The Staff Veterinarian – Community Medicine provides accessible, high-quality veterinary care to owned pets through AAWL’s Community Veterinary Clinic and Mobile Community Clinic. This role focuses on preventive medicine, wellness care, client education, and treatment of common medical conditions while helping expand access to veterinary services for underserved pet owners and communities.
The Staff Veterinarian – Community Medicine builds trusting relationships with pet owners and provides compassionate, client-centered care in both clinic-based and mobile settings. The position works collaboratively with the Community Clinic Manager, Community Coordinator, veterinary technicians, medical staff, and community outreach teams to provide positive patient and client experiences.
The Staff Veterinarian – Community Medicine may also provide shelter medicine support based on experience, interest, and organizational needs, and may participate in the development and expansion of AAWL’s community veterinary programs
Key Responsibilities
Community & Preventive Medicine
- Provide wellness, preventive, and medical care to owned pets through AAWL’s Community Veterinary Clinic and Mobile Community Clinic.
- Perform physical examinations, develop treatment plans, and provide appropriate medical care for common and minor medical conditions.
- Provide vaccinations, preventive treatments, and wellness services.
- Educate clients regarding preventive care, nutrition, parasite prevention, treatment recommendations, and overall pet health.
- Help clients understand treatment options and make informed decisions regarding their pets’ care.
- Provide compassionate, accessible veterinary care while considering the financial and individual circumstances of clients.
- Support community health initiatives designed to increase access to veterinary care and help pets remain healthy and in their homes.
Client Service & Community Outreach
- Build trusting and respectful relationships with pet owners through accessible, compassionate veterinary care.
- Communicate medical findings, diagnoses, treatment recommendations, and follow-up instructions clearly and effectively.
- Work with clients from diverse socioeconomic, geographic, cultural, and personal backgrounds.
- Collaborate with community outreach staff to identify and respond to veterinary needs within underserved communities.
- Represent AAWL professionally in community-based veterinary settings and outreach programs.
- Support the continued development and expansion of AAWL’s community veterinary services.
Mobile Veterinary Services
- Provide veterinary services through AAWL’s Mobile Community Clinic in underserved communities.
- Participate in mobile clinics that may include high-volume vaccination services, wellness appointments, and other community veterinary services.
- Adapt clinical workflows and patient care practices to a mobile veterinary environment.
- Help identify opportunities to expand mobile veterinary services and increase access to care in underserved communities.
Shelter Medicine & Organizational Support
- Provide shelter medicine support based on experience, interest, and organizational needs.
- Assist with shelter medical case management when needed.
- Provide clinical guidance regarding shelter animals and participate in medical decision-making as appropriate.
- Support shelter population health, infectious disease prevention, and treatment when requested.
- Participate in a rotating on-call schedule for escalated shelter pet medical questions as needed.
- Collaborate with shelter medical staff to ensure appropriate and timely care for shelter animals.
Diagnostics & Clinical Oversight
- Interpret laboratory results, radiographs, and other diagnostic tools as appropriate to guide medical decisions.
- Develop appropriate treatment and follow-up plans for patients.
- Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant medical recordkeeping.
- Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including the veterinary practice act.
- Establish and follow clinical protocols in alignment with AAWL standards and veterinary best practices.
Team Collaboration & Mentorship
- Provide clinical guidance and direction to veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and other medical support staff during patient care.
- Collaborate with the Community Clinic Manager, Community Coordinator, veterinary technicians, other veterinarians, and community outreach staff to support efficient clinic operations.
- Mentor veterinary fellows, interns, externs, and other learners.
- Support training and development of medical staff by sharing knowledge and reinforcing best practices.
- Foster a respectful, collaborative, and mission-aligned work environment.
- Support AAWL’s mission and core values of collaboration, integrity, empathy, and innovation.
Schedule Expectations
- Full-time and part-time schedules may be considered.
- Flexible scheduling based on organizational needs and veterinarian preferences.
- Saturdays are a regular part of the schedule; Sundays are consistently scheduled off.
- Community Veterinary Clinic hours currently include Saturdays from 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
- Saturday shifts include a high-volume vaccine clinic from approximately 7:45 AM – 12:00 PM and a wellness clinic from approximately 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
- Saturday veterinarians may be asked to assess or provide guidance regarding shelter animals if medical concerns arise during the shift.
- Participate in Mobile Community Clinic services approximately three times per month, currently scheduled on Mondays, with the potential for increased frequency as the program expands.
- Mobile Community Clinic shifts may range from 4–8 hours and may include high-volume vaccination clinics or wellness-focused services.
- Additional weekday shifts may include community medicine appointments and/or shelter medicine case management.
- Participation in a rotating weekend on-call schedule for escalated shelter pet medical questions may be requested based on organizational needs.
Qualifications
- DVM or VMD degree from an accredited university.
- Veterinary license in good standing, or eligibility for licensure, in the state of Arizona.
- Minimum of 1 year of veterinary clinical experience.
- Experience in community medicine, wellness care, preventive medicine, or shelter medicine preferred.
- Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic, and decision-making skills.
- Excellent client communication and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to communicate complex medical information in a clear, compassionate, and accessible manner.
- Ability to work effectively in both traditional clinic and mobile veterinary settings.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-pressure environment.
- Ability to interact effectively with clients, volunteers, and staff from diverse geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.
- Spanish language proficiency preferred.
- Demonstrated interest in incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of AAWL’s work.
- Commitment to animal welfare, accessible veterinary care, and nonprofit mission-driven work.
Working Conditions
- Prolonged standing, walking, and occasional sitting.
- Regular handling and restraint of animals, including animals that may be fearful, aggressive, injured, or ill.
- Work in both traditional clinical and mobile veterinary environments.
- Regular interaction with members of the public, including clients who may be experiencing financial or other barriers to veterinary care.
- Fast-paced environment requiring adaptability, sound judgment, effective communication, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Occasional exposure to outdoor environments and varying weather conditions during mobile community clinics.
- Ability to safely perform veterinary examinations and provide hands-on medical care for animals.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
- Pay starts at $120,000 - $160,000 per hour.
- Generous PTO, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays annually.
- 100% employer-paid medical and life insurance; dental, vision, and supplemental options available.
- Employer-supported professional development.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Other benefits include:
- Arizona Veterinary Medical and DEA license fees paid.
- American Veterinary Medical Association, Association of Shelter Veterinarians, Arizona Veterinary Medical Association and Veterinary Information Network membership fees paid.
- Liability and malpractice insurance paid (AVMA PLIT).
- Generous paid 3-week vacation/sick time off, and 12 paid holidays per year
- $2,000 C.E. allowance and paid professional development opportunities to attend veterinary conferences (negotiable).
- Qualified Employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, including their email, phone and relationship, to: Practice Manager Megan McWherter at: [email protected].
Please reference “Staff Veterinarian” in your email. No phone calls or walk-ins.
Pay: $120,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
