as part of a balanced clinical caseload.
* Provide medical care for animals experiencing illness, injury, infectious disease, or other medical conditions.
* Support shelter population management and infectious disease prevention and treatment.
* Assist with shelter case management when the primary shelter veterinarian is unavailable.
* Provide clinical guidance regarding escalated medical cases through the shared on-call rotation.
* Promote humane treatment and compassionate care for all animals, regardless of condition or temperament.

*Diagnostics & Clinical Oversight*

* Interpret laboratory results, radiographs, and other diagnostic tools to guide medical and surgical decisions.
* Develop and implement appropriate treatment and surgical plans.
* Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant medical recordkeeping*.*
* Establish and follow medical and surgical protocols in alignment with AAWL standards and veterinary best practices.
* Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including the veterinary practice act.

*Population Health & Shelter Medicine*

* Support population-level health strategies, including disease prevention, treatment, and outbreak management.
* Monitor the health of the shelter population and make recommendations to improve outcomes and reduce length of stay.
* Collaborate with shelter and medical teams to ensure appropriate care for animals with medical or behavioral needs.
* Assist with population management decisions when medical or surgical intervention is required.

*Team Collaboration & Mentorship*

* Provide clinical guidance and direction to veterinary technicians and assistants during procedures and patient care.
* Mentor veterinary fellows, interns, externs, and other learners.
* Support training and development of medical staff by sharing knowledge and reinforcing best practices.
* Collaborate with other veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal care staff, clinic leadership, and cross-functional teams to support efficient operations and quality patient care.
* Foster a respectful, collaborative, and mission-aligned work environment.

*Community & Program Development*

* Participate in community vaccine or wellness clinics as needed.
* Support the development of future community spay/neuter services as organizational capacity allows.
* Assist in exploring a phased approach to community surgical services, which may include TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and future low-cost public spay/neuter services.
* Contribute ideas and expertise toward the continued development of AAWL’s surgical and veterinary programs.
* Support AAWL’s mission and core values of collaboration, integrity, empathy, and innovation.

*COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:*

* Pay starts at $140,000 - $175,000 per hour.
* Generous PTO, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays annually.
* 100% employer-paid medical and life insurance; dental, vision, and supplemental options available.
* Employer-supported professional development.
* Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

*Other benefits include: *

* Arizona Veterinary Medical and DEA license fees paid.
* American Veterinary Medical Association, Association of Shelter Veterinarians, Arizona Veterinary Medical Association and Veterinary Information Network membership fees paid.
* Liability and malpractice insurance paid (AVMA PLIT).
* Generous paid 3-week vacation/sick time off, and 12 paid holidays per year
* $2,000 C.E. allowance and paid professional development opportunities to attend veterinary conferences (negotiable).
* Qualified Employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

*TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION: *

Please submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, including their email, phone and relationship, to: Practice Manager Megan McWherter at: View email address on easyhiring.pro.

Please reference “Staff Veterinarian” in your email. No phone calls or walk-ins.

Pay: $140,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year

Benefits:
* Dental insurance
* Employee assistance program
* Health insurance
* Life insurance
* Paid time off
* Professional development assistance
* Vision insurance

Work Location: In person