Veterinarian

Description

Job Title: Veterinarian

Reports to: Medical Director

Position Start Date: Mid-October 

Objective: The staff veterinarian is a cat medical care position. This position provides quality veterinary medical, surgical, and dental care for shelter, adopted, and privately owned cats coming in for subsidized medical services.

Position Type and Hours: Exempt, Salaried, Full-time. Approximately 38 hours per week.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Surgery (45% of time) 

• Perform spay and neuter, dental, and other soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries (hernia repairs, amputations, enucleations, mass removals, etc.) by using medical knowledge and skills in accordance with established CAT hospital policies and protocols.
• Screen cats for major medical issues precluding anesthesia by performing pre-operative physical exams. 
• Oversee the administration of anesthesia by ensuring the proper drug dosage for feline age and condition, and adjusting the anesthesia as needed based on the cat’s physical exam. 
• Direct hospital staff during and after surgery by providing instructions related to medication administration, post-operative recovery and care, and possible complications. 
• Update cat medical records by entering surgery notes in Shelter Buddy or ClinicHQ software as appropriate. 

Veterinary Medical Care (45% of time)

• Determine the appropriate medical course of action (treatment, further diagnostics, or monitoring symptoms) for shelter cats by performing physical exams; reviewing daily observation sheets and notes in Shelter Buddy; relying on medical knowledge and experience, and existing medical protocols created for the CAT hospital; collaborating with hospital staff to maximize efficiency.  
• Provide medical care to cats by employing safe handling techniques; using medical knowledge and skills in accordance with established CAT hospital policies and protocols.
• Interpret diagnostic tests and determine appropriate treatment if needed by examining fecal floats, cytology, radiographs, blood chemistry analyses etc. 
• Provide post-adoption or post-operative medical care to public cats when needed by performing physical exams; prescribing treatment if necessary; discussing concerns and continued care with the owners; engage in financial conversations with clients
• Respond to medical emergencies by evaluating cats and determining the best course of action; serving as a scheduled on-call point of contact for shelter staff and foster volunteers outside of regular operating hours. 
• Update cat medical records by entering exam findings, treatments, and/or prescribed medications in medical software system.. 
• Follow the physical exam documentation requirements for all cats not owned by the Cat Adoption Team by following the regulations of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board (OVMEB). 

Medical Policy and Procedure Development and Dissemination (10% of time)

• Assist the medical director with hospital support staff training by demonstrating medical skills; sharing established protocols and policies; providing corrective feedback and coaching as needed. 
• Work with the medical director to maintain updated medical and sanitation policies and procedures by editing and/or creating SOP documents based on shelter needs, best practices, and advances in shelter medicine. 
• Remain informed on current medical and surgical procedures and best practices by pursuing continuing education opportunities. 
• Evaluate medical records and history to determine whether a cat is a good candidate for admission to the shelter.
• Provide medical leadership to shelter-wide staff, to assist or in the absence of the medical director.
• Attend and participate in medical rounds and provide support and direction during patient care discussions.
• Participate in other departmental and organizational meetings and events as requested.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge 

• Veterinary medicine 
• Veterinary shelter medicine 
• Computer programs, including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Shelter Buddy, ClinicHQ

Skills

• Perform high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter surgeries 
• Perform pediatric spay and neuter surgeries 
• Perform other veterinary medical procedures requiring a valid veterinary license (including humane euthanasia when medically necessary) 
• Remain organized 
• Complete tasks with little direction or supervision
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously 
• Manage details
• Communicate effectively in person and in writing 
• Handle animals safely 
• Follow protocols and procedures
• Operate standard office equipment, including computers and telephone systems  
• Operate equipment found in a veterinary hospital setting 

Abilities 

• Analyze and solve problems effectively 
• Work cooperatively within a team environment 
• Provide corrective feedback in a positive manner 
• Facilitate difficult conversations 
• Remain calm in emergency situations 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Necessary

• Valid license to practice veterinary medicine in Oregon 
• Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine 
• Professional liability insurance (can be obtained prior to the start date)

Preferred 

• Previous shelter medicine experience 
• Current DEA certificate for controlled substances 
• Proven veterinary knowledge and skills 

Mental Effort: This position consists of duties requiring the job holder to regularly assess risk, analyze options, and make decisions without complete information. The job holder must also make determinations about tasks and deadlines.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: 

Physical Requirements

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Move and/or transport items up to 30 pounds (assisted or unassisted)
• Position oneself at various levels to successfully carry out the essential functions of the job
• Provide direct animal care, including feeding, watering, cleaning litter boxes, and other animal handling
• Provide direct medical care to animals, including performing surgical and non-surgical medical procedures 
• Clean animal housing and facility 
• Disinfect and sanitize using agents such as bleach and Rescue®
• Communicate effectively with other staff, volunteers, and the public by email, phone, or in-person
• Navigate the shelter and building
• Read and keep accurate records/files
• Work on a computer and use various software programs
• Operate office equipment such as a copy and fax machine, printer, scanner, and multi-line telephone 
• Operate equipment found in a veterinary hospital setting 

Work Environment

Work in this position is performed at an animal shelter hospital. The work environment will have hazards or obstacles, and there is a higher risk of personal injury while performing assigned tasks if safety protocols are not followed. Job conditions are uncomfortable relative to noise, temperature, smell, cleanliness, or exposure to contagious diseases. The worker may encounter the following: 

• Distressed animals that put the worker at risk for injuries such as bites and scratches
• Animal urine, animal feces, animal vomit, animal blood, animal fur
• Medications used to treat animals
• Needles used to vaccinate or provide other treatments to animals 
• Zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from cats to humans
• Disinfecting agents such as bleach and Rescue®

Pay Range: $120k-$134k annually depending on experience

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.

**Please note** There are required screener questions in this application process that will replace a cover letter requirement**