Director of Shelter Medical Services

Job Responsibilities: 

Population Management and Medical Care
• Ensure every animal in the shelter’s care has clear and objective medical notes in the shelter database to support efficient movement through the shelter, and ultimately, shortened length of stay.
• Coordinate daily rounds with shelter veterinarians and other key staff to ensure all animals in the shelter’s care receive any needed medical attention in a timely manner.
• Lead, guide, and consult shelter veterinarians on medical treatment plans for shelter animals.
• Perform physical exams, treatment plans, and surgical or other procedures as deemed necessary by the organization.
• Maintain and improve quality of medical and surgical procedures.
• Provide oversight and direction of medical standards and protocols, ensuring they are in line with progressive animal sheltering and high quality of care.
• Make humane euthanasia decisions when deemed medically appropriate.
• Perform humane euthanasia when necessary.
• Provide operational support to Director of Veterinary Center Services in overseeing Wellness Clinic and surgery.
• Minimize waste and control costs related to medical supplies, surgical instruments, and drug inventories.
• Document the required hours of continuing education credits per calendar year and CE completion.
• Perform high quality, high volume spay and neuter surgeries.
• Perform operational rotations in Wellness Clinic.

Staff and Volunteer Support:

• Directly manage performance of shelter veterinarians and other shelter medical staff.
• Conduct and lead productive regular medical meetings during which shelter medical cases and treatment plans are discussed.
• Create and maintain a workplace conducive to high employee morale and output, ensuring positive working relationships between clients, doctors, staff, and volunteers.
• Participate in the recruiting and interviewing process for veterinarians and other staff positions as deemed appropriate.
• Create a culture of embracing volunteerism, emphasizing the importance of volunteers in all aspects of the Medical Services department.

Client Support
• Provide accurate, concise medical information to clients regarding adopted animals and wellness clinic clients.
• In conjunction with the Director of Veterinary Center Services, ensure client experience is exemplary when interacting with the Medical Services department (Adopters, foster parents, Wellness Clinic and surgery clients, etc.).
• Work in tandem with the Admissions department to gather complete medical information on medical cases prior to and during their arrival to the shelter and provide available medical resources to clients prior to surrender to retain pet in the home.

Qualifications:

• Must have Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited university.
• Minimum of five (5) years hospital or shelter supervisory experience.
• Ability to lead and direct professional veterinary staff.
• Supports the Animal Rescue League’s mission, policies, and practices.
• Currently Licensed by Florida Department of Professional Regulations to practice Veterinary Medicine and Surgery.
• Minimum of three (3) years shelter medicine and epidemiology.
• Minimum of (3) years High Quality High Volume Spay/Neuter experience required.
• Currently USDA accredited veterinarian.
• Current DEA license.
• Ability to work independently and effectively with managers, directors, staff, and volunteers to accomplish daily tasks as well as strategic plans and contribute effectively as part of a team.
• Affection for animals, concern for their welfare, and an ability to handle the physical and emotional aspect of work in an animal shelter environment, including euthanasia.
• Working knowledge of Chameleon shelter database preferred.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office required.
• Bilingual preferred.
• Willing to stay at the shelter during a hurricane or other disaster.
• Willing to work weekends