Veterinarian

Sacramento SPCA•Sacramento, CA

16h•$130,000 - $145,000

About The Position

The Sacramento SPCA is hiring a veterinarian for its Spay/Neuter Clinic. The veterinarian provides high-quality veterinary medical and surgical care to clients and ensures humane treatment of animals. The primary work is high-volume spay and neuter surgery on cats and dogs, and occasionally rabbits, in the organization’s High-Quality/High-Volume clinic. Extensive training and support are available. Depending on the schedule and clinic needs, the veterinarian may also assist with shelter medicine cases and the Vaccine/Wellness clinic, including care for shelter-owned animals and low-cost surgeries for families in need. The organization offers mentorship in leadership, surgery, and shelter medicine, as well as continuing education opportunities, within an inclusive and supportive workplace. Veterinarian I expectations are an average of 20–25 surgeries per working day while developing HQHV skills and maintaining minimal complication rates. Veterinarian II expectations are 25–35 surgeries per day using advanced HQHV techniques and maintaining minimal complication rates. Veterinarians are also expected to provide guidance and training to colleagues and staff as appropriate. The role includes pre-operative health examinations, post-operative care, prescribing medications or treatments when needed, assessing animals’ suitability for surgery, and performing common additional procedures such as mass removals, dental extractions, hernia repairs, and pyometra, hydrometra, in-heat, and pregnant spays. The veterinarian maintains accurate medical records, communicates and collaborates with clients and coworkers, follows applicable laws and safety requirements, and maintains a current California veterinary license in good standing. This is a full-time position. Scheduling flexibility across spay/neuter, Vaccine/Wellness, and shelter medicine is required for 40-hour full-time positions. The work takes place in office, animal-care, public, and surgical environments, with exposure to animals, hazardous chemicals, anesthetics, sharp objects, parasites, and infectious diseases. The role may involve stressful or emotionally charged interactions with the public, and requires availability for weekends, holidays, overtime, and mandatory training or meetings as needed.

Requirements

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited university.
Current and active license to practice veterinary medicine in California.
Proficiency in spay and neuter surgery for dogs, cats, and rabbits with minimal complications.
Ability to perform common procedures including mass removal, dental extractions, umbilical and inguinal hernia repairs, and pyometra, hydrometra, in-heat, and pregnant spays.
Ability to comply with the California Veterinary Medical Practice Act and applicable county, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, and standards.
Ability to work effectively with the public, management, coworkers, volunteers, and other agencies and groups.
Ability to comprehend simple and complex instructions, correspondence, and memos.
Ability to provide detailed information in one-on-one situations and demonstrate good public-relations skills.
Attend AAVSB-approved continuing education courses and complete the minimum CE hours required for license renewal.
Practice according to the principles and ethics of the California Veterinary Medical Board and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Ability to use hands and arms for repetitive grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation, including computer data entry and email and telephone use.
Ability to stand, sit, walk, bend, and stoop frequently and perform prolonged strenuous physical activity.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds alone or up to 100 pounds with assistance for short distances.
Willingness and ability to comply with safety requirements and to work in environments involving animals, chemicals, anesthetics, and sharp objects.
Availability for weekends, holidays, overtime, and mandatory training and meetings as required.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of post-graduate clinical experience is preferred.
Flexibility to work across spay/neuter, Vaccine/Wellness, and/or shelter medicine is preferred; it is required for 40-hour full-time positions.
Openness to feedback, training, and support from managers, supervisors, and fellow veterinarians.
Interest in mentorship and continuing education in leadership, surgery, and shelter medicine.

Responsibilities

Perform high-volume spay and neuter surgeries on dogs, cats, and occasionally rabbits, using appropriate HQHV techniques.
Meet the applicable daily surgery expectations: 20–25 procedures for Veterinarian I or 25–35 procedures for Veterinarian II, while maintaining minimal complication rates.
Perform general health and pre-operative examinations and provide reasonable post-operative care, including prescribing medications or treatments when indicated.
Determine animals’ health and suitability to undergo surgery.
Perform common additional procedures, including mass removals, dental extractions, umbilical and inguinal hernia repairs, and pyometra, hydrometra, in-heat, and pregnant spays.
Assist with shelter medicine cases when needed, particularly pre-surgical examinations and additional procedures performed alongside spay/neuter surgery.
Support Vaccine/Wellness clinic work and other clinic areas as assigned or needed.
Provide guidance and training to veterinarians and staff when appropriate, and foster a positive working environment.
Communicate effectively with clients, coworkers, leadership, and volunteers, supporting efficient collaboration.
Document surgical and medical records thoroughly, accurately, and consistently.
Maintain a current veterinary license in good standing and practice according to applicable professional standards and ethics.
Help ensure safe storage, access, and use of controlled and non-controlled drugs in accordance with state and federal regulations.
Follow safety laws, policies, and rules, and report safety violations to a supervisor or management.
Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and review relevant materials to remain current in the field.
Work flexibly across spay/neuter, Vaccine/Wellness, and/or shelter medicine scheduling; this flexibility is required for 40-hour full-time positions.
Work weekends, holidays, overtime, and attend mandatory training and meetings when required by the employer.