Companion Animal Surgical Trainer (Avery Creek)

Summary :

ASPCA Spay / Neuter Alliance (ASNA) is the premier training center for high-quality, high-volume companion animal sterilization. Altering up to 20,000 shelter, rescue, and publicly owned companion animals annually, ASNA has trained more than 6,500 veterinary professionals and fourth year veterinary student externs at our campus in Asheville, NC since 2005. ASNA is proud to set the bar for the standard of care in HQHVSN and provide world-class spay and neuter surgical instruction to veterinary professionals and students.

The Veterinarian, ASNA Training (VAT) is a multidimensional position and involves performing and teaching medicine and surgery, leading surgical and training teams, participating in creating robust training materials, rotating between all campus programs, and travelling when needed to provide these services. The VAT is the cohesive element of the surgical and training teams and serves as the primary medical host and guide for trainees as well as providing medical leadership and mentorship for all ASNA medical support staff. This role ensures that individual and team performance is professional and exemplary, patient care is impeccable, and the educational experience received by trainees exceeds their expectations. ASNAs audiences include medical professionals, administrative professionals, shelter and rescue groups, senior veterinary students, and the general public; therefore, it is imperative that our veterinarians serve consistently as enthusiastic ambassadors of ASPCA and its mission. Fundamental expectations for this role are possessing diplomatic and outstanding communication skills and an innate ability to perform as a team member and independently. This position reports to the Director, Veterinarians (DV) and is based in Asheville, North Carolina.

The target start date for this position is May 2026.

Responsibilities :

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to :

Medical Duties, Support, and Training (95%)

Ensure that all aspects of veterinary service, both on-site and off-site platforms, are executed incorporating ASNAs standard of care and best practices, and adhere to federal, state and local regulations

Perform all medical / surgical duties, both on-site and off-site platforms, adhering to ASNAs standardized techniques and protocols

Provide impeccable animal care throughout the patients ASNA experience

Participate in daily operations flow and assume ownership and management of surgical and training team performance

Perform companion animal surgery and medicine with proficiency utilizing HQHVSN techniques

Support and serve as a medical leader and mentor for all medical support staff

Mentor and instruct trainees, which include but are not limited to graduate veterinarians, veterinary students, veterinary teams, and HQHVSN staff, in all aspects of HQHVSN medical and surgical techniques, operations, and protocols

Ensure that trainees receive the educational experience outlined in their curriculum

Serve as the direct contact for assigned trainees during their visit

Ensure that training programs adhere to ASNAS standardized surgical and medical techniques and protocols

Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and our clients by using low-stress handling techniques

Participate in educational development and administrative duties which include, but are not limited to creating training material, writing training reports, and evaluating trainees

Participate in onboarding and training ASNA veterinarians and other staff as needed

Participate in drug inventory and provide expert drug handling ensuring compliance with DEA regulations, ASNA protocols, and all other federal, state, and local laws

Participate in relationships and communications with private sector veterinarians, professional associations, professional advisors, the general public, vendors, shelter and rescue groups, mentees, and external ASPCA departments and professionals

Participate in medical and operational duties and quality control

Drive transport vehicles as needed

Perform any and all duties of a graduate veterinarian, and any and all duties of a registered veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, and kennel assistant as needed

Professional Development and Organizational Support (5%)

Commit to operating in alignment with our Core Values of C ommitment, O wnership, T eam, E levate, and I mpact!

Enforce all policies related to operational and environmental safety of patients, staff, and visitors related directly to medical operations

Serve in any role as needed and qualified for to support all daily operational processes for successful and safe completion of the days surgeries and training program goals

Fully engage in the self-performance management process including annual reviews, regular feedback sessions, required compliance training, and goal setting

Maintain all licensures and credentials pertinent to the position

Actively seek individual development opportunities in relation to job function

Travel up to 15% as needed

Under the supervision of the SDMS and in collaboration with the Director, Veterinarians (DV), ensure : Smooth and efficient operation of ASNA surgical, medical, and training programs

Program policies and strategies support ASNAs high standards of quality and best practices

All aspects of operations are enforced with campus-wide consistency and adherence to all federal, state, and local regulations

A positive learning environment across campus supportive of ASNA culture

Participate in assigned ASNA department and program specific projects, cross-departmental working groups, and any other assigned commitments to support ASPCAs 2030 goals

Perform all other duties as assigned by the DV or the ASNA Senior Leadership Team`

Qualifications

Exemplifies the ASPCAs Core Values : Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals

Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes

Believes in Team that we are stronger together

Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible

Focuses on Impact , specifically making change for animals

Possess outstanding interpersonal communication skills

Ability to plan, organize, and effectively present ideas and concepts clearly in verbal and written form

Ability to multitask and deal professionally with high levels of stress in an environment of changing daily operational priorities

Ability to work in both a team environment and independently

Ability to work in physically and mentally challenging conditions

Flexibility in schedule to accommodate program needs, which could include varied daily shifts, weekends, evenings, and holidays

Perform 35 spay / neuter surgeries in a normal workday

Ability to understand that patient death is a regrettable but an inevitable part of the medical profession and practice a healthy coping strategy for such events

Possess valid NC veterinarian license or obtain one within 60 days

Possess valid NC drivers license

Possess working knowledge of basic computer / technology skills including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

Ability to lift 35 lbs / 16 kgs without assistance and over this weight with assistance, and the ability to consistently stand, bend, lift, and climb during the course of a regular work shift

Education and Work Experience :

Degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education accredited school of veterinary medicine OR has completed the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) or the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE)

Passing of the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) or National Board Examination (NBE)

Fear Free Shelter certification within 60 days of hire

Minimum 1 year as a veterinarian in a clinical setting including soft tissue surgery experience

Preferred 1 year medical team leadership

Preferred 1 year as a HQHVSN veterinarian

Preferred 1 year in a teaching, intensive coaching, or learning environment

Compensation and Benefits :

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.

The target range for this position is $123,000-$130,000.

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website .

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