Associate Veterinarian

Associate Veterinarian

The Associate Veterinarian is responsible for assisting the Vice President of Veterinary Care in the health management of the living population at the South Carolina Aquarium, with special emphasis on teleosts, elasmobranchs, small mammals, birds and reptiles, and the rehabilitation patients in the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center. He or she will work closely with the animal care staff in order to provide world class care and advance the mission of the aquarium. The Associate Veterinarian will share the clinical case load with the Vice President of Veterinary Care. Additionally, they will be responsible for oversight of the veterinary student externship program, including recruitment and mentorship.

Essential Functions:

• Thrive in a team-oriented work environment.
• Continuously evaluate comprehensive preventative animal medicine program that promotes animal welfare, and implement changes when necessary.
• Share medical case management, including diagnoses, treatment, surgery, and postmortem/pathological examinations with the VP.
• Help train and educate Veterinary Assistant(s) and Veterinary Extern Students.
• Rotate on call schedule with VP for 24/7 coverage of the living collection and sea turtle strandings, ensuring appropriate alternate veterinary coverage prior to any absences.
• Assist with the medical care and regulatory compliance of the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center and work with external partners to facilitate sea turtle conservation.
• Perform routine rounds of exhibit and back-up animals and their enclosures.
• Be responsible for routine quarantine examinations and treatments as indicated (fecal, blood smears, skin scrapes, etc.).
• Represent South Carolina Aquarium at conferences, workshops, professional organizations and conduct research to be shared internally and externally through publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Assist with health certificates and animal dispositions and acquisitions.
• Assist the VP with oversight of the Nutrition Program.
• Maintain a medical records system (TRACKS) that is organized and up to date and meets all regulatory requirements.
• Provide daily interaction with animal care staff for education, communication, and hands-on procedural training.
• Encourage and be supportive of hands-on staff involvement with procedures, examinations and diagnoses.
• Collaborate often with other departments on exhibit development, public education and information sharing.
• Maintain legal and AZA compliance for all lab operations and equipment (e.g. oxygen storage, vaccinations, licenses and certifications) and maintain up to date written protocols.
• 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.
• Participation on the Ride Out Team is required and shared between the VP and Associate.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Represent South Carolina Aquarium in professional associations (i.e. IAAAM, AAZV, etc.).
• Travel occasionally to conferences and seminars and as possible support on animal transports or rescues.
• Liaise with professional colleagues on a regular basis to develop a support network that can be called upon to help provide assistance when necessary.
• Attend regularly scheduled meetings.
• Daily contact with staff at all levels including interns and volunteers.
• Provide support for the mission by participating in Aquarium sponsored programs and events on a regular basis.
• Provide lead for veterinary student and shadow involvement.
• Support research activities that support the Aquarium's mission.
• Perform public relations function at all levels, including the presentation of clinical research findings through publications and conference presentations.
• Be actively involved in identifying grant opportunities and grant submittals.
• Perform additional duties as requested.
• Assist with administrative functions as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in a variety of clinical tasks including blood, fecal and urine sampling and analysis, bacteriological culturing, and microscopy.
• Experience or willingness to learn advanced imaging and clinical techniques including onsite computed tomography, 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 (presentations, guest interaction, and staff engagement will be required).
• An affinity for animals and the capacity to make decisions based on the best interest of the animal, collection or species.
• 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.
• Budget preparation and management skills.
• Ability to argue persuasively and build consensus in a team-oriented environment.
• Goal oriented with proven ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.

Qualification Requirements:

• Must hold a veterinary degree (DVM or VMD) from an accredited university.
• Must have or be eligible to obtain a South Carolina State Veterinary License, South Carolina controlled substances licenses, and South Carolina Driver's License within three months of hire.
• Must comply with federal and SC State DEA regulations and hold a DEA registration/license.
• Must have or be eligible for USDA accreditation type II.
• Preferred 1 year experience with sea turtle rehabilitation.
• Preferred 2 years of experience at an AZA accredited Zoo or Aquarium with completion of an aquatic, zoological, exotics, or wildlife specialty internship.

Supervision of Others:

• Vet Assistant/Vet Registrar, Veterinary Student Externs, Shadowing students/colleagues

Physical Requirements:

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

Working Conditions:

• Irregular hours and working nights, weekends, and holidays required.
• Must be available to share 24/7 on-call responsibility, and be able to respond to emergency needs on a rotating regular schedule while the designated on-call veterinarian (including holidays).
• This position works with wild animals and incurs risks associated with working with animals.
• Normal office environment.
• Contact with Aquarium guests, contractors, vendors and business associates.
• Travel required (conferences, rescue and rehabilitation efforts, professional development)
• 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.