A key member of our shelter team, our Clinic & Shelter Veterinarian will support the medical needs of our shelter animals. The hourly veterinarian will hold a leadership role within the shelter with responsibility for the staff who help with the delivery of veterinarian services. This position requires someone who is passionate about providing high-quality care, maintaining a positive culture of teamwork, and providing exceptional client services to both pets & people.  The hourly veterinarian will be responsible for medical examinations, sterilization services, vaccinations, medical procedures, review and approval of shelter protocols, consultations, training, recordkeeping, and providing staff and client support.

Essential Functions:

1. Shall be available for telephone consultations with Animal Shelter Management and in person for emergencies such as natural disaster and large sale cruelty investigations.
2. Serves in a leadership role during veterinary care and when Shelter Management is not at the Shelter, such as in emergency situations.
3. Performs medical examinations on all types of animals as needed.
4. Performs medical tests, including but not limited to, FeLV/FIV and heartworm testing, as necessary.
5. Performs medical procedures as needed, including but not limited to, heartworm treatment, microchip implants, and repairing umbilical hernias.
6. Manages daily in-patient care of hospitalized animals.
7. Provides consultations and recommendations as needed for animal cruelty cases, livestock examinations and treatment, treatment related matters, euthanasia of animals, and necropsies.
8. Determines when animals have been abused and makes recommendations to Shelter Management.
9. Prepares necropsy and medical reports, including abuse reports, as necessary.
10. Provides sterilization services (including evaluations, operation, and follow-up care) to animals eight (8) weeks of age or older.  Sterilization services are performed at the Shelter on Tuesdays and Thursdays in a timeframe that permits the animal to be available for pick up after 3:00pm but before 5:00pm.
11. Administers rabies and other vaccinations to shelter animals as necessary and maintains appropriate records of vaccine administration.
12. Monitors the ongoing shelter population to help ensure a ready supply of healthy animals for adoption.
13. Renews and approves Shelter protocols at least annually.
14. Trains, certifies, and recertifies Animal Shelter employees to administer and document rabies vaccinations, euthanasia, and other medical procedures as determined necessary.
15. Maintains and submits detailed weekly records of all controlled substances, including receipt and administration in compliance with State and Federal law.
16. Maintains detailed schedule of hours worked and services performed.
17. Coordinates, on a regular basis, with Shelter Management and support staff as necessary.
18. Provides ongoing support to Shelter Management and support staff as necessary.
19. Works directly with clients to positively communicate pet needs, encourage treatment compliance, and provide client education.
20. Complies with all applicable laws and Animal Humane policies.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Must be comfortable with high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter. 
2. Must possess excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills. 
3. Must be a collaborator, self-directed, motivated, and goal oriented. 
4. Must exercise independent judgment and work in collaborative work environments.

Education and Experience:

1. At least 2 years practicing veterinary medicine in a clinic setting.
2. One year of additional shelter medicine experience is preferred.
3. Must be a graduate of an accredited School of Veterinary Medicine

Additional Requirements:

1. Possess all licenses required by Maryland law, including registration with the MD Department of Health Office of Controlled Substances Administration. 
2. Required to have a current and valid DEA license.
3. 51% of time worked must be with the Animal Resource Center.

 
Physical and Environmental Conditions: 
 
Ability to control, lift and carry animals handled at the facility; requires long periods of standing, frequent walking indoors, repeated bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, or reaching; recurring lifting of objects up to 50 pounds and handle dogs weighing up to 150 lbs.; operation of keyboard devices; work may be physically or emotionally demanding.  Workers must be willing to assist in euthanasia procedures (the humane destruction of animals).
 
Workers are exposed to hazards of dealing with dangerous, frightened, or diseased animals, and exposure to cleaning and disinfecting agents. 
 
Requires working non-standard schedules including evenings, weekends, and holidays.   Requires call-back and working during emergency weather events or other emergency situations that close the shelter and require the operation of an emergency pet shelter.
Work is subject to frequent interruptions.
 
Supplies and Equipment: 
 
St. Mary’s County Government shall provide medications, chemicals, including insecticides, shampoo, anesthetics, testing/screening supplies, anesthesia supplies and all necessary equipment as specified by the Contractor and agreed upon by St. Mary’s County Government.
 
Controlled drugs shall be purchased under the license of the Contractor and kept at the Shelter.

About St. Mary's County Government

St. Mary's County is home to the Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Major tenant commands include the Naval Air Systems Command Headquarters (NAVAIR), Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), and many other tenant activities known as leaders in aviation and advanced technology. Tackle the great outdoors or enjoy a bushel of crabs. By land or by sea, discover the best of the old and the new in St. Mary's County.

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