Associate Veterinarian

Associate Veterinarian

The National Aquarium is seeking an Associate Veterinarian, responsible for providing exemplary clinical and preventative medicine care for all our collection (invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and rehabilitating animals. The Associate Veterinarian will take a significant role in the clinical training of the Veterinary Fellow in collaboration with the Senior Veterinarian and Director of Animal Health. The Associate Veterinarian has managerial oversight for all aspects of the veterinary student preceptorship program, including recruitment, onboarding, directing work, and performance reviews. Responsible for maintaining detailed electronic medical records. Works collaboratively with the other veterinarians and the Director of Animal Health on determining and implementing policies and procedures. Provides rotating, 24/7 on-call coverage for emergencies and rehabilitation efforts.

Essential responsibilities include:

• Provide exemplary clinical and preventative medical care for all our collection (invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and rehabilitating animals, through strong team-based approaches and communications.
• Perform clinical exams on collection animals including interpretation of diagnostics and ability to review and interpret water quality. Perform gross necropsies, cytologies, and appropriate sample collection for all classes of animals.
• Develop management and treatment plans including incorporation of water quality and life support system into medical plans.
• Create and maintain clear, concise, and detailed electronic medical records.
• Provide 24/7 on-call coverage for collection animals as well as stranded marine animals.
• Participate in coverage for stranding events, including field response as well as on-site intake exams for rehabilitation animals which usually occur outside of normal working hours.
• Ensure compliance and maintenance of standards of overseeing regulatory agencies (AZA, APHIS/USDA, NOAA, etc.)
• Monitor disease trends and husbandry practices as they relate to disease prevention in the collection and work with husbandry managers to address emergent issues and develop collaborative solutions.
• Participate in formation and implementation of standard operating procedures that ensure the highest standard of care.

Oversee, review, and implement appropriate animal acquisition, disposition, and quarantine protocols to support NA operations

• Coordinate animal acquisitions and dispositions, including record transfer and pre-shipment diagnostics, ensuring adherence with all state and federal testing requirements, in collaboration with partner institutions, while professionally representing NA.
• Serve as a responsible authority for ensuring complete legal and regulatory compliance in the issuance of Certificates of Veterinary Inspection by staying current on evolving regulations and industry best practices and ensuring compliance.
• Collaborate closely with husbandry staff to ensure all quarantine requirements are met, reviewing historical records, physical examination findings, relevant diagnostic testing, histopathology when available, and husbandry observations to make informed determinations regarding appropriate clearance from quarantine.

Promote and maintain the safety and well-being of animals, critical life-support systems, as well as staff and guests, through shared responsibility and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Ensure compliance with state and federal radiation safety regulations including appropriate PPE, dosimeter usage, and proper collimation technique.
• Conduct comprehensive reviews of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals used in facility projects to identify hazards and minimize risks to collection animals, rehabilitation animals, and life support systems.
• Provide in-house training on zoonotic disease prevention, infectious disease outbreak coordination, and other topics relevant to the collection.
• IPM

Actively contribute to and advance multidepartment team objectives, including staff education activities and research initiatives.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of high?quality welfare standards grounded in species?appropriate, evidence?based practices by advancing animal health standards, strengthening behavioral husbandry and enrichment initiatives, and providing oversight of nutritional frameworks.
• Represent National Aquarium in monthly pathology rounds and bi-annual morbidity and mortality reviews conducted in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University providing input to support high standards of diagnostic review and animal welfare.
• Act as a key liaison for the animal health team on the Welfare Committee, ensuring policy and welfare initiatives that ensure alignment with best practices and standards in health Perform and supports research projects and case reviews to advance knowledge, improve practices, and inform decision?making.
• Provide animal health expertise on the Research Committee to support scientific merit and best?practice standards.
• Contribute to professional knowledge exchange through professional presentations and publication of relevant information for colleagues and the broader professional community.
• Collaborate with internal teams to coordinate and assist with public and media relations initiatives as directed, ensuring consistent and professional representation.

Mentoring, Management and Implementation of Veterinary Preceptorship Program

• Manage student programs and compliance by reviewing applications, maintaining up?to?date program documents (manuals, quizzes, checklists), coordinating with Volunteer Services to ensure preceptors meet current institutional criteria, and organizing preceptor shadowing opportunities with internal ACW partners.
• Provide clinical supervision and education by directing daily clinical work of students, delivering hands?on training and mentorship in veterinary medicine, training on appropriate medical record documentation, and ensuring adherence to National Aquarium protocols.
• Support student development and research by assisting with the implementation and organization of preceptorship research projects and providing structured evaluation and feedback to students as well as their institutions.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated leadership and mentorship abilities, with experience supervising and supporting students, and volunteers.
• Exceptional interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to remain adaptable, composed, and effective when managing urgent or high?pressure situations.
• Highly detail?oriented and self?motivated, with the ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong critical?thinking and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage competing demands appropriately.
• Maintain Maryland Veterinary License in good standing.
• Model ethical conduct in accordance with veterinary professional standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational values.
• Follow protocols set forth by the Maryland Board of Veterinary Medical Practitioners
• Attend a minimum of 20 hours of lectures/seminars/workshops annually to obtain mandated continuing education credits.
• Enroll in Maryland PDMP (prescription drug monitoring program); follows guidelines and complies with routine auditing parameters to ensure continued eligibility, maintains baseline knowledge of current prescription drug requirements.
• Maintain Class II APHIS certification with USDA.
• Working knowledge of current regulatory practices.
• Understanding of VECHS/electronic platforms.
• Completes triennial CE requirements.
• Ability to perform duties that may include walking or standing for extended periods, lifting, climbing ladders, crouching/kneeling, and working in close contact with others
• Support company mission.
• Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications:

• Veterinary Degree (DVM, VMD) from an AVMA-accredited university
• Minimum of 4 years of experience with full-time practice in aquatic/zoological animal medicine; ACZM diplomat status or exam qualification is ideal
• Maryland veterinary license within 3 months of starting
• USDA Category II APHIS certification, within 3 months of starting
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include weekend, holiday, and/or evening hours
• Possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator's license, have an acceptable driving record, and possess the ability to drive a variety of vehicles (cars, vans/trucks)
• Completion of an internship and/or residency in aquatic/zoo animal medicine or equivalent experience
• Experience with electronic animal record keeping software (Tracks, ZIMS), proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, etc.)

Total Compensation Information:

Salary range ($82,500-90,000 Annual). National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including four weeks paid time off, and six paid floating holidays and up to four weeks of paid family leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work. Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.