Veterinarian

About the role

The staff veterinarian provides comprehensive medical, surgical, and dental care for shelter and privately owned cats, delivering quality veterinary services to shelter, adopted, and privately owned cats through subsidized medical programs.

Responsibilities

• Surgery (45% of time)
  • Perform spay and neuter, dental, and other soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries (e.g., hernia repairs, amputations, enucleations, mass removals) in accordance with established hospital policies and protocols.
  • Screen cats for major medical issues precluding anesthesia by conducting pre-operative physical exams.
  • Oversee anesthesia administration by ensuring proper drug dosage based on feline age and condition, adjusting as needed.
  • Direct hospital staff during and after surgery, providing instructions for medication administration, post-operative recovery, and complication management.
  • Update medical records with surgery notes in Shelter Buddy or ClinicHQ software.
• Veterinary Medical Care (45% of time)
  • Determine appropriate medical courses of action (treatment, diagnostics, or monitoring) for shelter cats by performing physical exams, reviewing observation sheets, and collaborating with staff.
  • Provide medical care using safe handling techniques and established protocols.
  • Interpret diagnostic tests (e.g., fecal floats, cytology, radiographs, blood chemistry) and determine treatment needs.
  • Provide post-adoption or post-operative care to public cats, including exams, prescriptions, owner education, and financial discussions.
  • Respond to medical emergencies by evaluating cats and determining best courses of action; serve as on-call contact for shelter staff and foster volunteers outside regular hours.
  • Update medical records with exam findings, treatments, and prescribed medications, complying with Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board (OVMEB) documentation requirements for non-CAT-owned cats.
• Medical Policy and Procedure Development and Dissemination (10% of time)
  • Assist the medical director with hospital support staff training by demonstrating skills, sharing protocols, and providing feedback.
  • Collaborate with the medical director to maintain and update medical and sanitation policies and procedures based on shelter needs and best practices.
  • Pursue continuing education to stay informed on current medical and surgical procedures.
  • Evaluate medical records and history to determine cat admission eligibility; provide medical leadership in the medical director’s absence.
  • Participate in medical rounds, patient care discussions, and organizational meetings as requested.

Qualifications

• Valid license to practice veterinary medicine in Oregon.
• Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
• Professional liability insurance (obtainable prior to start date).

Preferred

• Previous shelter medicine experience.
• Current DEA certificate for controlled substances.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge: Veterinary medicine, veterinary shelter medicine, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Shelter Buddy, ClinicHQ.
• Skills:
  • Perform high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter surgeries, including pediatric procedures.
  • Conduct other veterinary medical procedures requiring a valid veterinary license (including humane euthanasia when medically necessary).
  • Remain organized; complete tasks with minimal direction; manage multiple tasks simultaneously; attend to details.
  • Communicate effectively in person and in writing; handle animals safely; follow protocols; operate veterinary and office equipment.
• Abilities:
  • Analyze and solve problems effectively; work cooperatively in a team; provide corrective feedback positively; facilitate difficult conversations; remain calm in emergencies.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Physical Requirements:
  • Move and/or transport items up to 30 pounds (assisted or unassisted).
  • Position oneself at various levels to perform essential functions.
  • Provide direct animal care (feeding, cleaning, handling).
  • Perform surgical and non-surgical medical procedures.
  • Clean and disinfect animal housing and facilities using agents such as bleach and Rescue®.
  • Communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and the public; navigate the shelter; maintain accurate records; operate office and veterinary equipment.
• Work Environment:
  • Work performed at an animal shelter hospital with hazards such as distressed animals, animal waste, medications, needles, zoonotic disease exposure, and disinfecting agents.
  • Conditions may include noise, temperature variations, odors, cleanliness challenges, and contagious disease exposure.

Pay

$120,000 – $134,000 annually, depending on experience.