Shelter Veterinarian

Overview 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. 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. 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 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 To apply, send resumes to: View email address on click.appcast.io Seniority level Mid-Senior level Employment type Full-time Job function Health Care Provider Industries Non-profit Organizations #J-18808-Ljbffr