Shelter Medicine Veterinarian

Position:            Shelter Medicine Veterinarian

Division:             Lifesaving

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Reports To:       Chief Lifesaving Officer

Work Hours:     Typically 40-hours; however this position has varying working days and hours.

Summary

The Shelter Medicine Veterinarian will lead a lifesaving team committed to providing quality and compassionate service to animals. The veterinarians and animal healthcare professionals of the Halifax Humane Society provide a variety of services, including exams, vaccinations, dental services, heartworm prevention and treatment, and surgery services. We believe every animal deserves quality care.

The Halifax Humane Society (HHS) cares for upwards of 15,000 animals annually through animal sheltering, foster home programs, adoptions, public spay/neuter clinics, and various community support initiatives designed to keep pets in their homes.  The shelter is located in beautiful Daytona Beach, Florida. To support our team members who carry out this lifesaving work each day, we offer a comprehensive selection of affordable quality health benefits, paid time off, and financial benefits and resources - including paid continuing education. Salary: $160,000 to $180,000 plus relocation expenses. Paid housing is available.

The Shelter Medicine Veterinarian provides the highest quality of care, including overseeing daily rounds, examinations of shelter and foster-based pets, surgeries, and treatments for shelter and foster animals. The veterinarian also ensures and promotes the conscientious utilization of resources to ensure operating efficiency and effectively grow the Shelter Medicine Department.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists in the implementation of goals, policies, and procedures for the shelter medicine team; recommends changes in procedures as needed
• Provides lead direction to staff responsible for following prescribed treatment and maintaining treatment records for shelter animals
• Ensures that the highest level of service and care are provided and that changes in animals' conditions are recorded in shelter management software system
• Provides preventative treatments for infections, disease prevention and control, general health, parasite diagnosis and treatment, behavioral evaluations and modification, dietary evaluations, and grooming (healthy coat maintenance)
• Examines animals, evaluates animals' health, and performs veterinary medical and surgical procedures, including vaccinations, prescribing and administering of medications, anti-parasite treatments, tests and lab work for infection, and spay and neuter surgery
• Performs physical exams, evaluates animal health, and provides medical treatment for adopted animals returning to the shelter for medical care
• Performs surgical sterilization of shelter and public animals adhering to the procedures and protocols provided by ASV
• Perform other surgical procedures as needed to address the issues of shelter animals
• Communicates directly with clients whose animals have experienced intra- or post-operative problems
• Performs shelter rounds daily at a minimum
• Establishes and maintains medical record and drug use logs to standards of veterinary and sheltering practices; ensures that records are in order and complete
• Ensures that all state and federal laws, state regulations, and accepted standards and procedures regarding clinic operations, the practice of veterinary medicine, drug control, and animal care and handling are adhered to
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of shelter animal health protocols, surgical procedures and companion animal health issues
• Builds effective relationships through positive interaction and communication with the community, volunteers and staff
• Actively supports associate staff and volunteers to promote the development of skills related to the advancement of HHS goals and mission
• Assists in monitoring inventory and ordering of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals
• Participates in off-site events as needed
• Assists in the training of veterinary students on externship
• Promotes and follows safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment; Takes immediate action to address any safety concern that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or organization at risk

Qualifications:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited college or university
• Possession of a current license to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Florida
• Possession of current DEA distribution license
• Minimum three to five years veterinary medical experience; experience in shelter environment a plus
• Team-oriented and ability to communicate effectively with the public, fellow employees and volunteers
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness and ability to adjust to tasks in accordance with changing deadlines and priorities
• Demonstrate flexibility, organization, self-motivation, ability to work independently and as a member of a team; Strong work ethic and attention to detail a must
• Working knowledge of guidelines and practices in an animal welfare/shelter environment a plus
• Knowledge of local animal control laws and state humane laws and their application to the general public a plus
• Requires humane handling of animals and safe handling of cleaning supplies, chemicals and equipment in compliance with safety rules and according to SDS rules
• Ability to lift, pull or push up to 50 lbs. with reasonable accommodations

Mental Demands:

The candidate must be able to multitask, prioritize, and handle high levels of stress. The position requires excellent organizational skills, as well as a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. The candidate must also be dependable and have a proven ability to meet deadlines. The candidate must be a self-starter with the ability to work independently and follow detailed instructions without the need for constant support.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to reach with hands and arms frequently. The employee is required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must often lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to work outdoors from time-to-time and be on your feet for extended periods of time. The position also requires desk and computer work. The position will involve offsite and onsite duties; therefore, traveling by car will be required.

Halifax Humane Society is an equal-opportunity employer.

HHS reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises and business requires. The job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

The job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.