Shelter Veterinarian

The Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) is seeking a qualified, highly motivated and progressive licensed Veterinarian. This person will work in the shelter’s spay and neuter clinic and the shelter medicine program and reports to the Medical Director.

The spay and neuter clinic at the Seattle Animal Shelter is committed to providing low-cost, high-quality, high-value spay and neuter services for the Seattle community. The shelter medicine program provides treatment to animals in the shelter (dogs, cats, rabbits, guine pigs and multiple other species commonly kept as pets) and is also responsible for developing medical standards of animal care to ensure a safe, healthful environment for shelter animals and the people who interact with them.

The Shelter’s Veterinarian will examine, evaluate and treat Shelter animals upon intake and during their stay, performing procedures that include (but not limited to) prescribing and administering medications and anti-parasite treatments, treating minor wounds or infections, requesting tests and lab work, referring more serious medical matters to private veterinary practices, performing humane euthanasia, and performing surgical procedures on an as-needed basis. This is also an opportunity to develop skills in the relatively new and growing field of veterinary forensics.

The Seattle Animal Shelter has a team of officers with the field services unit who regularly conduct criminal investigations into animal cruelty. The Shelter’s Veterinarian may assist with these investigations by examining animals who may be victims of these crimes and their living conditions on scene when necessary. The Shelter’s Veterinarian would document their findings for the criminal case and testify in court as needed. Additionally, the Shelter’s Veterinarian maintains medical records and drug-use logs, and assist staff in developing and implementing certain medical-related policies and procedures to veterinary and sheltering practice standards.

This is a full-time, temporary position with benefits that is expected to end in December, 2019.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assists with recommendations regarding policies and procedures for the shelter; recommends changes in procedures as needed.
• Performs in-house animal health inspections with shelter staff.
• Provides preventative treatments for infections, disease prevention and control, general health, parasite diagnosis and treatment and dietary evaluations in accordance with developed shelter medicine protocols.
• Examines animals, evaluates animals’ health and performs veterinary medical and surgical procedures including vaccinations, prescribing and administering of medications, anti-parasite treatments, tests and lab work for infections and related health issues.
• Performs spay and neuter surgeries in a high-volume clinic and other types of surgery, as needed.
• Establishes and maintains medical records and drug use logs to standards of veterinary and sheltering practices.
• Ensures that all state and federal laws, state regulations, accepted standards, the practice of veterinary medicine, drug control, and animal care and handling are adhered to.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of shelter animal health protocols, surgical procedures (including dog, cat and rabbit ovariohysterectomy and castration and dental preventative care) and other companion animal health issues.
• Assists with euthanasia according to established protocols.
• Assumes the role of the Medical Director in his/her absence.

Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university and one year of professional veterinary medical experience, within a shelter environment preferred.
• Possession of an unrestricted license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Washington.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DEA license for controlled substances.
• Knowledge of shelter animal health protocols, surgical procedures and companion animal health issues in a shelter setting.
• Knowledge of City, County, State and Federal animal health laws.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, including ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management, employees, key partners, volunteers and the public.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word and Outlook, and electronic veterinary medical records.
• SAS provides service to our animals 365 days/week – this role will require the availability and willingness to work some evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to obtain and maintain special police commission.
• Ability to operate, maneuver and provide simple but continuous adjustments on all types of medical equipment.
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring skill and training, such as performing surgery and giving injections.
• Tasks involve the ability to exert moderate but not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting, standing, walking and carrying objects and animals of moderate weight.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds without assistance and heavier amounts with assistance.
• Potential for exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, high noise levels, hazardous chemicals, anesthetics and sharp objects.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Management experience.
• Previous experience using PetPoint.
• Certification(s) or specialization in shelter medicine, animal behavior or high-capacity spay and neuter services.