Monadnock Humane Society

Job Description

Job Title:Shelter Veterinarian

Department:Shelter

Reports To:Director of Operations

Job Classification:Hourly/Non-exempt

Job Summary:

Under direction of the Senior Director of Shelter Operations provides professional advice regarding overall health and well-being of shelter animals including continual analysis of standard operating procedures related to medical and cleaning protocols. The Shelter Veterinarian also oversees routine and critical medical care of all animals, including medical and surgical services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Perform routine health screenings, wellness examinations and individual animal treatment protocols of shelter animals.
  1. Provide critical and emergency care or referral to shelter animals.
  1. Perform spay and neuter surgeries for shelter dogs, cats and various small animals as well as felines in our high volume public clinics.
  1. Initiate and oversee appropriate disease prevention, control and eradication programs for shelter population.
  1. Work with the Director of Shelter Operations, Shelter Manager and Best Practices Committee to ensure standard operating procedures related to veterinary medicine and animal care are well documented, up to date and implemented by all staff and volunteers
  1. Perform necropsies when needed, examine animals as requested by Field Services Director around cruelty concerns and complaints and interact with other departments when veterinary expertise is needed
  1. Prepare specimens for pathology testing when required, specifically those cases needed for rabies testing
  1. As part of shelter team, contribute professional opinions to euthanasia decision-making process
  1. Perform and assist with euthanasia
  1. Supervise final resolution of euthanized animals when necessary and see that staff handle deceased animals respectfully and follow proper procedure for final disposition
  1. Together with the Shelter Manager, ensure all relevant veterinary pharmaceuticals are in-stock, stored properly in conjunction with state and federal regulations and that public health regulations are strictly adhered to by staff and volunteers
  1. Communicate with the public regarding adoption and surrendering when veterinary assistance or guidance is warranted
  1. Act as a liaison on behalf of MHS in maintaining positive and productive relationships with area veterinarians, state veterinary boards and Department of Agriculture. Serve as spokesperson on humane and shelter issues when needed
  1. Actively participate and assist MHS in its efforts to achieve its strategic plan around goals related to veterinary medicine
  1. Data management using shelter software
  1. Perform other duties as assigned by Executive Director and Senior Director of Shelter Operations.

Qualifications

Ability to establish rapport easily with people and animals

Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as superior organizational skills

Ability to handle emergency situations

Flexibility and ability to reorder priorities

Stamina to withstand stress and ability to concentrate with multiple distractions

Discretion in confidential matters, strength of character to provide for the animals ultimate, not just immediate, well-being and professional demeanor in dealing with situations which are sometimes complex and/or emotional

Ability to act as a mentor to staff and volunteers

Good judgment when dealing with the public, specifically around confidential and/or sometimes highly emotional decisions

Experience

Experience or training in pediatric spay/neuter surgical procedures and anesthesia

Equivalent combination of education, training, knowledge of applicable ordinances and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for the position

Experience with triage, emergency procedures, shelter medicine and small animal medicine preferred

Physical Demands

This is an active job requiring the ability tolift up to 50lbs and standing and/or walking the majority of the day. In addition, the employee must be able to bend and stretch as needed as well as sit or stand at a computer.

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is required from an accredited veterinary school as well as a current license to practice in the state of New Hampshire.

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