Surgical Apprenticeship
12-Month High-Volume Spay/Neuter Surgery & Leadership Program
Cahaba Spay Neuter, Pelham, AL – Flagship Training Center
Position starts July 2026. APPLICATION DEADLINE MAY 1, 2026. Application is located below:
Build Surgical Mastery. Step Into Leadership.
This is not a traditional associate position or internship.
The Founding Surgical Apprentice Program is a 12-month, high-volume surgical training experience designed to develop confident, efficient, and steady surgeons — with a clear pathway toward future leadership.
You will train directly in a structured, high-functioning clinic environment with an emphasis on repetition, refinement, and real responsibility.
What You’ll Do
Perform surgery Monday–Friday in a high-quality, high-volume setting
Average ~5 hours of surgery per day
Gain extensive experience in spay/neuter procedures
Participate in additional soft tissue surgeries, including but not limited to:
Mass removals
Enucleations
Cherry eye correction
Limb amputations
Develop consistency, efficiency, and complication management skills
Over the course of the year, you will approach ~1,000 hours of surgical experience.
How the Year Is Structured
Months 1–6: Build Technical Confidence
Focus on surgical technique and efficiency
High repetition with direct feedback
Strengthen intraoperative decision-making
Develop calm, consistent surgical habits
Months 7–12: Step Into Leadership
Continue high-volume surgery
Mentor visiting veterinarians (1–2 weeks/month)
Help train externs and students
Begin contributing to surgical education and curriculum
Schedule
Surgery Monday–Friday
15–17 surgical days per month
Clinic closed ~1 week per month
This built-in time supports rest, recovery, and optional travel.
Global & Educational Opportunities
Participate in international spay/neuter work
Build relationships with global sterilization organizations
Contribute to surgical training content and case discussions
Help develop educational materials and curriculum
Compensation & Benefits
$55,000 annual salary
All program-related travel expenses covered (including international opportunities)
Direct mentorship in a high-volume surgical setting
Built-in recovery week each month
Leadership development throughout the program
Why This Program Is Different
Compared to traditional internships and residencies, this program offers:
Significantly higher surgical volume
Extensive primary surgeon experience
Direct, individualized mentorship
Early exposure to teaching and leadership roles
Your Environment
Cahaba Spay Neuter is a structured, team-oriented clinic focused on:
Efficiency with high-quality care
Standardized surgical protocols
Clear communication and accountability
Continuous improvement
I am committed to developing the entire team. Veterinary support staff are actively encouraged to pursue licensure and advanced certifications, creating a collaborative, growth-focused environment.
What Comes Next
Upon completion of the program, you may be considered for a Medical Director position within a growing network of clinics.
When possible, new clinic development will be aligned with your preferred geographic location or region of interest.
Leadership roles are earned based on performance, consistency, and alignment with program values.
Who This Is For
Veterinarians seeking high-volume surgical experience
Individuals who value structure, feedback, and repetition
Those interested in mentorship, teaching, and leadership
Surgeons who want to accelerate their clinical growth
Program Timeline
Start Date: July–August 2026
Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
Apply
Submit:
CV
Written responses to application questions
Selected candidates will be invited to interview.
Build Your Skillset. Expand Your Impact.
This program is designed to provide a focused year of surgical and professional development within a high-performing clinical environment.