Veterinarian

DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinates and directs shelter medical operations and ensures sound veterinary medical practices.
• Leads the evaluation and establishment of shelter medical protocols.
• Continually improves the medical management program and ensures high-quality medical care and services for shelter guests including those temporarily in foster care, focusing on identification, treatment and prevention of health problems thereby increasing adoptions and decreasing adoption returns.
• Makes recommendations and collaborates with the Executive Director, and Shelter Manager in the formulation of shelter medical objectives, practices, plans and decisions that influence operations to ensure optimal health of sheltered animals.
• Oversees the maintenance of shelter drug and supply inventory while meeting and maintaining DEA requirements.
• Actively participates as a member of the management team; attends applicable meetings.
• Fulfills commitments to sponsors and donors, as needed, in a manner that will support HSSLC needs. Supports events, fundraising, and media spots as needed.
• Performs duties in a manner which encourages attainment of goals, contributions, and business for HSSLC and its programs.
• Provides leadership to HSSLC personnel.
• Maintains effective communication with staff through daily contact, in scheduled meetings, informally or in writing, as needed to coordinate and direct medical functions of the shelter.
• Supervises shelter veterinary students and externs, ensuring proper training and timely review.
• Provides guidance to staff for situations requiring immediate medical problem solving.
• Participates in interviewing and hiring decisions for shelter veterinary staff.
• Oversees that appropriate shelter medical personnel are certified in euthanasia.
• Communicates directly with the Executive Director and Shelter Manager regarding care of all shelter animals.
• Identifies and helps to resolve ethics issues.
• Treats people and animals with respect; contributes to effective teamwork; promotes intra- and inter-departmental cooperation; and fosters public relations beneficial to HSSLC.

Performs the duties of a staff veterinarian, including but not limited to:

• Evaluates and determines the disposition of incoming animals.
• Provides medical services to all shelter animals, including physical examinations, diagnostics, medical rounds, and treatments.
• Performs sterilization surgeries and other surgical procedures for shelter animals.
• Ensures appropriate medication is administered by shelter veterinary staff as directed.
• Advises, performs or oversees euthanasia performed within the shelter.
• Provides on-call services for shelter animal emergencies.
• Provides professional credibility to the HSSLC’s endeavors to help all domestic pets.
• Maintains appropriate licensing and completes required continuing education courses. Adheres to state regulations and organizational protocol regarding animal care, treatment, advocacy, and the mission of the HSSLC.
• Takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.