Veterinarian - Community Medicine

Humane Society for Southwest Washington; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan with matching

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan

Discounts with partner organizations

Job summary

Humane Society for Southwest Washington in Vancouver, WA, seeks a Veterinarian - Community Medicine to join our team. You will provide preventive and wellness care to patients, overseeing all aspects of veterinary care during a clinic day including physical examination, diagnostics, treatment recommendations and delivery, prescribing medications and discharge information in line with schedule.

The role supports shelter and mobile clinics across Southwest Washington, promoting access to

Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent.
• Current veterinary licensure in Washington, or ability to obtain within 60 days.
• Ability to provide a safe, compassionate environment using low-stress handling.
• Ability to perform exams, wellness care, and diagnose treat cats/dogs.
• Strong clinical judgment and resiliency; good teamwork and communication.

Responsibilities

• Perform wellness and preventive care, exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and diagnostics.
• Diagnose and treat common conditions in a community wellness setting.
• Oversee minor outpatient procedures and provide humane euthanasia per policy.
• Maintain patient records and collaborate with colleagues.
• Communicate results and discharge instructions to clients clearly.
• Support veterinary staff training and contribute to medical protocols.

Skills

Shelter medicine

Community medicine

Small animal care

Low-stress handling

Client communication

Team collaboration

Leadership experience

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Washington veterinary licensure

Licensure within 60 days

Job description

Description

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking a Veterinarian - Community Medicine to join our team. This is a full-time, FLSA exempt opportunity.

Since 1897, HSSW has been the leader in animal welfare across Southwest Washington. With an annual operating budget of $15 million, we are the largest and most innovative animal welfare organization in the region. Our shelter campuses in Vancouver and Longview, WA serve more than 10,000 animals each year, providing high-quality care, medical services, and the compassion they deserve.

Our community-based approach helps keep pets and people together. Through the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic, the Sandra Richardson Miller Mobile Veterinary Clinic, the Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center, and programs like free pet food and other essential resources, we serve more than 18,000 owned animals annually expanding access to affordable veterinary care, spay/neuter, training, and support.

We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store, a top shopping destination named Best Thrift Store in Clark County for eight consecutive years, providing vital funding for our mission.

At HSSW, you’ll find an innovative, high-energy culture where your passion for animals and people can make a real difference. We’re looking for team members who want to be part of something bigger: supporting pets, strengthening families, and shaping the future of animal welfare in Southwest Washington. HSSW has been honored as Best Non-Profit for two years running—a recognition of our impact and leadership in the community.

Veterinarian - Community Medicine

Provide compassionate, quality preventive and wellness 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 in line with typical clinic scheduling.

Responsibilities

Job Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Medical

• Perform wellness and preventive care examinations, including vaccinations, parasite prevention and control, and routine diagnostic screening
• Diagnose and treat common medical conditions presenting in a community wellness setting
• Perform and oversee minor outpatient procedures 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
• Triage and refer cases that do not fall within our parameters of care as appropriate
• Perform humane euthanasia in accordance with HSSW's policy and protocols
• Provide support and medical services in special cases as needed, including evaluation and treatment of animals living in hoarding situations

Client Service

• Communicate with all clients in a non-judgment, effective and professional manner; discuss physical examination and test results to allow pet owners to make informed decisions about their pet's care
• Counsel owners about end of life and other sensitive medical concerns
• Provide discharge instructions for patients and oversee the dispensing of medications

Administrative/Teamwork

• Document exam findings, test results and treatment recommendations
• Collaborate and foster good communication with colleagues
• Participate in veterinary/medical training of clinic staff by coaching, discussion, and demonstration
• Assist in determining the needed scope of services provided by HSSW based on experience with patients and clients and provide input into medical protocols

Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (or equivalent)
• Current veterinary licensure in Washington, or ability to obtain within 60 days of employment
• Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques
• Knowledge of and ability to use low-stress handling techniques
• Ability to efficiently perform physical examinations, wellness care, and diagnose and treat cats and dogs
• Sound clinical judgment and resiliency
• Displays care and concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals, and others, especially in stressful situations
• Able to work standing for 8 or more hours and bend, crouch, kneel and move freely to perform responsibilities that include handling potentially aggressive animals in stressful conditions and navigating the stairs and smaller working spaces of our mobile veterinary clinics
• Ability and willingness to commute to different locations to support HSSW's stationary and mobile veterinary clinics

Work Experience

• Experience in general small animal practice, shelter medicine, or community medicine preferred
• Experience in leadership a plus

Language

English (Required)

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The Veterinarian - Community Medicine must have the physical endurance and abilities to effectively and safely perform the essential duties and responsibilities required for this position. Primary work is performed in a community veterinary clinic environment with potential exposure to fractious animals, high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, animal bites and scratches, cleaning chemicals and allergens. There is potential exposure of infectious diseases to owned animals.

Additional work may be required on-site at our shelter locations within an animal shelter/clinical environment, with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near radiological equipment and live animals.

The position requires the ability to stand, walk, ascend and descend stairs, sit, talk, and hear, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, stretch, grasp, and grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level and lift, push, pull, lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds of weight with assistance, repetitively use hands to operate equipment and computers, flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties or special projects required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship. HSSW participates in E-Verify.

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $115,000 to $125,000. The starting pay within that range is dependent upon experience.

Employee Benefits and Perks

In addition to serving in an organization with a compassionate and strategic purpose, eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and a variety of employee perks.

Benefits include:

• Health insurance effective the first of the month following hire (full-time employees).
• Dental and vision insurance effective the first of the month following hire.
• Matching percentage 401(k) retirement plan beginning the first month after hire, with a 3-year graded vesting schedule and ROTH contribution option.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to all employees and household members.
• Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses.
• Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance.
• Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. To learn more about this Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation

Paid Time Off (PTO)

PTO is granted at 3 weeks per year.

Additional Paid time includes:

• Floating Holidays
• Bereavement leave
• Pet bereavement leave

Culture

Vision: A community where everyone loves and cares for animals.

Mission: Rescue. Return. Restore. Rehome. Reconnect. One animal at a time

Values: Compassion. Collaboration. Excellence. Service. Integrity.

The ultimate team player:

• Displays interest, enthusiasm, and an affinity for working with people.
• Demonstrates an attitude in being of-service, using good judgment, maintaining a positive outlook, and ideally, a sense of humor.
• Works well in teams and demonstrates an attitude and commitment to collaboration with a sincere interest in helping others succeed.
• Is committed to achieving excellence individually and as a part of the team.
• Exhibits adaptability, curiosity, flexibility to change, open to new ideas, and encourages others to recognize changes in work tasks, situations, and environment as an opportunity for transformation.
• Is committed to personal and professional development through life-long learning.