Clinic Surgical Veterinarian

Clinic Surgical Veterinarian

Provide High-Quality Surgical Care. Expand Access to Veterinary Services. Make a Meaningful Impact.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is seeking a skilled and compassionate Clinic Surgical Veterinarian to join our Afford-a-Care Pet Clinics team. This role is ideal for a veterinarian who enjoys surgery and would like to spend focused time performing surgical procedures while helping expand access to affordable veterinary care in our community.

As a Clinic Surgical Veterinarian, your primary focus will be providing high-quality surgical services for owned pets through the ARL's Afford-a-Care Pet Clinics. You will perform a variety of surgical procedures while partnering closely with veterinary technicians, assistants, and support staff to ensure exceptional patient care and positive client experiences.

This position offers the opportunity to focus on surgery in a mission-driven environment without the demands of emergency or after-hours care. Your work will directly support the ARL's mission by helping families access essential veterinary services and improving the health and wellbeing of pets throughout our community.

What You'll Do

The Clinic Surgical Veterinarian is responsible for performing surgical procedures in accordance with established medical standards and ARL protocols. Surgical responsibilities include spay and neuter procedures, dental surgeries, soft tissue surgeries, mass removals, and other surgical services offered through the Afford-a-Care Pet Clinics.

You will conduct pre-operative examinations, determine surgical candidacy, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and oversee post-operative patient care. You will work collaboratively with clinic support staff to maintain efficient surgical schedules while ensuring the highest standards of patient safety, anesthesia monitoring, pain management, and medical care.

While surgery will be the primary focus of the position, you may provide limited wellness, preventative, or medical care services as needed to support clinic operations and patient needs. The Clinic Surgical Veterinarian will also contribute to maintaining medical protocols, supporting staff development, and fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and exceptional client service.

What We're Looking For

Candidates must possess a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or equivalent) degree from an accredited veterinary school and maintain an active Iowa veterinary license in good standing, or have the ability to obtain licensure prior to employment.

The ideal candidate has a strong interest in surgery, demonstrates excellent surgical and medical judgment, and is comfortable performing a high volume of procedures while maintaining quality patient outcomes. Experience with spay/neuter, dentistry, and soft tissue surgery is preferred, although veterinarians with a desire to further develop their surgical skills are encouraged to apply.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong communication skills, a commitment to client education, and the ability to work effectively within a collaborative team environment.

Why Join the ARL Afford-a-Care Clinics?

The ARL's Afford-a-Care Pet Clinics were established to increase access to veterinary care for pets and the people who love them. As a Clinic Surgery Veterinarian, you will have the opportunity to focus on meaningful surgical medicine while helping remove barriers to care within our community.

This position offers the satisfaction of making a direct impact on pet health while working alongside experienced support staff in a collaborative, mission-focused environment. You'll enjoy the opportunity to practice high-quality medicine, build surgical expertise, and improve the lives of pets and their families every day. At the ARL, we provide market competitive compensation without the stress of having to meet productivity measures. We also offer an extensive benefits package including opportunities for student loan reimbursements, PSLF eligibility, and a 401(k) with an employer contribution.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

This position requires the ability to stand for extended periods, perform repetitive surgical procedures, and safely handle animals of varying sizes and temperaments. Work is performed in a veterinary clinic environment and may involve exposure to animals, animal dander, cleaning agents, anesthetic gases, and other conditions common to veterinary practice.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

Schedules are typically 4 - 10 hour days with rotating half day Saturdays. Our ARL Afford-a-Care Clinics are open Monday through Friday.