Shelter Veterinarian

Nevada Humane Society

Summary: The Shelter Veterinarian will be responsible to perform high volume spay/neuter surgeries for shelter and public animals. Additionally he or she will have daily shelter medicine duties, including treating animals in foster care and recently adopted pets who become ill.

Responsibilities: will include but are not restricted to the following.

• Plan and implement a comprehensive health care program with the following components: environmental sanitation, record-keeping, disease surveillance, physical examinations, vaccination, parasite control, disease testing, disease treatment, surgery, nutrition, outbreak response, and environmental enrichment for animals in the shelter and in foster homes.
• Educate staff and volunteers regarding animal disease.
• Oversee the intake process, ensuring that each animal receives a physical examination upon intake and  that sick and injured animals are diagnosed and treatment is prescribed.
• Perform high volume spay/neuter surgeries and additional surgery as necessary on shelter animals. Additional surgeries include but are not limited to enucleations, exploratories, orthopedics, tumor removal with biopsy, dentals, amputations, etc.
• Provide emergency medical care as needed, including but not limited to IV catheter placement, emergency surgery, transfusions, etc.
• Monitor the health of animals in the shelter (in collaboration with the shelter staff) and provide appropriate treatment when necessary.
• Providing leadership, direction, guidance and training for veterinary technicians and other shelter staff.
• Help with developing written protocols for the clinic.
• Promote a caring attitude toward all animals and to treat animals humanely and with compassion at all times, regardless of circumstances including those that are sick, injured, feral or aggressive.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Advise and work with shelter staff in behavioral counseling and animal training programs.
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping in the computerized medical records system for medical management and surveillance of disease within the shelter.
• Budget, plan, and coordinate veterinary supplies, equipment, and medical facility needs.
• Assist with coordination and supervision of NHS-sponsored veterinary clinics, e.g., low cost spay/neuter and vaccination of public animals and feral cats.
• Periodic presentations for community residents on health care of dogs and cats.
• Treat people (staff, volunteers, and the public) with respect and courtesy, foster a spirit of teamwork and perform duties in a manner that assists the Humane Society in the achievement its goals and encourages community support of its work.
• Work cooperatively with the operations director and animal care managers.
• Assist with the collaborative  programs with the UNR College of Veterinary Medicine and Truckee  Meadows Veterinary Technician Program.

Physical requirements:                  

• Allergic conditions, which would be aggravated whe handling or working with animals, may be a disqualification.
• Ability to lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances and to humanely restrain an animal when necessary.

Qualifications:

• DVM or VMD degree from an accredited university with a Nevada license.
• Must be an enthusiastic team-player
• Ability to problem solve and work with minimal supervision.
• Experience with high volume spay/neuter, and pediatric surgeries highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently and to keep a neat and organized working environment.
• Ability to accommodate varied work assignments and schedules.
• Ability to provide leadership and direction to employees and volunteers.
• Ability to communicate skillfully and effectively with staff, volunteers, and community in a professional, pleasant, respectful, courteous and tactful manner at all times.
• Maturity, good judgment and professional personal appearance.
• Experience volunteering at or working in an animal shelter or TNR program is a plus.

EXEMPT POSITION: Minimum of 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week. Daily reporting hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule. May be required to be on call on a 24 hour, 365-day basis. Includes weekend, night and holiday work.

There is no minimum period of employment guaranteed or implied by acceptance of an employment offer.

REPORTS TO: Chief Veterinarian and the Executive Director

Please contact Debra Kelly, Administraive Services Manager by phone (755)856-2000 ext. 322, by fax (775)284-760 or by email dkelly@nevadahumanesociety.org