Medical Director - Shelter Medicine

Humane Society for Southwest Washington•Vancouver, WA

1d•$145,000 - $165,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) is seeking a Medical Director - Shelter Medicine to lead its shelter medicine program. This full-time, exempt position is responsible for establishing and maintaining high standards of veterinary care, animal welfare, population health management, and disease prevention. The role involves a blend of direct clinical care (approximately 60%) and administrative/leadership duties (approximately 40%). The Medical Director will collaborate with organizational leadership and other program directors to advance lifesaving outcomes and ensure alignment with industry best practices, including the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters. HSSW is a leading animal welfare organization with a strong community focus, operating multiple clinics and programs to serve animals and pet owners in Southwest Washington.

Requirements

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree from an accredited institution.
Current Washington State veterinary license or ability to obtain licensure prior to employment.
Current DEA registration or ability to obtain registration.
Minimum five years of experience practicing veterinary medicine.
Minimum three years of shelter medicine experience in a leadership or senior-level role.
Demonstrated experience managing population health, disease prevention, and shelter operations.
Experience performing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgery.
Comprehensive knowledge of shelter medicine principles and animal welfare science.
Strong understanding of ASV Guidelines and contemporary shelter medicine practices.
Knowledge of infectious disease management, epidemiology, and population medicine.
Excellent communication, coaching, and conflict-resolution skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to interpret data and drive operational improvements.
Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
Proficiency with veterinary software systems and Microsoft Office products.
Ability to maintain professionalism and sound judgment in stressful situations.

Nice To Haves

Board certification in Shelter Medicine Practice (DABVP-SMP) or progress toward certification.
Leadership experience within a nonprofit animal welfare organization.
Experience managing multiple veterinary teams or facilities.
Experience in community medicine and access-to-care programming.
Experience with forensic examinations and animal cruelty investigations.
Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) credential.

Responsibilities

Serve as the clinical and strategic leader of HSSW's shelter medicine program.
Establish and maintain high standards of veterinary care, animal welfare, population health management, and disease prevention.
Collaborate with organizational leadership to advance lifesaving outcomes and support operational excellence.
Ensure alignment with the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters and contemporary shelter medicine best practices.
Provide direct clinical care (approx. 60%) and administrative, leadership, and program oversight (approx. 40%).
Serve as the primary shelter medicine subject matter expert for the organization.
Work in partnership with the Director of Clinical Operations and operations program directors.
Provide vision, leadership, and oversight for shelter medicine activities.
Ensure exceptional animal welfare, high-quality veterinary care, and evidence-based population management practices.
Develop, implement, and maintain shelter medicine standards, policies, and protocols.
Oversee the health and welfare of all animals entering HSSW care.
Monitor shelter population metrics and implement strategies to optimize welfare and outcomes.
Develop and maintain effective disease prevention, surveillance, and outbreak response protocols.
Lead decision-making regarding treatment plans, housing strategies, quarantine practices, and population management.
Monitor and improve animal welfare indicators.
Collaborate with shelter operations to manage capacity and ensure humane care standards.
Provide high-quality veterinary care for shelter animals, foster animals, and other program participants.
Perform high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries and other surgical procedures as needed.
Provide diagnostics, treatment planning, case management, and humane euthanasia when appropriate.
Practice evidence-based, high-quality medicine consistent with organizational resources and goals.
Maintain timely and accurate medical records.
Establish quality assurance systems for medical and surgical programs.
Conduct regular medical record audits.
Monitor surgical outcomes and complication rates.
Review and update medical protocols.
Analyze organizational medical outcomes and identify opportunities for improvement.
Oversee controlled substance management, DEA compliance, and pharmacy operations.
Recruit, mentor, supervise, and support shelter veterinarians.
Foster a positive, collaborative, and psychologically safe medical culture.
Lead veterinarian onboarding and professional development initiatives.
Coordinate continuing education opportunities and mentorship activities.
Support development of veterinary technicians, assistants, interns, externs, and volunteers.
Participate in leadership meetings and organizational planning initiatives.
Develop and maintain productive relationships with local veterinary practices, shelters, rescues, specialists, universities, and animal welfare organizations.
Serve as a professional ambassador for HSSW.
Participate in professional conferences, educational initiatives, and community outreach activities.
Support partnerships that improve access to veterinary care and lifesaving resources.
Monitor and report on key medical and operational performance indicators.
Analyze trends related to length of stay, disease prevalence, surgical outcomes, live release rates, transfer outcomes, euthanasia rates, return-to-owner outcomes, and community medicine outcomes.
Provide recommendations to leadership based on outcome data and performance trends.