Shelter Veterinarian

Animal Welfare Association

Job Description

Objective:
Provide veterinary leadership to the shelter through active management, administrative oversight, and hands-on animal care. Develop, implement, and evaluate protocols for veterinary medical and surgical care for shelter animals in accordance with best practice standards. Provide high-quality medical and surgical care, including spay/neuter and other procedures, for shelter animals. Coordinate with veterinarians, veterinary staff, other departments, and off-site veterinary partners to optimize animal care. Ensure compliance with state and federal laws governing animal care, veterinary medicine, reportable diseases, and controlled substances.

Working Relationships:
• Work closely with Shelter Managers/Supervisors.
• Coordinate care and maintain relationships with off-site veterinary partners.
• Communicate and collaborate with supporting departments.

Essential Functions

Administrative Veterinary Medical Care:
• Develop, apply, evaluate, monitor, and review veterinary standard operating procedures for the care, diagnosis, and medical/surgical treatment of shelter animals.
• Ensure compliance with state laws regarding rabies and other reportable diseases, including bite quarantines, rabies testing, and disease reporting.
• Oversee ordering, handling, and recording of controlled substances, ensuring compliance with DEA and state regulations.
• Develop, apply, and review disinfection and sanitation protocols to limit infectious and zoonotic diseases in the shelter.
• Remain knowledgeable about best practices in shelter medicine and surgery, including those set forth by ASPCA/Humane Alliance and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, and implement them as appropriate.
• Stay current with new equipment and techniques to provide more comprehensive veterinary care internally.

General Veterinary Medical Care Operations:
• Perform spay/neuter surgeries for shelter dogs, cats, and rabbits, including pediatrics, in-heat and pregnant animals, pyometras, and cryptorchids.
• Perform additional soft tissue surgeries for shelter animals such as mass removals, enucleations, and amputations.
• Perform basic dental procedures for shelter animals.
• Conduct physical examinations and develop treatment and monitoring plans for healthy, sick, and injured animals.
• Provide medical support for shelter and foster animals, including follow-up on post-surgical cases.
• Manage daily medical rounds for shelter animals.
• Participate in animal outcome decisions, including medical and behavioral euthanasia.
• Perform euthanasia when appropriate and train/certify euthanasia technicians in accordance with state law.
• Other duties as assigned.

Data Management:
• Ensure medical records, electronic and/or written, are accurate and complete in accordance with DEA, State Veterinary Board, state laws, and other applicable regulations.
• Maintain accurate records of controlled substance use and storage.

Employee Management:
• Serve as a positive, motivating leader for all staff, promoting the mission and programs of the organization.
• Foster open, direct, and solution-focused communication within the team.
• In conjunction with the Lead Veterinary Technician, hire, supervise, train, motivate, orient, and evaluate shelter medical staff and interns/volunteers.
• Provide performance feedback for medical staff, including 90 Day and annual reviews, and deliver counseling for employee misconduct or policy violations with appropriate resolution.
• Identify staff training needs and develop plans to address them; create and lead training programs for medical and shelter staff and supervise those selected for specialized training opportunities.
• Support interns for their specific activities within the department.
• Plan and lead regular medical staff and shelter staff meetings.

Financial Management:
• Work with shelter management and leadership staff to assist in developing and monitoring departmental budgets.
• Maximize resources by using funds efficiently to meet animals’ veterinary care needs while honoring donor intent and maintaining financial health.

Position Requirements:
• Humane treatment of animals
• Adherence to all organizational policies, procedures, and safety standards
• Knowledge of normal and abnormal clinical signs and behavior of animals pre- and post- surgery
• Knowledge of veterinary medical terminology, diagnosis and treatment of animal illness and injuries, veterinary soft tissue surgery, and animal handling and restraint
• Knowledge of disinfecting procedures, antisepsis, and asepsis
• Ability to do mathematics for drug dosing
• Commitment to continuing and continual education to stay abreast of updates in veterinary medicine and to communicate new information to staff
• Familiarity with federal and state-controlled substance laws and regulations
• Familiarity with the New Jersey state veterinary practice act and laws regarding euthanasia, reportable diseases, and rabies protocols
• Flexible and efficient time management skills and the ability to prioritize and multitask
• Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate information clearly to clients and staff
• Analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to identify areas of improvement
• Ability to learn quickly and efficiently
• Ability to accept and explain the concepts of prepubescent sterilization, prerelease sterilization of adopted animals, and humane euthanasia
• Effective budgetary skills
• Keep electronic and/or written accurate and complete medical records in accordance with state laws
.

Qualifications:
• Degree in veterinary medicine from an accredited school
• Licensed to practice veterinary medicine in New Jersey, or ability to obtain license prior to employment
• Ability to acquire and hold a DEA and CDS license on behalf of the organization
• 5-7 years’ experience working as a veterinarian in a shelter setting
• 3-5 years’ experience managing veterinary technician staff

Working Conditions, Physical & Mental Requirements:
• Work performed in animal shelter with high exposure to animals; job involves animal handling and potential exposure to dangerous and fractious or feral animals.
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, high noise levels, wet surfaces, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects, and extreme environmental temperatures
• Potential exposure to various substances including but not limited to: dish soap, chlorhexidine, accelerated hydrogen peroxide, bleach, formalin, isoflurane gas, pressurized steam, and sharps including needles and surgical blades
• Ability to lift up to 50lb unassisted, and over 50lb with assistance is required.
• Must be able to work standing or sitting for 8 or more hours, bend and kneel repeatedly, move through tightly cramped areas, work and reach on hands and knees, and use a ladder and or step stool
• Must have good hearing including ability to distinguish changes in pitch. Must have acceptable sense of touch, smell, and balance.
• Must have good vision including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception and ability to focus. Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination.
• Must have good range of motion in joints especially wrist, knees, elbows, back, hands, and fingers
• Must speak fluent English.
• Must be able to work efficiently, effectively, and calmly under stressful or frustrating conditions
• Must be able to respond quickly to a variety of medical situations, rapidly and accurately process information, make decisions, delegate tasks, recognize a need for assistance and ask for help
• Must be able to cope with death and euthanasia
• Varying shifts including weekdays, weekends, and some holidays are required

Pay: $115,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Employee discount
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Retirement plan
Vision insurance