Summary:

Are you a compassionate veterinarian with a passion for helping at-risk animals? Do you excel in a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment? Is working with a dynamic and dedicated team in a mission-driven organization the description of your dream job? If so, you should consider the role of Veterinarian, Adoption Center at the ASPCA.

As one of three staff veterinarians, you’ll be a critical player on this high-performing staff and volunteer team that works collaboratively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders to further the ASPCA’s ultimate desired outcome that all animals live good lives. Staff veterinarians attend to the health of individual animals and the entire shelter population equally, with an eye toward minimizing length of stay (LOS) for animals and utilizing best practices and innovative programs to ensure all animals in the care of the Adoption Center receive timely services and support in order to move quickly and successfully into safe and loving homes.

The Adoption Center currently provides shelter and adoption for five groups of animals:

Animal victims of cruelty and neglect brought to us by the NYPD and our National Field Response team Animals brought to us through our Community Engagement team Underage kittens and other medically-compromised stray animals   Animals surrendered by their owners and in need of adoption into new homes and Animals transferred in from shelter/rescue partners

At the ASPCA, we are passionate about minimizing fear, anxiety, stress and pain in our patients.  Team members in this position are responsible for providing service and communication to clients, members of the public, co-workers, and patients that is consistent with ASPCA standards and Fear Free® values.

To succeed in this role, the Veterinarian, Adoption Center will be a skilled clinician with a passion for attending to the welfare of each animal and the entire shelter population equally. The right candidate must be extremely well organized and efficient to operate in a fast-paced, continually changing environment.  Finally, the staff veterinarian must also be an excellent communicator and team player, as well as someone who excels at guiding and coaching team members in providing quality medical care for animals. 

*This is a part-time role that requires two consecutive 10 hour days onsite

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Provide High Quality Patient and Population Care (60%):

• Provide high-quality, practical, compassionate and cost-efficient veterinary care to a wide range of canines and felines in accordance shelter medicine principles and best practices
• Provide skilled and efficient diagnosis and treatment of patients with timely recognition of, and planning for, conditions requiring care through the ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH)
• Maintain regular and close communication with veterinary colleagues in other ASPCA programs, including with AAH regarding care of hospitalized patients, Community Medicine (CM), Animal Recovery Center (ARC), Canine Annex for Rehabilitation and Enrichment (CARE), and Kitten Nursery staff regarding medical needs and animal flow between the populations
• Ensure that in-house and foster animals receive medical exams upon admission and are provided with on-going care as appropriate; ensure veterinary care provided is aligned with, and contributes to, the efficient and humane flow of animals from intake through outcome
• Create Certificate of Veterinary Inspections (CVI) for animals being transported interstate.
• Play a leading role in daily Medical-Behavior-Sheltering rounds; ensure individual patients and the population are assessed daily and treatment/intervention recommendations are implemented in a timely fashion
• Ensure effective use of quarantine and isolation spaces to manage herd health; ensure appropriate use of PPE
• Guide appropriate and timely decisions about euthanasia – with attention to animals’ physical, medical, social and behavioral needs collectively
• Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Follow and enforce all written and verbally communicated ASPCA Adoptions SOPs
• Offer input and feedback on medical protocols and standards of care
• Obtain continuing education as required by ASPCA and state licensing board
• Follow and provide input to written materials (protocols, information sheets, data sheets, etc.)
• Provide medical information and representation to other ASPCA departments, public and media
• Deploy with other ASPCA teams, including but not limited to Community Engagement, Community Medicine, National Field Response, and the Cruelty Recovery Center, per availability and programmatic needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Teach and Coach Quality Patient Care (40%):

• With the Manager, Veterinarians, contribute to a culture of learning at the Adoption Center, including ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment, active participation in goal setting and monitoring, clear expectations, and regular practice of feedback and after-actions
• Model a standard of continual commitment to improvement in all aspects of Adoption Center care and handling of dogs and cats
• Teach and mentor nursing and animal care staff on shelter medicine principles and Adoption Center shelter medicine protocols
• Direct patient care provided by medical team members
• Ensure the medical team provides timely adoption follow-up and foster support via email, phone and in-person; step in to handle situations that require a higher level of decision-making
• Inform and advise relevant internal stakeholders of medical conditions of shelter animals, including outbreaks of infectious disease
• Attend interdepartmental, AC, Medical Staff meetings and training sessions
• Mentor and train externs and interns

Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
• Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
• Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
• Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals

Qualifications:

Ability to successfully work efficiently and calmly in a high-volume, fast-paced environment and effectively multi-task with a high degree of integrity and accountability and without loss of attention to detail., Ability to teach and coach others., Ability to work well within a team and communicate effectively and respectfully with all levels of staff, Able to lift up to 40 pounds, Basic computer skills, including Excel, Microsoft Office, and email; familiarity with PetPoint or other shelter software systems a plus., Must be able to work standing for 8 or more hours., Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills., Proven excellent low-stress animal handing and restraint skills, Solid veterinary medical knowledge, including familiarity with shelter medicine principles and best practices, Strong clinical skills, including efficient diagnosis and treatment of cats and dogs for a variety of medical conditions; ability to practice clinical medicine with a high degree of independence and limited, rotating support staff, Strong organizational skills and a high level of attention to detail

Veterinarian License - Other

Language:

English (Required), Spanish

Education and Work Experience:

Doctorate: Veterinary Medicine (Required)

Fear Free® certified or completed within 60 days of employment, Minimum 2 years clinical practice involving cats, Prior experience and/or advanced training in shelter medicine strongly preferred, Veterinary Internship Preferred