Description
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Shelter Veterinarian, Humane Society of St. Lucie County
Location: Port St. Lucie, FL
Reports To: Executive Director
Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt. This is an at-will employment position, meaning that
either party can terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason or no reason, without prior notice.
Compensation: $135,000-150,000
Benefits: PTO, Sick Days, paid Holidays, Health Insurance Stipend and Continuing Education Credit Reimbursement
Position Overview:
The Shelter Veterinarian provides high-quality medical care to shelter animals, including spay/neuter, in-take of all animals, the daily medical care of shelter animals, treatment of various medical conditions, and herd health maintenance.
(S)he assists in developing, advancing, and implementing shelter medicine protocols and delivers and ensures humane medical treatment of all animals seen in the shelter. Provides supervision and leadership to the medical staff.
The Shelter Veterinarian partners with the Executive Director, Director of Operations, and Shelter Manager to establish and implement policies and procedures, ensuring veterinary care at the Humane Society of St. Lucie County adheres to best practices and the highest standards in shelter medicine in accordance with the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care.
The Shelter Veterinarian is required to work either 4 (four) days a week - 8 hours a day (32 hours) schedule OR 5 (five) days a week, 6-hours a day (30) schedule.
Primary responsibilities:
Executes duties in compliance with the Humane Society of St Lucie County policies and procedures as well as all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations including Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine, OSHA, and DEA compliance.
Takes immediate action to address any safety concerns or non-compliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.
Follows the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care and assures that shelter medical objectives, practices, protocols, and plans are followed to ensure optimal health of sheltered animals, as directed, or outlined in the Humane Society of St Lucie County policies and procedures.
Conducts population rounds in all kennels, minimum of two times per week.
Follows and contributes input on the Humane Society of St Lucie County comprehensive animal health care program including disease prevention, environmental sanitation, nutrition, record-keeping processes, physical examinations, vaccinations, parasite control, disease diagnosis and treatment, disease surveillance and outbreak response, surgery, environmental enrichment for animals in the shelter, emergency care and behavioral diagnoses and treatment.
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 animals, including those temporarily in foster care, as well as all animals coming to HSSLC for 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 Director of Operations in the formulation of shelter medical objectives, practices, plans and decisions that influence operations to ensure optimal health of sheltered animals.
Oversees and manages the Emergency Medical Fund.
Oversees the maintenance of shelter drug and supply inventory while meeting and maintaining DEA requirements.
Actively participates as a member of the leadership team; attends applicable meetings.
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.
Veterinary Duties:
Bring any treatments or procedures to the attention of the Executive Director and/or Director of Operations that may need to seek treatment from outside veterinary resources as appropriate.
Works with the Executive Director, Director of Operations, and animal care management in determining and monitoring animals’ paths forward considering the health of an individual animal and the population as a whole.
Directs separation of diseased animals for treatment or other disposition.
Perform euthanasia and assist in euthanasia decisions or process, as needed.
Performs sterilizing, vaccinations, microchipping, spays/neuters of shelter animals and staff pets in accordance with established laws, policies, and standard operating procedures.
Keeps accurate and timely medical record entry to direct medical and animal care staff in administration of prescribed treatment, recording the level of care, documentation, and all necessary aspects of health monitoring according to the Humane Society of St Lucie County policies and procedures.
Perform forensic medical examination for cruelty/neglect cases and prepare veterinary statements for legal proceedings as needed. May be required to testify.
Evaluates and determines the disposition of incoming animals.
Provides in-take services to all animals entering the shelter.
Provides medical services to all shelter animals, including physical examinations, diagnostics, medical rounds, and treatments
Ensures appropriate medication is administered by shelter veterinary staff as directed
Provides on-call services for shelter animal emergencies
Provides professional credibility to HSSLC endeavor 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 HSSLC
Fosters a positive, productive, team-based environment and culture which encourages attainment of goals, contributions, and business for the Humane Society of St Lucie County and its programs.
Works as needed or scheduled accordingly, on-call, weekends, and special events. Supports events, fundraising, and media spots as needed, and fulfills commitments to sponsors and donors.
Fullfill all other duties as required
Leadership:
Supervises Animal Care staff when applicable including, but not limited to, animal handling and restraint, medical care, proper vaccination protocols and personal safety. Handling should be in accordance with Fear- Free protocols whenever possible.
Maintains effective communication with clinic and shelter 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 staff 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 Director of Operations and Shelter Manager with regard to care of all shelter animals.
Answers/addresses all health concerns communicated by the staff professionally and cordially.
Identifies and helps to resolve any medical ethical issues.
Treats people and animals with respect; contributes to effective teamwork; promotes intra- and inter-departmental cooperation; and fosters public relations beneficial to HSSLC.
Employees of HSSLC in leadership positions are strongly discouraged from engaging in romantic or dating relationships with any subordinate staff members, even if there is no direct supervisory relationship
Qualifications:
Current license in the State of Florida to practice veterinary medicine
Current DEA license
Maintenance of malpractice insurance
Minimum of two years experience in shelter medicine with high volume spay neuter experience is desirable.
