Medical Program Director (animal welfare)- San Antonio Pets Alive

Job Title: Medical Program Director

Reports To: Senior Director of Programs & Operations

FLSA Status: Salary (exempt)

Location: Onsite, Marbach Adoption & Care Center

Shift: Full time

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Organizational Overview: San Antonio Pets Alive! (SAPA!) is a private nonprofit organization that saves the lives of dogs and cats that find themselves at San Antonio Animal Care Services by no fault of their own. Last year SAPA! saved the lives of more than 5,000 dogs and cats by finding them loving adoptive families, placing them in foster homes, and transporting them to other communities across the country. In addition, SAPA! provides necessary medical services to ensure each pet is healthy and happy.

Our Core Values: San Antonio Pets Alive! core values deeply held beliefs that represent our highest priorities and fundamental driving forces. They define our passionate belief in what we do and how we choose to resonate with and appeal to the community, adopters, fosters, and volunteers.

Lifesaving. We believe that life is precious. We work tirelessly with compassion, care, and love to save the lives of dogs and cats and to do what is best for the animals, adopters, and fosters.

Integrity. We believe integrity drives us to be honest and responsible in our actions and responsible in our actions and communications with our team and the public.

Stewardship. We are caretakers of the dogs and cats we save. Our stewardship also extends to the gifts we receive, our reputation and the goodwill of our community.

Excellence. We strive for excellence and efficiency in every program we implement, ensuring the best care for the dogs and cats we save and the families who love and adopt them.

Respect. We treat all animals and people with dignity and kindness.

Position Summary:

The Medical Program Director is responsible for the overall management and leadership of the medical operations at San Antonio Pets Alive! (SAPA). This role oversees all shelter veterinary services at all locations, ensuring high-quality, compassionate, and efficient medical care for shelter animals, including routine and emergency treatment, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries, and medical oversight of animals within SAPA's care.

The Medical Clinic Director leads a team of veterinary technicians, and medical support staff while working closely with the Senior Director of Programs and Operations to optimize medical services and lifesaving outcomes. This role also ensures full compliance with all state and federal veterinary regulations, promotes a high standard of animal care, and develops strategies to reduce the length of stay for animals in the shelter. Additionally, this position will manage and assist both staff and contract veterinarians practicing surgical and internal medicine for the organization.

Position Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Leadership and Operational Oversight

· Provide strategic leadership for SAPA's medical clinic, including overseeing daily medical operations, workflow, and efficiency of services.

· Manage and supervise the medical team, including veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other general medical support staff.

· Collaborate with the Executive Director and Senior Director of Programs & Operations to align medical services with SAPA’s mission, ensuring the highest level of lifesaving outcomes.

· Establish and enforce protocols, procedures, and best practices for medical care, ensuring compliance with the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME), DEA, and other regulatory agencies.

· Oversee the medical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of shelter animals, ensuring high-quality and efficient medical services.

· Act as the point of contact for complex medical cases, providing guidance and oversight on treatment plans.

2. Medical Services and Care

· Ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter services and routine medical care for shelter animals.

· Provide oversight for medical treatments, including emergency care, wound management, vaccinations, and preventive health protocols.

· Collaborate with the shelter operations team to prioritize animals for medical care and ensure the most vulnerable animals receive prompt medical attention.

· Develop, implement, and update disease prevention and biosecurity protocols to minimize the spread of illness within the shelter.

· Ensure that medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and controlled substances are properly managed, stored, and inventoried in compliance with DEA and TBVME regulations.

· Oversee medical record accuracy and data management in the shelter’s animal management system (i.e., Shelterluv, etc.).

· Provide medical input and recommendations for euthanasia decisions when humane end-of-life care is necessary.

3. Compliance and Quality Assurance

· Ensure the clinic operates in full compliance with local, state, and federal laws regarding animal care, medical practices, imaging equipment, and controlled substance management.

· Oversee the maintenance of accurate and legally compliant medical records, controlled substance logs, and treatment documentation.

· Monitor surgical and medical outcomes to ensure high standards of care and low rates of postoperative complications.

· Maintain communication with the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME) and DEA regarding compliance matters.

· Ensure the shelter’s medical facilities meet or exceed standards set by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV).

4. Staff Leadership, Training, and Development

· Hire, train, develop, and lead a team of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and medical support staff to provide exceptional animal care.

· Establish clear performance expectations and provide regular feedback and performance evaluations.

· Promote a positive and collaborative team culture focused on professionalism, compassion, and efficiency.

· Provide ongoing training to shelter staff on basic medical care, disease prevention, and emergency response.

· Address and resolve staffing challenges to ensure full medical coverage and service continuity.

5. Resource Management and Budget Oversight

· Work closely with leadership to develop and manage the clinic's annual budget.

· Monitor and manage inventory, ordering, and proper use of medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and surgical equipment.

· Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising the quality of care provided to animals.

· Explore and implement new medical practices, treatments, or technologies that enhance lifesaving capacity.

· Participate in grant writing or funding requests to support increased medical services, specialized treatments, or equipment needs.

6. Community and Partner Collaboration

· Build and maintain positive relationships with external veterinary partners, local animal welfare organizations, and community stakeholders.

· Collaborate with external veterinary clinics for complex medical cases or specialized care when necessary.

· Serve as a public spokesperson for SAPA's medical operations when requested by the Executive Director.

· Engage with the public, donors, and community partners to promote SAPA's mission and lifesaving work.

Job Requirements:

· Proven ability to lead and manage a veterinary team in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

· Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

· Strong problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex medical cases or emergencies.

· Ability to balance animal welfare with the operational and financial realities of a nonprofit organization.

· Proficiency with animal shelter software (Shelterluv) and standard veterinary medical software.

· Knowledge of controlled substance management and record-keeping.

Physical Demands:

· Handling animals daily of all sizes.

· Must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly

· Must be able to bend, stoop, kneel, reach above/below the waist, perform pushing/pulling

· movements, lift, walk, stand for extended periods of time

· Must be able to work in all weather conditions; this position includes working outdoors.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $62,500.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Medical Specialty:

• Critical & Intensive Care
• Surgery
• Trauma Medicine

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Veterinary clinic management: 5 years (Required)
• Nonprofit management: 3 years (Required)
• Spay / neuter program management: 3 years (Required)
• Leadership and operational oversight: 5 years (Required)
• Internal medicine compliance and quality: 3 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• CVT or LVT Certification (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• San Antonio, TX 78245 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $62,500 - $70,000