Medical Director​/Lead Veterinarian

Job Description

West Valley Humane Society is seeking a compassionate and experienced veterinarian to serve as our Medical Director & Lead Shelter Veterinarian.

West Valley Humane Society is seeking a compassionate and experienced veterinarian to serve as our Medical Director & Lead Shelter Veterinarian.

This full-time leadership position provides high-quality veterinary care to animals in our shelter while overseeing the medical standards, protocols, compliance, and overall operations of the shelter clinic. The Medical Director will work closely with clinic staff, shelter leadership, animal care employees, foster families, and community partners to support the health and well-being of animals in our care.

The ideal candidate is comfortable balancing hands-on veterinary medicine with medical leadership and administrative responsibilities in a fast-paced shelter environment.

Full-time, salaried position Monday through Friday

Occasional flexibility may be required for urgent animal care needs or special shelter circumstances.

• Provide medical examinations, diagnoses, treatment plans, and ongoing care for shelter animals.
• Perform routine and emergency surgical procedures, including high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter surgeries.
• Provide preventive care, vaccinations, parasite treatment, wound care, pain management, and other necessary medical services.
• Diagnose and treat infectious diseases, injuries, chronic conditions, and other medical concerns commonly seen in shelter animals.
• Determine appropriate treatment plans while considering animal welfare, available resources, length of stay, and quality of life.
• Provide timely veterinary assessments for animals entering the shelter or presenting with medical concerns.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely medical records.
• Assist with humane euthanasia decisions and procedures when medically or behaviorally appropriate.
• Support outbreak prevention, disease control, sanitation practices, and population health management.

• Provide medical direction and oversight for all veterinary and shelter medical services.
• Develop, review, and maintain medical protocols, standing orders, treatment guidelines, and standard operating procedures.
• Establish consistent standards of care for shelter animals, foster animals, and animals receiving community veterinary services.
• Provide guidance and clinical support to veterinary technicians, assistants, animal care staff, and shelter leadership.
• Oversee medication administration practices, controlled substance handling, medical inventory, and pharmacy procedures.
• Help prioritize medical cases and allocate resources based on urgency, animal welfare, and organizational capacity.
• Participate in the training and development of clinic and animal care staff.
• Promote a collaborative, respectful, and solutions-focused clinic environment.
• Support the continued development and expansion of shelter and community veterinary programs.

• Maintain all veterinary licenses, permits, registrations, and professional credentials required for the position.
• Oversee DEA registration requirements and ensure compliant handling, documentation, storage, and disposal of controlled substances.
• Ensure clinic operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, veterinary regulations, and professional standards.
• Maintain required drug logs, medical records, inspection documentation, and regulatory records.
• Assist with regulatory inspections, licensing reviews, and corrective actions when necessary.
• Monitor changes in veterinary laws, shelter medicine standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Support clinic budgeting, medical purchasing, inventory management, and vendor relationships.
• Provide veterinary input regarding clinic staffing, equipment, supplies, and operational needs.
• Review medical data and outcomes to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited veterinary school.
• Current license to practice veterinary medicine in Idaho or the ability to obtain an Idaho license before beginning employment.
• Current DEA registration or the ability to obtain and maintain registration.
• Eligibility to perform all duties required under applicable state and federal regulations.
• Experience in shelter medicine, high-volume spay and neuter, emergency medicine, general practice, or a related veterinary setting is strongly preferred.
• Previous medical leadership, supervisory, or clinic management experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of population health, infectious disease prevention, animal welfare, and shelter medicine best practices.
• Strong surgical, diagnostic, and clinical decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with limited resources and changing priorities.
• Strong communication, organization, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to make…