Clinical Veterinarian

SUMMARY: Assists the EVP of Animal Health and Welfare in providing veterinary services for animals at the zoo, including examinations, tests, diagnoses, treatments, preventive medical care, and research by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Provides medical and surgical treatment for sick or injured animals; performs or supervises diagnostic testing; administers medications and instructs other Zoo employees in the administration of medication to animals; supervises the anesthesia of animals; supervises the handling and restraint of animals requiring treatment or hospitalization.

2. Monitors general health and well-being of the collection and continually assesses and improves the preventative health care protocols for all species.

3. Participates in comprehensive preventative medicine program for all collection animals including annual reviews, routine examinations, vaccination, reproduction, nutrition, zoonoses prevention, parasite and infectious disease control, quarantine, and medical record maintenance.

4. Participates in management of the hospital pharmacy.

5. Performs gross necropsies to establish the causes of death; makes recommendations regarding the disposition of deceased animals.

6. Maintains accurate and thorough computerized medical records.

7. Examines animals before shipment; orders and evaluates pertinent tests; and issues health certificates.

8. Actively consults with animal management staff and keepers to identify and anticipate needed medical services.

9. Actively collaborates with the wellness department staff to bring an integrated approach to zoo animal health and behavioral care. Utilizes and adheres to the zoo’s quality of life assessment program and employs data in decision making.

10. Observes and complies with all applicable Federal, State, County and City laws, regulations and ordinances, including AZA, DEA, USFWS, CDFW, NOAA, OSHA and USDA requirements.

11. Provides direction to help maintain the productivity needed to complete the daily tasks by the hospital staff.

12. Works with Hospital Manager to facilitate scheduling, ordering and management of the hospital pharmacy.

13. Develops and promotes a team approach with animal division and hospital staff.

14. Provides technical training to improve the skill level of other staff members.

15. Participate in teaching medical skills to visiting veterinary student externs.

16. May produce and submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals.

17. May represent the Zoo at conferences with presentations.

18. Interacts with Zoo visitors courteously and offers proper attention at all times.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION: D.V.M. or V.M.D. from an AVMA accredited institution and be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of California or be eligible to obtain California state licensing within six months of start of employment.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum five years of full time clinical zoological medicine experience preferred, or the equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities in the practice of zoo veterinary medicine. Other abilities and requirements include:

Excellent medical and surgical skills are essential including strong abilities with general anesthesia for a wide variety of species in a field environment.

Excellent interpersonal and professional skills necessary to establish and maintain positive working relationships with hospital staff, management, all zoo employees, members of the public, media, and donors.

Proficiency in utilizing ultrasound, radiography, flexible and rigid endoscopy equipment.

Ability to obtain and maintain a valid federal DEA license.

Ability to obtain and maintain USDA-APHIS accreditation.

Proven record of involvement in the zoo community (published papers, articles, research projects) is preferred.

Possession of a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

Possess a high level of energy, be self motivated, and have a commitment to professional excellence.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATES: California license to practice veterinary medicine, USDA accreditation for the issuance of health certificates, DEA registration certificate for the use of controlled substances. Board certification in zoological medicine or eligibility to take the board examination in zoological medicine administered by the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) is desirable.