Part-Time/Relief Veterinarian

Sacramento SPCA•Sacramento, CA

21h•$63 - $81

About The Position

The Veterinarian I/II provides high-quality veterinary medical and surgical care to clients and ensures the humane treatment of animals. The position performs high-volume spay and neuter surgeries on cats and dogs, and occasionally rabbits, in the Sacramento SPCA’s High-Quality/High-Volume Spay/Neuter Clinic. Depending on the schedule and status, the veterinarian may also support shelter medicine cases involving shelter-owned animals and/or the Vaccine/Wellness clinic program. Scheduling options include part-time and relief shifts, with opportunities to practice surgery, medicine, or both. Veterinarian I employees average 20 to 25 surgeries per working day while developing surgical skills with training and support. Veterinarian II employees perform approximately 25 to 35 surgeries per day using advanced high-volume techniques and are expected to guide and train veterinarians and staff. All veterinarians perform pre-operative exams, provide appropriate post-operative care, make decisions about animals’ health and suitability for surgery, maintain accurate records, and contribute to a safe, efficient, collaborative working environment. The role may include common procedures such as mass removal, dental extractions, hernia repairs, and spays involving pyometra, hydrometra, heat, or pregnancy. The position requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and an active California veterinary license in good standing. The veterinarian must maintain required continuing education and practice in accordance with applicable professional ethics, laws, and regulations. The work may involve exposure to animals that are sick, injured, unruly, or dangerous, as well as parasites and infectious diseases. Physical duties include standing, walking, bending, stooping, sitting, and lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds alone or up to 100 pounds with assistance for short distances. Weekend, holiday, and overtime availability may be required.

Requirements

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited university.
Current and active license to practice veterinary medicine in California.
Proficiency performing spay and neuter surgeries on dogs, cats, and rabbits with minimal complications.
Ability to perform common surgical 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, regulations, and standards.
Ability to work effectively with the public, management, employees, volunteers, other agencies, and groups.
Ability to understand 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 earn the required minimum CE hours for license renewal.
Practice according to the principles and ethics of the California Veterinary Medical Board and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Ability to perform physical duties including standing, walking, bending, stooping, sitting, and prolonged strenuous activity; lift and carry up to 50 pounds alone or up to 100 pounds with assistance for short distances.
Must be available and willing to work weekends, holidays, and overtime and attend mandatory training and meetings as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of post-graduate clinic experience.
Flexibility to work across Spay/Neuter, Vaccine/Wellness, and/or Shelter Medicine scheduling (required for 40-hour full-time positions).

Responsibilities

Perform high-volume spay and neuter surgeries on dogs, cats, and occasionally rabbits.
Meet the applicable daily surgery expectations: an average of 20 to 25 procedures for Vet I or 25 to 35 procedures for Vet II.
Perform general health and pre-operative examinations and provide reasonable post-operative care, including prescribing appropriate medications or treatments when needed.
Assess animals’ health and suitability to undergo surgery.
Perform common surgical procedures, including mass removal, dental extractions, umbilical and inguinal hernia repairs, and pyometra, hydrometra, in-heat, and pregnant spays.
Assist with shelter medicine cases when needed, including pre-surgical examinations and additional procedures.
Communicate effectively with clients, coworkers, leadership, volunteers, and other groups while supporting an efficient, collaborative work environment.
Document surgical and medical records thoroughly, accurately, and consistently.
Maintain a current veterinary license in good standing and complete required continuing education for license renewal.
Help ensure the safe storage, access, and use of controlled and non-controlled drugs in compliance with applicable 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 materials to remain current in the field.
For Vet II, provide guidance and training to veterinarians and staff and model a positive working environment.
Be flexible in scheduling across Spay/Neuter, Vaccine/Wellness, and/or Shelter Medicine when applicable.