Medial Director

Job Summary

The mission of the New Hampshire SPCA is to save the lives of animals through rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption; to promote learning, eliminate animal cruelty and be a leader in advancing the highest standards in animal welfare.
TheMedical Director leads the medical programs for both shelter and community animals, upholding the highest standard of care possible for both populations.

Responsibilities

• Establish the overall vision, priorities, and long-term goals and strategy for Veterinary Services.
• Perform surgical and medical procedures, treat injured and ill animals in the shelter and monitor the health of the animals in the shelter and foster care program, practicing shelter medicine in accordance with NHSPCA policies related to health and adoptability to include euthanasia decisions when appropriate.
• Knowledge of and ability to do high volume spay/neuter surgeries and to conduct high quality surgical sterilizations in a fast-paced environment. Ability to perform a minimum of five surgeries per hour.
• Provide examinations and treatment for client’s pets to ensure basic healthcare needs are met in the community medicine program.
• Analyze data and program trends in order to build stronger, innovative programs.
• Coordinate the shelter and community medicine programs to work together when indicated. Serve as the primary connector when a decision affects both populations.
• Identify operational gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities to improve across relevant teams.
• Lead staff and contract veterinarians, provide strategic direction and serve as a positive role model.
• Ensure the daily operations of the veterinary center are aligned with best practices, industry standards, and compliance with all relevant laws. Ensure staff are aware of relevant legal or best practice changes.
• Oversee the development and updating of relevant department policies and procedures including comprehensive health care plans for animals in the shelter and foster care program, including methods of safeguarding the health of animals in these programs.
• Provide health certificates for any animals crossing state lines as required by law.
• Maintain medical records and drug use logs to standards of veterinary and sheltering practices; ensures that records are in order and complete. Meet all DEA requirements and maintain current licensure.
• Mentor Veterinary Technicians on animal examination techniques, shelter medicine protocols, surgical prep, anesthesia monitoring, and recovery, including students as necessary.
• Step into leadership or operational gaps as needed.
• Evaluate animals who may be impacted by animal cruelty, both in the field and onsite, as required. Ensure the medical care of animals from these situations, including maintaining accurate records as needed for legal purposes. Prepare testimony and testify in Court as needed.
• In conjunction with the Veterinary Center Manager, update operational plans to meet goals.
• Promote a workplace culture of positivity, inclusion, support, fairness and integrity through employment policies, practices, and management development. Observe performance, provide training, counsel employees and lead complex employee relations issues as needed.
• Maintain a safe workplace, value and model safe work practices adhering to the agency’s safety practices and rules addressing or communicating unsafe practices or conditions.
• Assist with the development of the veterinary center’s budget.
• Maintain positive relationships with key partners including community veterinarians, relevant state agencies, national animal welfare organizations, and others.
• Be a point of contact for the state Department of Agriculture and state Veterinary Medical Association.
• Promote excellent customer service with partners and the public.
• Participate in staff meetings and serve on appropriate committees, task forces and networks.
• Provide data and relevant testimony related to animal welfare legislation as requested. Testify in the State House as needed.
• Maintain current knowledge of best practices in shelter medicine, community medicine, and animal welfare.
• Recruit, hire, onboard and train new staff as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited college or university with a New Hampshire Veterinary license. Must currently have or be able to obtain a DEA License to purchase control drugs.
• Knowledge and understanding of all applicable laws and regulations related to veterinary medicine, shelter regulations, and relevant state laws.
• Advanced knowledge of animal welfare issues, and ability to train and support others – internally and externally - on the same topics without passing judgment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with fear free restraint, handling techniques, and general animal safety practices, including recognizing animal behavior patterns.
• Computer literacy with proficient use of programs including Microsoft Office programs, email, Shelter Buddy, Clinic HQ, and other relevant databases.
• Work collaboratively across teams at the New Hampshire SPCA and cultivate positive working relationships with staff and volunteers.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Able to maintain composure during challenging and emotionally charged situations.
• Display good judgment and work with colleagues, volunteers, and clients in an empathetic and supportive manner.
• Able to manage multiple tasks, reprioritizing as needed. Self-motivated, well organized, and goal oriented.
• Moderate to heavy work with variable amounts of standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and sitting. Able to engage in repetitive motion of legs, arms, and hands.
• Able to routinely lift 50 pounds or less.
• Most work is performed in normal shelter clinic setting; potential for exposure to zoonotic diseases; potential for exposure to deceased, dangerous and fractious animals; exposure to high noise levels when in kennel area; potential for animal bites and scratches while handling animals
• Able to perform these duties in variant temperatures and elements including extreme heat, extreme cold and inclement weather.
• Five or more years of professional veterinary experience. Animal welfare experience preferred.