Job Summary:
Responsible for health, surgical care, and illness treatment of Save-A-Pet animals and relaying information to Animal Health Staff through written and oral communications. Ensure proper care for animals and responsible for continuous education of self and staff to ensure all animals receive the best medical treatment possible while abiding by Save-A-Pet’s mission, policies, and procedures. Provide oversight in relation to veterinary care for adoption center staff, facilities, and protocols.
Job Responsibilities:
1. Animal Health and Welfare:
· Administer general health and medical treatment plans for all animals examined and evaluated. Coordinate and communicate treatment plan for animals with Animal Health Coordinators.
· Interpret lab work in order to properly decide best next steps in animal care.
· Maintain animal records to ensure proper documentation of exam notes, evaluations, and recommendations.
· Maintain relationship with local cooperating vets and other veterinary resources in getting animals’ appropriate diagnostics done and on receiving advice on treatment of animals.
· Maintain and update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
· Enhance veterinary reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
· Examine animals pre-op to determine their ability to withstand surgery and also post-op as necessary to ensure appropriate healing. Also supervise post-op rechecks and order of medical treatments as necessary to ensure complete surgical recovery.
· Supervise and perform spay/neuter surgeries including pediatric spay/neuter surgeries or other anesthetic procedures bases on abilities and resources available. Possibility for some high volume spay/neuter days. Certified Veterinary Technician available to assist.
· Maintain complete surgical, complication, and mortality logs.
· Administer rabies vaccinations to animals and complete rabies certificates as required.
· Treat and dress wounds, perform minor dental procedures and other treatments/surgeries as needed based on capabilities, equipment and resources available.
· Administer heartworm treatment to dogs as needed and monitor for complications/reactions.
· Performing euthanasia in cases where animal no longer has any quality of life and there is no treatment available to relieve their suffering. At times, this may be with foster caregiver, bonded staff, and/or volunteers present.
· Provide medical oversight for the adoption center program, including evaluation of medical, surgical, and disease control protocols.
· Comply with adoption center and animal health procedures and protocols.
· Involvement in the process of selection for purchase of medical equipment, supplies, and medications.
· Supervise handling and recording of controlled substances by Animal Health Supervisor or Adoption Center Manager in accordance with state and federal laws.
· Follow all local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations that apply to services performed and practiced.
· At times communicate with fosters and potential adopters about medical assessments and treatment plans of animals which may include advising about sanitation measures, feeding, and general care.
· Adhere to the highest ethical standards and provision of veterinary care in a safe, competent, professional, and humane manner and promote those qualities as well.
· Availability by phone, pager, or email after hours for post-surgical complications, questions on medical care for animals being adopted, or emergencies. Will not be required to come back in unless available and necessary based on best judgement and available information.
2. Personnel Management:
· Advise the work of Animal Health Staff and Certified Veterinary Technicians assisting.
· Address any personnel issues within Animal Health Department with assistance from Animal Health Supervisor or Adoption Center and Operations Manager.
· Evaluate, develop, and assist in training Animal Health Staff and Animal Health Supervisor to ensure they provide the correct and necessary treatment for all animals in the most efficient and humane manner.
· Attend mandatory safety meetings and training.
· Adhere to OSHA compliance policies and procedures.
3. Misc:
· Opportunity to promote outside veterinary business if applicable to Save-A-Pet adopters and fosters.
· Adhere to parameters of Save-A-Pet budget while abiding by organization’s mission.
· Participate in certain veterinary related special events.
· Maintain strict confidentiality on client, patient, and donor information.
· Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed or required.
Job Qualifications:
-Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
-Maintain and provide proof of State Veterinary License in good standing in Illinois.
-Maintain and provide proof of current Drug Enforcement Administration (State and Federal) Licenses.
-Minimum of 3-5 years of experience practicing Veterinary Medicine and small animal handling.
-Minimum of 3-5 years of experience performing successful spay/neuter surgeries on both cats and dogs.
-Ability to handle animals in a way that minimizes stress and ensures safety of animal and handler.
-Ability to provide services (vaccinations/blood draws/microchipping/etc) in front of clients at times.
-Knowledge of animal behavior and animal husbandry.
-Knowledge of basic safety.
-Knowledge/experience performing diagnostic procedures and using medical and surgical technologies.
Other Competencies or Skills:
-Ability to work quickly, efficiently, and calmly under pressure and in a fast paced environment.
-Ability to multi-task.
-Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately in the event of an animal emergency.
-Ability to reason and use good judgement.
-Customer service skills
-Communication skills
-Documentation skills
-Mathematical skills that apply to job.
-Computer skills, data entry (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access)
-Ability to maintain a clean, neat, and orderly work area at all times.
-Integrity
-Be respectful of coworkers and treat both subordinate and superior staff in a professional manner.
Preferences:
-3-5 years or more of experience working in shelter medicine and/or herd management type of environment.
-Prior experience working in high volume spay/neuter clinic.
Physical Requirements:
-Must be able to restrain all types of cats and dogs on a regular basis.
-Must be comfortable working on feet for majority of day but also able to sit for extended periods if needed.
-Must be able to occasionally lift up to 50lbs.
-Must be able to stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, and reach on a regular basis.
-Must be able to use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
-Must be able to speak and hear.
-Vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distant vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
-Must be up to date on Tetanus vaccination.
-Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Work Environment:
-Loud noise levels at times
-Exposure to anesthetic gases possible
-Exposure to risk of animal bites, scratches, and/or other physical trauma or injury
-Exposure to a variety of zoonotic diseases and also other canine/feline contagious diseases possible
-Exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals
-Exposure to sharp instruments
Disclaimer:
The above statement/document is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Save-A-pet management and the board of directors reserve the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $40.00 - $45.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- Veterinary Experience: 5 years (Preferred)
- Veterinary Shelter Medicine: 2 years (Preferred)
Language:
License/Certification:
- DEA Certification (Required)
- Driver's License (Preferred)
- Veterinary License for the State of Illinois (Required)
Work Location: In person
