Shelter Veterinarian

Starting Salary $100,000+ Based on Experience

Position Summary

The Shelter Veterinarian is a vital part of overall shelter operations, and also our community outreach programs. Flexibility and adaptability are keys to success as you will be able to use a vast spectrum of your small companion animal knowledge. Both routine and advanced medical conditions and surgeries are part of the work we do at Wayside Waifs. We work together to formulate treatment options for both in clinic and specialist opportunities. A Shelter Veterinarian is the primary source of medical needs for animals under the care of Wayside Waifs, 365 days a year, which allows for immediate and direct care. Additionally, the responsibilities of a Shelter Veterinarian extend outside the clinic and frequently require collaboration with many other departments to find the best outcome for the animals in Wayside's care.

The approach the shelter veterinary team takes is one of exploring realistic treatment options, seeking improvements in standards that are sustainable. Flexibility and adaptability to meet the many changing variables, and responsibility to make teamwork and supportive collaboration a priority.

Mentorship is available for all veterinarians with learning tailored to the experience of the individual.

SHELTER VETERINARIAN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Basic and advanced medical exams with available equipment or justification for specialist, as well as diagnosing, prescribing, and treating conditions.
• Routine alteration exams for primarily dogs and cats, and less frequently for rabbits.
• Ability to triage and perform emergency examination or surgeries for shelter or animals brought in by our animal control partners.
• Thorough medical charting for exams, surgeries, and advanced procedures through the PetPoint software platform.
• Advanced surgical procedures with mentorship of the Chief of Veterinary Medicine or other veterinarians on staff, if needed.
• Herd health monitoring for disease risks more often seen in a shelter environment, which can include parvovirus, distemper, upper respiratory infections, and parasitism.
• Medical responsibilities, assistance, and leadership with community outreach programs (vaccine clinics, spay/neuter events, and trap/neuter/release activities).
• Performance of humane euthanasia for shelter animals with medical and/or behavioral challenges with an emphasis on safety and/or quality of life, and with our public Pet Memorial Center clients.
• Guidance, inclusion, and basic mentorship of rotating 4th year veterinary students in our 25+ year student externship program.
• Frequent professional and open-minded collaboration with other departments within Wayside Waifs, primarily behavior, adoptions, and admissions.
• Assistance in providing leadership, training, and education to vet clinic staff and volunteers.
• Assistance with and support of all Vet Clinic Tasks.
• Rotating participation in Lunch and Learn presentations on various clinic-related topics.
• Comply with all of Wayside Waifs policies and best practices.
• Additional tasks as necessary.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Schedule of 4 days at 9 hours during weekdays and a rotation of Saturdays with other veterinarians at 8 hours.
• Rotation of on-call schedule with other veterinarians on Sundays and when the Chief of Veterinary Medicine is not available on weekdays.
• Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) required.
• Current, or ability to acquire a, Missouri Veterinary License with BNDD.
• Current, or ability to acquire a, DEA License.
• Experience with companion animals.
• Excellent written and verbal communications kills and good problem solving skills.
• Ability to work with people in a variety of high-stress and emotional situations while maintaining a composed and professional demeanor.
• Demonstrate the ability to work efficiently as a team member in a fast paced, high stress environment.
• Physical Requirements:
  • Must be able to lift 50 pounds to waist height for various tasks.
  • Repetitive bending, kneeling, stopping, and similar movements required.
  • Must be able to physically restrain animals weighing up to and including 125 pounds.
  • Able to work with exposure to wet and/or humid condition and outside weather conditions.
  • Must be able to perform a significant amount of standing during a typical day, exposure to fumes, airborne particles, and possible zoonotic diseases.
  • Noise level is moderate to high.
  • Exposure to animal waste.