Shelter Veterinarian - ACS

Veterinary Services Position

This position is responsible for performing professional veterinary services in the city-operated shelter. Incumbent in this position provides humane veterinary and medical services to a variety of species. This position supervises, reviews, and participates in the work of team members or volunteers providing veterinary services ensuring quality of work and adherence to established policies and procedures. Incumbent will perform or assist with euthanasia, perform high quality and high volume spay neuter surgical procedures. Incumbent in this position will manage the ICU of critically ill patients and performs complex technical emergency and surgical procedures. Incumbent in this position is guided generally by veterinarian licensure guidelines as regulated by the Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, shelter policies, and procedures, along with all tenets of applicable federal, city, county ordinances, and state laws. Independent judgment is exercised in the diagnosis, care, and medical treatment of animals. The incumbent in this position must utilize independent judgment in different areas of the division. The incumbent's other actions are dictated by established policies and procedures, civil and criminal laws, and the codes established by the city and county. Position reports to the Deputy Director.

The purpose and mission of Animal Care Services is advocating animal welfare, adoption, and rescue. The agency does this by protecting and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of pets and livestock in Marion County. The agency is able to do this by cultivating a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment in order for our workforce to meet the needs of the constituents of Indianapolis and Marion County.

The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

Position Responsibilities

• Diagnoses animal injury and disease and observes animals in order to determine treatment plan and need for continued care.
• Performs a variety of needed surgeries and repairs including spaying and neutering and administers medicine or conducts routine health care procedures.
• Establishes protocols for providing compassionate and user-friendly veterinary services.
• Ensures all care and treatment of shelter animals complies with established regulations and medical services are performed in accordance with divisions policies and standard veterinary guidelines.
• Administer and monitor the use of controlled substances and gives rabies vaccinations.
• Prepares health certificates for multiple species travelling across state lines.
• Perform and interpret in-house diagnostics including digital radiology, in-house blood chemistries, in-house complete blood counts, urinalysis etc.
• Develops and implements a culture of learning in the area of humane animal sheltering, diseases, emergency medicine and HQHVSN.
• Conducts inspections of kennel and related facilities providing professional advice to team members and public regarding zoonosis and the prevention and detection of diseases.
• Evaluates animal health and nutritional status of sheltered animals on a daily basis and provides consultation to management regarding animal husbandry, disinfection, and care.
• Receives and reviews reports from team members regarding the animal's health and recommends veterinary treatment as indicated under standard guidelines of the veterinary professional.
• Evaluates, provides treatment, and supervises care for neonatal animals that require human rearing or intervention in maternal care.
• Provides health assessment of animals entering or leaving the animal care center; maintains individual animal and group medical records as required.
• Assists in the development and implementation of operating policies and procedures for the veterinary or kennel operations within division guidelines.
• Serves as liaison with local and regional veterinary communities establishing and maintaining positive relationships.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of shelter medicine; maintains professional license(s) through continuing education seminars and training as required.
• Performs field evaluations in partnership with ACS enforcement team members or IMPD as needed to assist in the preparation of legal cases.
• Serves as an expert veterinary witness as needed and called upon.
• Prepares and submits budget requests for operations of the division within established budgetary guidelines.
• Must maintain confidentiality at all times.

Qualifications

• Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine Degree and license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Indiana.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in the practice of veterinary medicine, public health, or environmental health
• Maintain Indiana Controlled Substance License.
• Requires knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of veterinary medicine including surgical procedures, operations, and activities of an animal shelter.
• Must know methods to safely chemically immobilize and anesthesia a wide variety of animals.
• Must be able to provide proper professional health care to animals in crisis and non-crisis situations.
• Must efficiently and effectively prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to operate and care for animal control equipment; inoculate and medicate animals.
• Must be able to effectively respond to calls for services; recognize normal and abnormal animal behavior; manage potentially dangerous animals in a safe manner.
• Must have an ability to remain calm and effective during a crisis event in an emotionally charged environment.
• Must be compassionate in all areas of animal welfare.
• Must be comfortable being around and interacting with animals of all sizes and breeds.
• Must understand operational characteristics and services of animal programs including field and kennel operations, principles of animal behavior and care, identification of a variety of breeds of animals, methods and techniques of animal collection, impoundment, and registration.
• Must adhere to state and local laws, codes, regulations, and occupational hazards.
• Must have great communications skills both orally and written and be able to adapt to different tones and messaging to meet the needs of different audiences in different settings.
• Must be able to work under extremely stressful conditions.
• Must exhibit tact in collaborating with other professionals and team members.
• Must have knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications
• At least two (2) years of experience in a supervisory capacity and proven management skills with the ability to motivate and manage a diverse group of team members and experience managing and working with union team members.
• Knowledge of the proper form for anesthesia monitoring equipment and use of a variety of drug delivery systems unique to zoological medicine and unique nutritional needs of a wide variety of animal species.
• Knowledge of the methods of occupational hazards and standard kennel safety practices and pertinent federal, state, local laws, codes, and regulations.