HIGH-QUALITY, HIGH-VOLUME SPAY/NEUTER VETERIN

Anti-Cruelty • Chicago, IL

13d • $130,000 - $165,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The High-Quality, High-Volume Spay/Neuter Veterinarian is responsible for providing safe, efficient and compassionate surgical care within Anti-Cruelty’s community spay/neuter and shelter medicine programs. This position serves as a primary surgeon in Anti-Cruelty’s high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter program and plays a critical role in expanding access to affordable veterinary care, reducing animal overpopulation and ensuring that shelter animals are prepared for placement without unnecessary delays. The veterinarian performs spay/neuter procedures using efficient, evidence-based surgical techniques while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety, pain management, anesthesia and postoperative care. The veterinarian works in close partnership with veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, clinic leadership and shelter operations staff to maintain effective patient flow and continually improve surgical capacity, quality and outcomes. Although the primary responsibility of this position is high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgery, the veterinarian may also support other mission-aligned veterinary services based on organizational needs.

Requirements

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary school.
• Current Illinois veterinary license, or ability to obtain Illinois licensure before employment.
• Current DEA registration, or ability to obtain registration, if required for assigned duties.
• Experience performing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgery
• Demonstrated competency in canine and feline ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy and orchiectomy required.
• Excellent surgical technique and sound clinical judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to perform surgery efficiently without compromising quality or patient safety.
• Thorough knowledge of anesthesia, analgesia, aseptic technique, emergency response and postoperative care.
• Ability to assess surgical risk and make appropriate decisions regarding patient acceptance, postponement or referral.
• Ability to manage complications calmly and effectively.
• Ability to work productively within a highly coordinated surgical team.
• Ability to give and receive feedback professionally.
• Commitment to accessible veterinary care, progressive animal sheltering and reducing barriers to spay/neuter services.
• Strong communication, organizational and medical-recordkeeping skills.
• Ability to balance individual patient needs with population-level responsibilities.
• Commitment to continuing education and ongoing improvement in surgical skill and clinic operations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience performing pediatric spay/neuter procedures strongly preferred.
• Shelter medicine, community medicine or nonprofit veterinary experience preferred.
• Experience supervising, training or mentoring veterinary support staff preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter surgeries on dogs and cats, including pediatric, adult, community cat and shelter patients.
• Routinely complete approximately 30 spay/neuter surgeries during a fully staffed clinic day, with the ability to reach 35 or more depending on patient mix, staffing, training, clinic conditions and organizational need.
• Conduct preoperative physical examinations and determine each patient’s suitability for anesthesia and surgery.
• Modify anesthetic and surgical plans appropriately based on patient age, weight, health status and individual risk factors.
• Perform surgical procedures using efficient, atraumatic and evidence-based techniques.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to anesthetic complications, surgical complications and medical emergencies.
• Ensure appropriate perioperative pain management, anesthetic monitoring and postoperative recovery.
• Provide timely evaluation and treatment of postoperative concerns and complications.
• Maintain accurate, complete and timely medical records.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, professional standards and organizational medical protocols.
• Uphold the PETS Work Culture Agreement through Praise, Engagement, Trust, and Support.
• Partner with clinic leadership and the surgical support team to create and maintain safe, consistent and efficient patient flow.
• Participate in daily surgical rounds, case review and team communication.
• Help identify operational barriers affecting surgical volume, patient safety, staff performance or clinic efficiency.
• Support standardized protocols for patient selection, anesthesia, surgery, recovery, discharge and postoperative care.
• Review surgical outcomes and participate in quality-assurance activities, including monitoring complication rates, mortality, anesthetic events, surgical efficiency and other key performance indicators.
• Provide constructive feedback, coaching and hands-on mentorship to veterinary technicians, assistants, students and other team members.
• Promote a learning environment in which staff members are encouraged to raise safety concerns, ask questions and improve their technical skills.
• Assist with the evaluation and responsible implementation of new equipment, supplies, medications, techniques and workflow improvements.
• Maintain appropriate standards of sanitation, infection control, controlled-substance security and surgical-suite organization.
• Use organizational resources responsibly and support cost-effective medical and surgical practices without compromising patient care.
• Model Anti-Cruelty’s values and support a respectful, inclusive and accountable workplace.
• Work collaboratively with veterinarians, clinic managers, veterinary support staff and operational leaders.
• Communicate medical decisions clearly, respectfully and promptly.
• Maintain professional composure and sound clinical judgment in a fast-paced environment.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, continuing education and organizational initiatives.
• Represent Anti-Cruelty professionally in interactions with clients, partners, volunteers, students and members of the public.
• Perform other duties consistent with the position and organizational mission.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Professional development support
• Opportunity to build a high-impact surgical program serving shelter animals, community pets and families throughout Chicago.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level