Position Summary
Veterinarians are important team members and leaders in our fast-paced and mission-focused shelter.
Primary responsibilities include general examinations, alteration surgeries, soft tissue surgeries,
dentistry, animal public health, student teaching, and teamwork. The Shelter Veterinarian will work up
and/or direct internal medicine, emergency, and surgical cases.
PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Shelter Veterinarian Responsibilities:
• Provide veterinary medical care to all shelter animals.
o Perform alteration surgeries and other soft tissue or dental procedures that are necessary to
relieve overt pain/suffering to restore an acceptable quality of life to the animal.
o Perform general and advanced health assessments on all animals and treat as necessary.
o Perform emergency veterinary care as needed for animals under the care of Wayside Waifs,
giving them an appropriate quality of life and pain management while treating.
o Help maintain general and advanced tracking of animals, disease, and treatments.
o Perform euthanasia of animals in the care of Wayside Waifs and animals owned by the public
as scheduled through the Pet Memorial Services department.
• Ensure high level of care, compassion, and support to all animals.
• Ensure disease control protocols are followed.
• Work with, provide leadership, and set a professional example for the public, staff, and volunteers.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all staff and volunteers, as well as the
public not only within the vet clinic, but also in support of other departments to help achieve overall
shelter efficiency.
o Counsel and advise potential adopters and adopters with questions or concerns and provide
treatment for recently adopted animals.
o Educate the staff and volunteers to increase their knowledge of disease recognition and
prevention.
o Assist with media and PR upon request of the Development & Communications departments.
o Provide counseling and teaching to veterinary student externs from across the country in the
areas of surgery, medicine, and public health.

? Compliance & Accreditation.
o Must be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Missouri and have a current
BNDD.
o Ensure compliance with all regulatory, safety, security, and operational standards related to
animal care and the practice of veterinary medicine.
o Ensure all services performed at Wayside Waifs meet or exceed all regulatory and/or
professional standards consistent with client expectations.
o Current federal DEA license is preferred.
o Attend training that is required to enhance knowledge and skills and to maintain credentials.
? Assistance with and support of all Vet Clinic Tasks.
? Comply with all of Wayside Waifs policies and best practices.
? Additional tasks as necessary.
Position Requirements:
• Professional:
o Current licensed Missouri veterinarian with current BNDD. or ability to immediately acquire
a provisional Missouri veterinary license.
o Experience with companion animals.
o Excellent written and verbal communication skills and good problem solving skills.
o Ability to work in a team environment within the vet clinic and other departments, while
being flexible in a multi-faceted and ever-evolving organization.
o Ability to work with people in a variety of high-stress, fast paced, and emotional situations
while maintaining a composed and professional demeanor.
o Ability to balance routine surgeries, general medical care, and emergent medical needs.
o Ability to troubleshoot and offer options for operational improvement in the clinic to benefit
the animals and the organization.
• Education:
o Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) required.
o Must be willing to learn new procedures and attend trainings as needed.
• Physical:
o Must be able to lift 50 pounds to waist height for various tasks.
o Repetitive bending, kneeling, stopping, and similar movements required.
o Must be able to physically restrain animals weighing up to and including 125 pounds.
o Able to work with exposure to wet and/or humid condition and outside weather conditions.
o Must be able to perform a significant amount of standing during a typical day, exposure to
fumes, airborne particles, and possible zoonotic diseases.
o Noise level is moderate to high.
o Exposure to animal waste.