Ability to work well within frenetic nature of shelter environment
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Proven organizational, time management, and planning skills required
Ability to communicate skillfully and effectively with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers, and community in a professional, pleasant, and respectful manner at all times
Maturity with ability to use good judgment and display a professional manner
Good analytical skills and ability to identify and access department issues/opportunities. Enjoys problem solving within existing resources; does not rely on additional dollars to resolve problems
Track record of fostering a positive work environment. Be viewed as a motivator and leader. Experience in molding and developing staff into a cohesive team
Physical Requirements:
Standing for extended periods of time
Exposure to high noise levels
Ability to lift 50 pounds
Subject to animal bites and scratches
Exposure to hazardous chemicals
This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.
Requirements
Primary responsibilities:
Executes duties in compliance with the Humane Society of St Lucie County policies and procedures as well as all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations including Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine, OSHA, and DEA compliance.
Takes immediate action to address any safety concerns or non-compliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.
Follows the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care and assures that shelter medical objectives, practices, protocols, and plans are followed to ensure optimal health of sheltered animals, as directed, or outlined in the Humane Society of St Lucie County policies and procedures.
Conducts population rounds in all kennels, minimum of two times per week.
Follows and contributes input on the Humane Society of St Lucie County comprehensive animal health care program including disease prevention, environmental sanitation, nutrition, record-keeping processes, physical examinations, vaccinations, parasite control, disease diagnosis and treatment, disease surveillance and outbreak response, surgery, environmental enrichment for animals in the shelter, emergency care and behavioral diagnoses and treatment.
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 animals, including those temporarily in foster care, as well as all animals coming to HSSLC for 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 Director of Operations in the formulation of shelter medical objectives, practices, plans and decisions that influence operations to ensure optimal health of sheltered animals.
Oversees and manages the Emergency Medical Fund.
Oversees the maintenance of shelter drug and supply inventory while meeting and maintaining DEA requirements.
Actively participates as a member of the leadership team; attends applicable meetings.
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.
Veterinary Duties:
Bring any treatments or procedures to the attention of the Executive Director and/or Director of Operations that may need to seek treatment from outside veterinary resources as appropriate.
Works with the Executive Director, Director of Operations, and animal care management in determining and monitoring animals’ paths forward considering the health of an individual animal and the population as a whole.
Directs separation of diseased animals for treatment or other disposition.
Perform euthanasia and assist in euthanasia decisions or process, as needed.
Performs sterilizing, vaccinations, microchipping, spays/neuters of shelter animals and staff pets in accordance with established laws, policies, and standard operating procedures.
Keeps accurate and timely medical record entry to direct medical and animal care staff in administration of prescribed treatment, recording the level of care, documentation, and all necessary aspects of health monitoring according to the Humane Society of St Lucie County policies and procedures.
Perform forensic medical examination for cruelty/neglect cases and prepare veterinary statements for legal proceedings as needed. May be required to testify.
Evaluates and determines the disposition of incoming animals.
Provides in-take services to all animals entering the shelter.
Provides medical services to all shelter animals, including physical examinations, diagnostics, medical rounds, and treatments
Ensures appropriate medication is administered by shelter veterinary staff as directed
Provides on-call services for shelter animal emergencies
Provides professional credibility to HSSLC endeavor 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 HSSLC
Fosters a positive, productive, team-based environment and culture which encourages attainment of goals, contributions, and business for the Humane Society of St Lucie County and its programs.
Works as needed or scheduled accordingly, on-call, weekends, and special events. Supports events, fundraising, and media spots as needed, and fulfills commitments to sponsors and donors.
Fullfill all other duties as required
Leadership:
Supervises Animal Care staff when applicable including, but not limited to, animal handling and restraint, medical care, proper vaccination protocols and personal safety. Handling should be in accordance with Fear- Free protocols whenever possible.
Maintains effective communication with clinic and shelter 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 staff 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 Director of Operations and Shelter Manager with regard to care of all shelter animals.
Answers/addresses all health concerns communicated by the staff professionally and cordially.
Identifies and helps to resolve any medical ethical issues.
Treats people and animals with respect; contributes to effective teamwork; promotes intra- and inter-departmental cooperation; and fosters public relations beneficial to HSSLC.
Employees of HSSLC in leadership positions are strongly discouraged from engaging in romantic or dating relationships with any subordinate staff members, even if there is no direct supervisory relationship
Qualifications:
Current license in the State of Florida to practice veterinary medicine
Current DEA license
Maintenance of malpractice insurance
Minimum of two years experience in shelter medicine with high volume spay neuter experience is desirable.
Ability to work well within frenetic nature of shelter environment
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Proven organizational, time management, and planning skills required
Ability to communicate skillfully and effectively with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers, and community in a professional, pleasant, and respectful manner at all times
Maturity with ability to use good judgment and display a professional manner
Good analytical skills and ability to identify and access department issues/opportunities. Enjoys problem solving within existing resources; does not rely on additional dollars to resolve problems
Track record of fostering a positive work environment. Be viewed as a motivator and leader. Experience in molding and developing staff into a cohesive team
