Chief Veterinarian

Chief Veterinarian Position

SALARY: Negotiable Depending on Experience

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Veterinarian position is responsible for the leadership and daily direction of the veterinary services department at Wayside Waifs. The medical authority for the Organization, the position manages the health of the animal population, the surgical program, and disease control protocols. The Chief Veterinarian oversees supervision of 10+ department employees and directly manages 3+ staff members.

The position serves as a key member of the Organization's leadership team. The schedule is flexible, but is generally 4 or 5 days a week, and may include a weekend day. On-call duties may be required, and emergency hours may be implemented during emergency situations.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Shelter Medicine

• Responsible for the medical examination, care, monitoring, and health of animals in the care of Wayside Waifs, including foster animals, in compliance with basic standards of care, Wayside protocols and government regulations. Willingness to assist Wayside's Community Outreach program by treating publicly owned animals on an as-need basis.
• Administers vaccines, performs spay/neuter and other surgeries, dental prophylaxis and extractions, etc.
• Ensures accurate completion of daily medical treatment records for all animals and interprets diagnostics as required.
• Performs health assessments on animals and treats as necessary.
• Performs emergency veterinary care; assists in rescue response and is responsible for the medical side of the Organization's disaster response program.
• Develops and manages preventative medicine protocols.
• Updates training, diagnostic, and treatment protocols pertaining to animal health.
• Develops and implements program goals, objectives and outcome measurements that are consistent with the long-term strategic goals of Wayside Waifs.
• Serves on the Animal Welfare Committee. Works collaboratively with the other Animal Welfare Committee members to make decisions on animal pathway planning including making euthanasia decisions.
• Performs animal euthanasia as needed.
• Acts as a liaison with other veterinarians/veterinary clinics/animal control regarding the treatment of ill/injured stray animals, shelter animals or animals adopted from the Organization.
• Engages in a high level of communication with other team members throughout the Organization to ensure operational program efficiency and efficacy.
• Counsels and advises adopters and provides treatment for recently adopted animals if necessary. Responds promptly to applicable concerns and complaints.
• Serves as medical authority and supports staff who manage the medical population and make decisions about treatment plans by evaluating veterinarian recommendations, staffing and shelter resources.
• Oversees the coordination of all controlled substance processes, including ensuring compliance with medical staff activity related to ethical and legal compliance, Organization rules and regulations, and all external regulatory agencies including but not limited to DEA, DHHS, federal and state mandates.
• Motivates, leads and inspires a high performing team and develops and retains veterinary clinic staff and volunteers.
• Drives collaboration and teamwork between the veterinary clinic and other departments and demonstrates a commitment to teambuilding through modeling a positive and respectful attitude toward all employees, volunteers, clients and partners.
• Trains, develops, rewards, coaches and disciplines staff as appropriate. Recruits and hires staff as necessary.
• Budgetary responsibilities include budget creation, oversite and management. Responsible for associated invoices and statements from vendors, including contract veterinarians.
• Actively participates as a member of management team; attends applicable meetings.
• Responsible for coverage of the on-call services of the departments. Provides coverage for and/or arranges for coverage for vacation, sick relief, on-call, etc.
• Understands, follows, and ensures staff follow all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment.
• Ensures adequate inventory and monitoring of supplies, medications and all drugs, including department DEA-regulated substances. Holds DEA license and ensures DEA license coverage for the Organization.
• Conducts/assists with staff and/or volunteer training related to veterinary care, disease control/animal health issues and more as required.
• Ensures department staff compliance with medical protocols and treatments, disease control standards and personnel policies and procedures.
• Models behavior and professional standards, policy and procedure adherence, and communication expectations. Consistently meets attendance and punctuality expectations.
• Oversees the Veterinary Preceptorship Program; develops curriculum and manages students.
• Resolves conflicts, and ensures that all staff perform their functions in a professional manner consistent with Wayside Waifs policies, procedures, and best practices.

Stewardship

• Acts as a principal steward of Wayside Waifs' resources. Ensures that all Wayside Waifs' resources are utilized properly, legally & ethically, and that all those entrusted to manage or represent the affairs of the Organization are properly directed and highly effective.
• Upholds the mission, values, and principles of Wayside Waifs at all times.

Understands, follows, and ensures staff follow all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment.

Responsible for grant related medical information and statistics.

Acts as veterinary spokesperson for the Organization as needed

Testifies in court as needed in support of humane investigation cases.

Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/ KEY COMPETENCIES

Professional

• Excellent veterinary medical skills, knowledge of shelter medicine, epidemiology and animal behavior assessment.
• Able to balance routine surgery, other medical care, and emergency medical needs.
• Licensed Missouri Veterinarian; experience with companion animals preferred.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible veterinary medicine experience.
• Demonstrated experience in management of staff, including coaching on performance improvement and accountability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work with people in a variety of high-stress, and emotional situations.
• A passion for the mission of Wayside Waifs and for continue development of self and the next generation of shelter veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
• Solid computer skills required

Education/Accreditation

• DVM or VMD degree required with active and current Missouri license to practice (or obtain license soon after hiring).
• Must hold or be qualified and eligible to obtain a federal DEA license.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

Physical/Environmental

• Must be able to lift 50lbs to waist-height.
• Repetitive standing, bending, kneeling, stooping and similar movements are also required.
• Must be able to physically restrain dogs weighing up to and including 100lbs.
• Employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions.
• Significant amount of standing during a typical day, exposure to fumes, animal smells or airborne particles.
• The noise level is moderate to high.
• Will be working with and exposed to a variety of animals and animal waste.
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, hazardous chemicals, anesthetics and sharp objects. Field conditions may be encountered.

Just as Wayside Waifs has committed to providing compassionate care for the thousands of homeless animals who enter our shelter each year, we are equally committed to providing a healthy and humane working environment for our employees. Wayside Waifs is an EOE and welcomes diversity in candidates for employment.