Staff Veterinarian

Richmond Animal League’s Loving Spay & Neuter Clinic is seeking a Staff Veterinarian (SV) to join our team. The Staff Veterinarian will perform surgeries at RAL’s Loving Spay & Neuter Clinic in addition to providing medical care for pets at RAL’s shelter. As the Staff Veterinarian, your work and leadership will be critical to RAL’s mission to save animals’ lives and address the issue of homeless pets.

For more than 47 years, RAL has been committed to saving animals' lives and finding homes for pets. We work with over 60 area shelters and rescue partners to reduce euthanasia across Virginia. RAL provides temporary housing, medical treatment, vaccinations, spay/ neuter, and loving care for pets to help them find new homes.

RAL’s Loving Spay & Neuter Clinic has performed over 100,000 spay/neuter surgeries, addressing a critical need to address pet overpopulation and homelessness.

As we approach our 50th anniversary, RAL is stronger than ever, with plans for continued growth and impact in our communities. We’re proud of the difference we are making, the talented staff, and a supportive community. This is a fantastic place to work!

As the Staff Veterinarian, you will ensure that all surgical and medical protocols are carried out according to published procedures and hold the entire staff to the highest standard of patient care. You will regularly seek to further your knowledge of the most current diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical techniques as it pertains to RAL’s mission. You will be a part of the decision-making team and will collaborate on medical and operational policies.

You will report to the Veterinarian-in-Charge (VIC).

• Earn Fear Free certification and practice Fear Free techniques
• Use gentle handling and surgical techniques; maintain sterility in surgery; practice patience and flexibility with fearful and reactive patients; and ensure the patients are comfortable and their needs are met by our team

• Conduct an initial preoperative examination on all patients upon arrival to assess surgical candidacy
• Guide drug choice and dosages based on established protocols and on individual patient needs
• Creating a game plan with the surgical staff for each day to optimize patient safety and process efficiency
• Perform spay and neuter surgeries, and other procedures as appropriate, for LSNC patients
• Perform spay and neuter surgeries and other elective and life saving surgeries as appropriate for RAL shelter pets

• Assess recovery status on all patients after surgeries are complete, confirming patients are fully recovered, and clearing patients for checkout. Remaining on site until patients are fully recovered and ready for check out, and being available by phone until the clinic closes
• Performing post-operative recheck appointments as needed

• Coordinate with the Shelter Operations staff to determine their needs
• Coordinate RAL appointments and procedures with the Shelter Veterinary Coordinator on the surgery days
• Triage RAL medical cases using established protocols
• Perform intake examinations on all new RAL shelter pets in a timely manner
• Conduct medical examinations on RAL shelter and foster pets and create management plans that are practical and affordable
• Utilize shelter software to input accurate medical information
• Conferring with the Director of Kennel Operations regarding patient referral
• Provide leadership at the LSNC and RAL
• Help foster RAL’s positive and professional culture, where all clinic staff are valued members of the…