Relief Veterinarian

Dorchester Paws; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Part time

Job summary

Dorchester Paws in Charleston, SC seeks an experienced Relief Veterinarian for 2–3 days per week. The contractor provides high-quality surgical and medical support, focusing on spay/neuter procedures for shelter dogs and cats, and collaborates with the medical team to evaluate ill or injured animals and develop practical treatment plans.

The role requires SC licensure, DEA registration, and liability insurance, with shelter medicine or high-volume spay/neuter experience.

Qualifications

• DVM or VMD degree from an accredited school.
• Current South Carolina veterinary license in good standing.
• Current DEA registration and applicable credentials.
• Professional liability insurance for independent contractor work.
• Proven experience in high-volume spay/neuter, anesthesia, and pain management.
• Shelter medicine or community medicine experience preferred.
• Strong clinical judgment, clear communication, and thorough documentation.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter procedures for shelter dogs and cats.
• Direct anesthetic, analgesic, and perioperative plans with veterinary oversight.
• Examine animals, develop practical shelter-appropriate treatment plans, and prescribe care.
• Communicate urgent findings and follow-up needs to the medical team.
• Maintain accurate surgical and medical records; ensure safety and compliance.

Skills

Spay/neuter surgery

Anesthesia management

Pain management

Canine & feline surgery

Medical decision-making

Clinical documentation

Team collaboration

Communication

Postoperative care

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or VMD

Job description

Status: Independent Contractor; 2-3 days per week, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Relief Veterinarian provides high-quality surgical and medical support for animals in the care of

Dorchester Paws. Working two to three scheduled days per week, this contract veterinarian primarily

performs spay/neuter surgery and collaborates with the medical team to evaluate ill or injured animals,

establish practical treatment plans, and promote humane, timely outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Spay/Neuter Surgery

• Perform high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter procedures for shelter-owned dogs and cats in accordance with accepted veterinary standards and Dorchester Paws protocols.
• Complete pre-operative examinations and determine each animal's fitness for anesthesia and surgery.
• Direct appropriate anesthetic, analgesic, and perioperative plans and provide veterinary oversight during induction, surgery, monitoring, and recovery.
• Identify and respond to surgical or anesthetic complications and communicate follow-up needs to the medical team.
• Complete clear, timely, and accurate surgical and medical records.

Medical Evaluation & Treatment Planning

• Examine ill, injured, or medically vulnerable shelter animals as assigned by the Medical Manager or veterinary team.
• Develop diagnostic and treatment plans that are medically appropriate, practical within a shelter setting, and mindful of population health.
• Prescribe or authorize medications, diagnostics, supportive care, rechecks, referrals, or changes in treatment as clinically indicated.
• Communicate urgent findings, significant changes, and recommended next steps promptly to the Medical Manager and designated staff.

Provide guidance regarding isolation, infectious-disease precautions, pain management, prognosis, and quality of life.

Collaboration, Safety & Compliance

• Coordinate the day's caseload and priorities with the Medical Manager and clinic team to support an efficient surgical and treatment schedule.
• Provide respectful, actionable direction to veterinary technicians and assistants while maintaining a collaborative working environment.
• Follow all applicable federal and South Carolina laws, professional standards, controlled-substance requirements, and organizational medical protocols.
• Support infection control, biosecurity, workplace safety, and responsible antimicrobial use.
• Recommend humane medical outcomes when an animal's prognosis or quality of life is poor, consistent with organizational policy and established veterinary standards.
• Maintain confidentiality and represent Dorchester Paws professionally in all interactions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree from an accredited institution.

• Current South Carolina veterinary license in good standing.
• Current DEA registration and other credentials required to perform assigned duties, as applicable.
• Professional liability insurance appropriate for independent contract veterinary work.
• Demonstrated proficiency in canine and feline spay/neuter surgery, anesthesia, pain management, and management of routine surgical complications.
• Experience in shelter medicine, high-quality high-volume spay/neuter, or community medicine strongly preferred.
• Sound clinical judgment, clear communication, dependable documentation, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with limited resources.
• Ability to stand for extended periods, perform repetitive surgical tasks, safely handle animals, and use required personal protective equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation.