What is the role of a Chief Shelter Veterinarian at Great Plains Spca?

The Chief Shelter Veterinarian position at Great Plains Spca is a Full-time or part-time position opportunity in the relevant field.

Where is this Chief Shelter Veterinarian job located?

Merriam, Kansas, 66202, United States

What type of employment is offered for this Chief Shelter Veterinarian role?

Full-time or part-time position

What industry does this Chief Shelter Veterinarian position belong to?

This role spans multiple industries.

What is the expected salary for this Chief Shelter Veterinarian job?

$120,000 – $150,000 Yearly Salary

How can I apply for the Chief Shelter Veterinarian position at Great Plains Spca?

You can apply directly through the application link provided.

Chief Shelter Veterinarian at Great Plains Spca

Chief Veterinarian – Shelter Medicine

Job Description

Class: Exempt - Full Time March 2026

Location: Merriam, KS

Salary Range: $120,000-$150,000

Reports to: Vice President of Operations

Great Plains SPCA located in Merriam, KS is the highest rated shelter in the Kansas City area that serves approximately 7,000 animals and 500,000 residents annually. We are a results driven organization built on resiliency, compassion, inclusion, and accountability.

Are you ready for a job that keeps you on your toes, both mentally and physically? Are you looking for a job where "predictable" is a dirty word?Are you as consistent as a cat's unwavering demand for treats at 3 a.m.? Want to make a daily difference for community pets?

Position Summary: The Chief Shelter Veterinarian serves as the strategic and operational leader of the Shelter Medicine Team and Clinic at Great Plains SPCA. This role is dedicated to delivering exceptional veterinary care, optimizing team performance, and fostering a culture of compassionate leadership. As a champion for animal welfare and quality of life, the Chief Shelter Veterinarian collaborates closely with the Vice President of Operations to drive medical excellence, ensure a safe and engaging clinic environment, and continuously elevate the standards and outcomes of shelter medicine.

Key Responsibilities and Competencies

Partner with the Vice President of Operations to manage the Shelter Medicine Program to ensure we are providing excellent medical care to all our shelter animalsOversee and train Shelter Veterinarians and TechniciansDirect, lead, and mentor Associate Veterinarians to empower them to reach their highest professional potential and deliver outstanding, high quality medical care and business resultsIn partnership with Vice President of Operations effectively create and maintain veterinarians’ schedules and responsibilities to meet GPSPCA business needsFacilitate effective communication between staff, medical team, and volunteers and leadershipServe as a communications liaison by leading routine hospital team meetings, sharing business information and messaging to all hospital associates to ensure they remain informed, engaged, and have opportunities to provide feedbackPractice Shelter veterinary medicine in a manner compliant with the State Veterinary Practice Act, Federal and/or State Controlled Substance laws, along with appropriate medical record documentation; ensure the team maintains complete medical records that meet practice quality control guidelinesLead the Shelter Veterinarians through the daily schedule and caseloadProvide professional, efficient, and exceptional service, including prescribing and administering preventive care for the wellness needs of pets as well as diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries of petsEnsure consistent, accurate and proactive diagnosis and treatment plans to staff and volunteers.Prescribe and administer drugs and vaccines as appropriatePerform surgery and dentals on pets as necessary, using standard medical instruments and equipmentPromote the safety of pets, clients, and associates by ensuring the Shelter Medicine team utilizes safe restraining techniques, following standard practice guidelines, and maintaining clean, sterile and organized treatment areas, exam rooms and laboratory areasDevelop and meet performance metrics in line with organizational goals and priorities.Demonstrate integrity and ethics in all actions and behaviorsAddress and resolve concerns arising from the medical care of a petMaintain drug logs in accordance with DEA and DOA.Perform dentals on shelter pets as neededOversee ordering of supplies, budget, expenses, and invoice approvals for the departmentOther shelter duties as assigned

Key Skills

Flexible and available to work non-traditional hours when required to meet operational demandsHandle dogs and cats and other pets of all sizes, ages, temperaments and needs safely and appropriatelyDemonstrate strong leadership, initiative, and problem-solving skillsDemonstrate strong organizational skills and follow through on job assignmentsProvide a compassionate and humane environment: by demonstrating empathy and professionalismStrong interpersonal and verbal and written communication skillsExcellent customer service and professionalismCompassion and empathy for animal and human clientsAbility to work individually and on a team, multi-task and self-startAbility to remain calm and empathic in stressful situations

Experience/Education Requirements

Degree completion in Veterinary Medicine requiredCandidates must be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Kansas and be eligible for a DEA license.Three plus years of people management experience in a fast-paced environmentStrong Customer Service SkillsFive plus years in Veterinary Medicine work-related experience with animalsCompetent with computer functions and programs such as Internet and web-based programs, Microsoft Office, Excel, Clover and PetPoint

Physical Requirements

Handle and restrain animals weighing up to 100lbsLift 50lbs to waist heightFrequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, stooping, carrying, and reaching

Additional Requirements

Standard schedule is Tuesday–Saturday, generally 9 AM to 6 PMOn call supportRotating holiday coveragePossess a valid driver’s license

At Will Employment

There is no minimum period of employment guaranteed or implied by acceptance of an employment offer. It is the policy of Great Plains SPCA that employment is at will, which means that the employment is for no specific term and that employment may be terminated by the employee or Great Plains SPCA at any time without cause.

Great Plains is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, or for any basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We assure you that your opportunity for employment with Great Plains SPCA depends solely on your qualifications.

Note: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. You may be required to perform other related duties within your skill set as negotiated and/or directed to meet the ongoing needs of your department and the organization.

Great Plains SPCA proudly has a live release rate of 98% as a part of the no-kill shelter movement.

GPSPCA is an engaging, mission‑driven workplace where our team and the animals we serve come first. We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including:

Health, dental, and vision insuranceGenerous PTO, Days of Significance, and 9 paid holidays100% employer‑covered mental health supportDisability and life insurance403(b) retirement planDiscounts on veterinary care, retail store items, and GPSPCA event tickets

Chief Shelter Veterinarian at Great Plains Spca – Merriam, Kansas

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