Associate Veterinarian, Relief/Temporary

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Temporary (Relief) Associate Veterinarian is responsible for assisting the Veterinarian in the health management of the living population at the South Carolina Aquarium, with special emphasis on teleosts and elasmobranchs, small mammals, birds and reptiles, and the rehabilitation patients in the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center. The individual will work closely with the animal care staff and the Veterinarian and Veterinary Assistant with coordination of medical cases and treatments. This is a temporary position for approximately 2 to 4 months, with possibility for extension based on needs of the facility.

Essential Functions:

• Assist the Veterinarian and Veterinary Assistant with medical case management, including diagnoses, treatment, surgery, and postmortem/pathological examinations, as well as quarantine implementation and exams (fecals, blood smears, skin scrapes, etc.)
• Provide emergency and after-hours veterinary care as part of an on-call rotation schedule, with regularly scheduled weekend coverage to ensure 24/7 care (collection and rescue response)
• Assist with the medical care and regulatory compliance of the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center
• Assist with health certificates, animal transfers, and acquisitions
• Maintain a medical records system (TRACKS) that is accurate, thorough, and up to date
• Interact with animal care staff for education, communication, and hands-on procedural training and foster hands-on staff involvement with procedures, examinations, and diagnoses
• Maintain compliance (AZA, USDA, State) for all lab operations and equipment (e.g. oxygen storage, vaccinations, licenses and certifications)
• Be responsible for proper use and regulatory compliance of controlled substances
• Maintain up to date knowledge of recent advances in veterinary medicine
• Adhere to the South Carolina Aquarium Policies

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend regularly scheduled meetings (rounds, departmental meetings, all staff meetings)
• Foster strong relations with visitors, volunteers, staff and contractors by promoting a positive attitude, cooperation, and providing high standards of care
• Support staff and visiting students’ professional development and participate in Aquarium sponsored programs and events as needed
• Perform additional duties as requested

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficient in a variety of clinical tasks including blood, fecal and urine sampling and analysis, and cytology interpretation
• Experience with advanced imaging and clinical techniques including onsite computed tomography, radiology, endoscopy, and ultrasonography
• Familiarity and advanced understanding of aquatic life support systems and water quality
• Strong knowledge of aquatic biology and clinical pathology
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills along with a mastery of written and verbal communication
• Capacity to take control in an emergency with a calming demeanor and quickly make decisions
• Capacity to empathize and work with staff to provide the best possible care for the living population
• Self-motivated, goal oriented, and able to work independently
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and after hours as required

Qualifications:

• DVM or VMD degree from accredited university
• License to practice veterinary medicine in State of South Carolina or ability to obtain one prior to beginning position
• Driver’s License
• USDA/APHIS accreditation type II for health certificates or ability to obtain
• Prefer at least 1 year of experience in a zoological or Aquarium facility or completion of an internship/residency program in zoological/aquatic medicine
• Preferred 1 year experience with sea turtle rehabilitation

Supervision of Others:

Veterinary externs, Husbandry/Sea turtle interns, graduate students, volunteers, staff, etc. as deemed necessary.

Physical Requirements:

Average walking, standing, bending/stooping/crouching, climbing ladders, carrying up to 50 lb, sitting, kneeling, balancing, pushing and pulling, crawling.

Working Conditions:

• Working nights and weekends required, some travel may be required as part of on call rescue responsibilities
• 24/7 emergency availability required
• Normal office environment
• Contact with Aquarium guests, contractors, vendors, and business associates
• Must be flexible with schedule
• Exposure to elements such as sun, hot, cold, dirty, noisy, wet, frequent temperature changes, poor lighting, etc.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not construed to be an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel classified.

The Aquarium is an "at-will" employer, and as such, employment with the Aquarium is not for a fixed term, or definite period and may be terminated at the will of either party, with or without cause, and without prior notice.