Lead Sanctuary Veterinarian -Kanab, UT

Best Friends Animal Society•Kanab, UT

33d•$155,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a key medical leader for Sanctuary-based staff veterinarians, ensuring consistent treatment and care aligned with Best Friends’ organizational standards while also providing hands-on veterinary care. The Lead Veterinarian collaborates with Best Friends’ medical director and leadership to drive excellence and efficiency in veterinary medicine across all Sanctuary veterinary services. This includes shelter medicine, wellness, hospitalizations, emergency care, high-quality-high-volume spay and neuter surgeries, and other surgical procedures. The role involves caring for Best Friends’ animals, lifesaving partners, staff, and public clients. In partnership with division leadership, the Lead Veterinarian contributes to supporting Sanctuary-based regional and national strategies aimed at achieving no-kill status nationally by 2025. The role emphasizes a culture of kindness, compassion, authenticity, trust, well-being, open communication, transparent feedback, diversity, and inclusion, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering an inclusive environment where all voices are respected.

Requirements

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with experience leading teams, preferably within a collaborative veterinary team.
A minimum of 5 years of experience working as a practicing veterinarian, including professional experience with shelter medicine.
Licensed in good standing with state veterinary board.
License or application for license with Drug Enforcement Agency.
Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns.
Basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues.
Familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process.
Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process.
Problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically.
Flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn.
Must have a valid driver's license for at least 3 years.
Ability to qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance.
Ability to travel and/or drive on behalf of Best Friends, including overnight stays, when needed.

Nice To Haves

Additional experience with a variety of species, including exotics, birds, equines, etc. is a plus.
Bilingual or multi-lingual skills preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table.
Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness, and positive influence with colleagues, visitors, and volunteers, as well as to the animals.
Serve as a medical leader, fostering a collaborative environment between veterinarians and between veterinary and animal care staff.
Assist with complex medical cases, decision-making, and problem-solving.
Be responsible for the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of program animals.
Uphold medical standards of care.
Perform a variety of procedures as needed, including high-volume spay and neuter.
Maintain knowledge of shelter medicine, including common infectious diseases and conditions and their treatment.
Conduct diagnostic procedures.
Support on-call and emergency response.
Ensure a safe and effective clinic environment.
Educate, mentor, and coach veterinary students, technicians, assistants, and volunteers.
Communicate with shelters, outside veterinarians, and clinics regarding cases, including referrals or post-adoption support.
Promote continuing development of medical care through continued education.
Keep abreast of veterinary concerns and trends in animal welfare.
Uphold the highest standards of professionalism.
Provide onboarding and training relating to veterinary medicine and Best Friends operating procedures.
Lead by example in delivering superior customer service in operations, relating to all visitors, adopters, fosters, and others in a friendly, informational, and professional manner.
Work collaboratively with and assist Best Friends’ team members in all areas of operations to develop, evolve, and implement efficient processes to achieve lifesaving goals.
Follow policies, procedures, and task lists, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
Lead and maintain a safe workplace, value, and model safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules.
Address or communicate to leadership about unsafe practices and conditions.