Lead Veterinarian

ASPCA; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The ASPCA’s Community Medicine team seeks a veterinary leader to help deliver core CM objectives: run a high-functioning team, ensure high-quality, low-stress patient care, and provide outstanding client experiences across our Los Angeles clinics.

You will work as a CM veterinarian when needed—performing spay/neuter surgeries and PPC care—while coaching others to excel in a fast-paced, compassionate environment.

Qualifications

• Current California State Veterinary License.
• Demonstrate true leadership abilities in challenging situations.
• Maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols.
• Possess ability to work in high-volume, fast-paced clinic environment.
• Excellent work attendance record.
• Fear Free Shelter certification is required within 60 days of hire.
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an AVMA accredited veterinary college.
• Minimum one year of experience in high quality, high volume spay/neuter.

Responsibilities

• Oversee medicine and surgery per CM SOPs and guidelines.
• Train veterinarians in HQHVSN techniques and other medical protocols.
• Be on the floor providing support, feedback, and guidance.
• Support a positive work culture with regular coaching, evaluations and feedback.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to hire staff and per diem veterinarians and onboard new members.
• Ensure compliant handling and low-stress care for patients.

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Communication

Attendance

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

California State Veterinary License

Tools

Fear Free Shelter certification

Job description

Who we are:

Have you ever wondered what happens to cats and dogs whose owners are unable to afford veterinary care? We did. The ASPCA’s Community Medicine (CM) team provides expert veterinary care to support the welfare of animals and their people through our stationary and mobile veterinary clinics, serving the most underserved communities in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. We help pet owners overcome barriers to care, bringing quality services directly to the communities that need us most and partially or fully subsidizing the cost of basic and preventive care. CM treats people and pets with dignity and respect, assisting pet owners in making informed decisions about their pets’ health and wellbeing regardless of their financial circumstances. When you come to work at the ASPCA, you join a team of over 1,000 dedicated colleagues with deep knowledge, skills, and passion for the animals we serve.

What you’ll do:

Support new and experienced veterinarians in reaching their potential, where animal well-being, teamwork and serving the community are at the core of our work. As a member of the management team, you will help deliver key CM objectives: lead a happy, high-functioning team, ensure every patient receives the highest-quality care with minimal fear and stress, and deliver outstanding client experiences to maximize the ASPCA’s impact in the community. As both a player and a coach, you will work as a CM veterinarian as needed – seeing appointments, treating cats and dogs in our Primary Pet Care (PPC) program or performing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) for shelter/rescue animals and beloved pets.

What you’ll get:

Compensation

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.

The target hiring range for this role is $169,500 - $179,500 annually

Work Schedule and Location:

This is typically a Monday – Friday, 8 hour schedule with flexibility to work occasionally beyond the scheduled work day. This is an on-site position at the ASPCA’s mobile and stationary clinics throughout the Greater LA Area.

Reporting Structure:

You will report to the Program Director (solid line) for all nonmedical job functions and to the Medical Director (dotted line) for all duties related to veterinary medicine.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Oversee and monitor medicine and surgery provided at the ASPCA’s veterinary clinics according to CM’s standard operating procedures and guidelines
• Train veterinarians in high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) techniques and other medical protocols (the ASPCA’s Learning & Development team provides “train the trainer” workshops to develop facilitation skills)
• Be a consistent and visible presence on the floor to answer questions, make timely adjustments, offer support, receive/give feedback, lend a hand, and foster understanding and commitment to ASPCA’s mission
• Support a positive work culture of respect, belonging and teamwork through regular 1:1s, recognition, supervision, developmental coaching, performance evaluation and feedback
• Partner with colleagues to achieve or exceed the ASPCA’s impact goals
• Partner with the ASPCA’s Talent Acquisition Team to hire staff and per diem veterinarians; onboard new team members
• Ensure that all team members have received training and mastered the skills to handle patients in a low stress manner, and that they implement these handling techniques consistently
• Instill the guiding principle that everyone can – and should – actively support the animals’ behavioral and mental health in everything they do
• Teach veterinarians about their role in the ASPCA’s commitment to improving access to care for all animals
• Coach veterinarians and others to communicate effectively with clients, including difficult end-of-life conversations
• In coordination with the management team (Medical and Client Operations Managers) and under the guidance of the Program Director, deliver cohesive messaging and address root causes of location problems and deliver corrective action plans as needed
• Guide direct reports to write and fulfill annual goals which encourage teamwork and challenge them to grow professionally
• Write, schedule and conduct annual performance reviews
• Deliver disciplinary actions and follow up coaching as needed; seek counsel with your director and/or People Partner as needed
• Prioritize safety and security in the clinic; report safety related incidents and ensure that all incident and supervisor reports are completed promptly

Medical

• Perform pre-surgery physical examinations on all surgical candidates; perform approximately 25-40 high quality, high volume spay/neuter surgical procedures per spay/neuter clinic day
• Provide compassionate, quality preventive and basic care to patients, overseeing all aspects of veterinary care during a clinic day including physical examination, diagnostics, treatment recommendations and delivery, prescribing of medications and discharge information
• Work side by side with staff veterinarians as a PPC doctor or HQHVSN surgeon treating cats and dogs as both a scheduled shift and fill-in coverage as needed
• Diagnose and treat post-surgical complications on an outpatient basis
• Triage and refer cases that do not fall within the Community Medicine parameters of care as appropriate
• Support internal ASPCA departments, such as Relocation and LA Feline Programs, with medical consultations and support as needed
• Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques

Administrative

• Schedule CM staff veterinarians and per diems for optimal coverage
• Meet regularly with the Medical Director; provide open and honest and communication and feedback when things aren’t working as they should
• Participate in monthly CM Veterinary Medicine Rounds and Morbidity and Mortality Meetings with the Vice President of Medicine; present on interesting cases or current topics in veterinary medicine as needed
• Support the ASPCA’s commitment to research and development to benefit animals across the country by participating in studies designed to improve access to care as needed
• Attend workshops or meetings as needed

Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
• Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
• Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
• Focuses on Impact , specifically making change for animals

Qualifications:

• Current California State Veterinary License
• Demonstrate true leadership abilities in challenging situations
• Maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols
• Possess ability to work in high-volume, fast-paced clinic environment
• Excellent work attendance record
• Fear Free ® Shelter certification is required within 60 days of hire

Education and Work Experience:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (or equivalent) from an AVMA accredited veterinary college
• Minimum one year of experience in high quality, high volume spay/neuter
• Minimum three years veterinary experience in small animal medicine and surgery

Language:

English (Required)

Summary:

Who we are: Have you ever wondered what happens to cats and dogs whose owners are unable to afford veterinary care? We did. The ASPCA’s Community Medicine (CM) team provides expert veterinary care to support the welfare of animals and their people through our stationary and mobile veterinary clinics, serving the most underserved communities in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. We help pet owners overcome barriers to care, bringing quality services directly to the communities that need us most and partially or fully subsidizing the cost of basic and preventive care. CM treats people and pets with dignity and respect, assisting pet owners in making informed decisions about their pets’ health and wellbeing regardless of their financial circumstances. When you come to work at the ASPCA, you join a team of over 1,000 dedicated colleagues with deep knowledge, skills, and passion for the animals we serve.