Lead Veterinarian

Day in the Life:

The Lead Veterinarian serves as the clinical leader for the assigned hospital, providing high-quality medical and surgical care while mentoring veterinarians, veterinary students, externs, and support staff. This role includes wellness and illness evaluations, diagnostics, treatment, vaccinations, surgery, high-volume spay/neuter, and humane end-of-life care, while ensuring patient safety, accurate medical records, and exceptional client experiences. The Lead Veterinarian promotes evidence-based medicine, consistent standards of care, and continuous quality improvement across Arizona Humane Society clinics.

Working closely with the Director of Veterinary Services, Hospital Manager, supervisors, and fellow veterinarians, the Lead Veterinarian provides clinical guidance, supports complex case decision-making, assists with onboarding and training, and helps develop medical protocols, continuing education, and case rounds. This position also partners with hospital leadership on staffing, scheduling, workflow, performance feedback, and overall team development while providing veterinary support across AHS programs as operational needs require.

Job Requirements:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD)
• Current Arizona veterinary license, or ability to obtain Arizona
• DEA license or ability to
• Minimum of five years of clinical experience, with demonstrated proficiency in surgery and general practice medicine.
• Shelter medicine and/or high-volume spay/neuter experience a benefit, not a requirement.
• Previous leadership, mentoring, or supervisory experience preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and interpersonal
• Excellent clinical judgment and commitment to evidence-based
• Ability to build consensus while supporting organizational medical
• Ability to balance clinical responsibilities with leadership and administrative
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with clients, staff, volunteers, and community partners. Spanish language proficiency is a plus.
• Basic mathematical and dosage calculation skills required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn electronic medical record management software.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift, tether and/or move up to 50 pounds. Must be able to hear above the sound of the animals.

There will be exposure to dust, heat, cold and temperature changes; occasional wet floors, and animal noises, odors and dander. Most time will be spent in a typical air conditioned and heated office environment.

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Information

Must pass pre-employment drug and background screening to be compliant with DEA requirements for dispensing controlled drugs.