Veterinarian (DVM) Responder

Overview

The ASPCA National Field & Disaster Response (NFDR) Team deploys nationwide to remove animals from crisis situations caused by natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires; or by animal abuse like animal fighting, puppy mills, hoarding, or neglect.


We are seeking Veterinarians (DVMs) interested in responding alongside the NFDR Team on deployments - typically lasting one week - to various domestic locations.


DVM Responders play a critical role by ensuring a high quality of care and timely treatment decisions for all animals. The DVM Responder may also support the Forensic Sciences Team in the examination, documentation, and collection of evidence from victims of animal cruelty. In this role, the Veterinarian will be expected to split time between sheltered animal care and field operations work, based upon the current needs of the NFDR Team.


About this Opportunity:

• This is a contingent position and the person hired will be employed through a third-party staffing agency.
• The target hiring range for this temporary role is $120 per hour and may be modified in the future.
• Because our work is unpredictable, this variable hour opportunity does not have a set schedule or start date.

Where and When You'll Work:

DVM Responder support is requested wherever and whenever the need arises. By joining our team as a DVM Responder, you'll have the opportunity to assist in animal cruelty, Crisis and Disaster response and emergency sheltering.


Expectations are as follows:

• Commitment, when possible, of 7 or more days of travel (2 travel days and 5 working days)
• This is a variable-hour opportunity . NFDR deployments occur on an as-needed basis and cases may last several weeks or months depending on need. There may be periods of limited communication regarding cases, and our team will contact you when your credentials and location align with an active deployment need.
• Valid licensure for the state in which we're deployed
• Ability to activate quickly, often with only a few days to one week notice .

Responsibilities

Veterinary Care & Clinical Case Management

• Provide timely, high-quality veterinary care to dogs, cats, and other species as needed, in accordance with ASPCA medical protocols and shelter medicine principles and best practices
• Conduct daily medical rounds of all animals in the shelter upon arrival each day and regularly participate in MBS population rounds; review current treatment schedules, medical concern boards, and rechecks daily to ensure timely delivery of care
• Ensure appropriate use of quarantine and isolation spaces to manage population health effectively; ensure appropriate use of PPE
• Provide skilled and efficient diagnosis and treatment of patients with timely recognition of, and planning for, medical conditions requiring care through outside veterinary partners
• Ensure animals receive medical exams upon admission and are provided with ongoing care as appropriate
• Complete certificates of veterinary inspection, as appropriate, for transfer of animals between facilities and/or placement of animals released from care
• Participate in pathway planning to ensure appropriate and timely disposition decisions that consider animals' physical, medical, social and behavioral needs collectively
• Perform humane euthanasia following disposition decisions and/or in the event of urgent medical need, sometimes for a large number of animals at a time
• Support the collection of evidence and documentation of examinations of live and deceased victims of animal cruelty, including but not limited to the performance of clinical forensic exams and gross necropsies, completion of reports for law enforcement, and testifying as an expert witness, as needed
• Utilize the appropriate chain of custody, evidence transfer, and disposition procedure for forensic evidence

Collaboration & Administration

• Provide high-quality patient and population care
• Inform and advise relevant stakeholders of medical conditions of animals at the shelter and in foster care, including outbreaks of infectious disease; ensure adequate communication and facilitate continuity of care if veterinary responders are utilized in temporary shelters
• Oversee the completion and timely documentation of animal conditions in accordance with principles of medical record-keeping; produce administrative reports and communicate animal status updates as needed
• Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Qualifications :

• Deep veterinary medical knowledge, including a familiarity with shelter medicine principles and best practices
• Must have excellent clinical skills, including efficient diagnosis and treatment of cats and dogs for a variety of medical conditions
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of clinical experience as a veterinarian working primarily or exclusively with dogs and cats
• Experience working with large animals, equine, farm, etc. a plus
• Sound clinical judgement and resiliency to make humane euthanasia decisions for patients and to coach and support staff and volunteers regarding those decisions; readily able to work closely with animals who are medically and/or behaviorally compromised
• Demonstrated ability in low-stress animal handling and restraint
• Exhibit professionalism in stressful, time-sensitive and urgent situations; appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information with care and discretion
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Able to work standing for 8 or more hours and bend, crouch, kneel and move freely to perform responsibilities that include handling potentially dangerous and/or medically compromised animals in stressful conditions
• Able to occasionally work in physically challenging conditions and able to wear appropriate protective gear, including a protective mask; job responsibilities may entail exposure to chemical and biological hazards, such as feces and blood, exposure to sharp objects, working in noisy environments and working in areas with uneven, wet and slippery surfaces

Language:

• English

Education and Additional Experience:

• Doctorate: Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary college (required)
• Knowledge of and experience working within Incident Command System (ICS) structure preferred; completion of ICS 100, ICS 200, IS0010.a, IS0011.a & IS0700.b training courses a plus but not required
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, long days and weekends, when required
• Adapt to a flexible work schedule and willingness to activate for last minute deployments
• Not required, but please note if you're licensed to practice veterinary medicine in NC, SC, OH, FL, GA, TX, NY, CA