Medical Director

Ruff Start Rescue

Job Description

As our Medical Director, you'll play a key role in examining, diagnosing, and treating animals within the rescue to maintain or establish their health and prepare for adoption. The Medical Director will ultimately be responsible for managing the quality of care for all animals at Ruff Start Rescue. You would be responsible for performing routine surgical procedures with surgical excellence, and bring with you the knowledge and experience of high-volume spay/neuter surgical practices. This role will oversee the surgical training of Registered Veterinary Technicians, new DVM’s, and DVM students, as well.

This role will also allow you to expand your leadership skills by managing Ruff Start’s veterinary staff and optimizing veterinary care for the rescue. The Medical Director will provide budgetary oversight of the Vetting Department and will be able to implement and standardize veterinary practices and protocols to meet industry best practices.

As the Medical Director, you'll be able to apply your knowledge of shelter medicine, animal health protocols, surgical procedures, and animal health on a daily basis, all while showcasing your leadership and communication skills.

The perfect fit for us is someone who has a track record of achieving results through teamwork and collaboration! We are looking for not only an animal person, but a people person. We are a close-knit group of experienced animal welfare professionals who pride ourselves on collaboration and mentorship. We not only take care of the animals, but also each other. The Medical Director must have a passion for rescue, and comes to work each day with a confident and positive attitude!

Ruff Start Rescue, a highly regarded foster-based nonprofit companion animal rescue, is looking for qualified candidates to serve as the Medical Director. This role will be vital in executing Ruff Start’s mission, vision, and strategies.

As the Medical Director, you will show:

Compassion by demonstrating honesty, integrity, and discretion. You will be highly skilled at handling sensitive and confidential situations and will have a strong sense of empathy for companion animals.

Commitment by playing a key role in examining, diagnosing, and treating animals within the rescue to maintain or establish their health and prepare for adoption. You will be responsible for managing the quality of care for all animals at Ruff Start Rescue by performing routine surgical and veterinary procedures with excellence.

Connection by possessing excellent verbal and written communication skills, and having public speaking and presentation experience. You will regularly engage with volunteers, fosters, community members, and staff.

Innovation by providing budgetary oversight of the Vetting Department, and will have the ability to implement and standardize veterinary practices and protocols to meet best practices within the animal welfare industry.

Authenticity by taking care of the animals and those within the Ruff Start network. You will have a passion for rescue and come to work each day with a confident and positive attitude.

You will support and commit to Ruff Start Rescue’s mission of being dedicated to saving the lives of animals in need. We improve animal welfare in communities through adoption, education, and providing resources for people and pets.

To be qualified for this role, you must have:

DVM Degree with an active veterinary license, in good standing in the State of Minnesota

The ability to obtain and maintain a DEA license (Ruff Start will pay for the license for our location)

Demonstrated knowledge or willingness to learn shelter medicine practices and protocols

A valid driver’s license with reliable transportation

Supervisory knowledge to include training methods, motivation, and decision-making techniques.

The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and volunteers within the organization as well as local, state, and national animal welfare organizations.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with public speaking and presentation experience. Will regularly be engaging with volunteers, fosters, community members, and staff.

This position description describes the general nature and qualifications for the Medical Director position. It does not include all duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

Location: Princeton, MN

Availability: Exempt, Full-Time (40+ hours)

Salary: $100,000-$110,000

Benefits:

Work-life balance! This position is salaried with a general schedule of Monday through Friday 8 AM to 4 PM, with no overnights or on-call hours. There may be earlier or later hours due to scheduled appointments and surgeries.

May be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

Health insurance is available for employees on the first of the month following 30 days. RSR will pay 50% of the employee's monthly premium.

Retirement plan with up to a 3% employer contribution available after 90 days.

After 90 days, Additional Insurance options are available. You pay a 100% premium at a discounted group rate.

Short term disability

Life Insurance

Dental Insurance

Accident Insurance

Hospital Indemnity Insurance

Critical Illness Insurance

Cancer Insurance

Vision Insurance

PTO

First-year 10 days

Years 1 and 2 15 days (3 Weeks)

Year 3 and 4 20 Days (4 Weeks)

Year 5 and 6 25 Days (5 Weeks)

Year 7 + 30 Days (6 Weeks)

When an employee rolls over to a new year bracket, we prorate from their anniversary date.

PTO carryover

Ruff Start Rescue recognizes seven paid holidays each year. If a holiday falls on a weekend, it will be observed on the workday closest to the holiday.

One floating holiday

Employee Discount

Professional Development courses cover up to $200 annually.

DEA License Fee

This is a full time job