Medical Director
Description
Clinic equipment includes a newly installed x-ray machine, high speed drill, isoflurane anesthesia, hydraulic surgery table, pulse oximetry, IV fluid pump, wet table, dental scaler/polisher and full set of hand tools. Our live release rate is 95% and are now focusing our efforts on creating community based programs to help keep pets and people together. We are excited about the potential to grow and are seeking a leader who is motivated to help us create and implement new programs. Our team is committed to a positive work environment where we support one another as well as our community.
Douglas County is home to over 20 wineries, two incredible rivers and a temperate climate. We are located on the I-5 corridor with easy access to Portland, Seattle, the beautiful Oregon coast and skiing in Central Oregon. Learn more at savinggracepetadoptioncenter.org and experienceroseburg.com!
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
The Medical Director provides leadership and oversight for veterinary staff and programs of Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center. This is a supervisory position with responsibility for making medical decisions for shelter and public animals in the care of Saving Grace, as well as management of clinic staff and volunteers. As a member of the management team, the Medical Director serves as a role model and professional resource for all team members.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervises all aspects of animal care in the shelter and spay/neuter clinic.
Provides lead direction to staff responsible for treatment of shelter animals and maintains treatment records for shelter and public animals in our care. Ensures compliance with veterinary medical standards.
Develops, implements and evaluates goals and standards for medical programs and keeps up to date on any regulatory changes and emerging knowledge, especially in relation to the OVMA and animal sheltering.
Updates and creates policies and procedures for related duties as needed.
Is available by telephone outside regular hours at Saving Grace and is occasionally available in person for post-surgical complications, emergency examinations or other critical needs for shelter animals.
Communicates with local veterinarians as needed, maintaining a positive and productive relationship.
Works with the Executive Director to provide input for medical budgetary needs on an annual basis and strives to work within that budget throughout the year.
Assist in monitoring inventory and ordering medical supplies and pharmaceuticals within budgetary guidelines.
Conducts weekly rounds with leadership team and performs routine examinations of individual animals to identify existing and potential medical issues.
Ensures correct methods of clinic narcotic/drug usage and documentation. Monitors and records drug usage and ensures proper storage and handling of all controlled substances.
Communicates regularly with the Operations Director regarding safe and efficient clinic operations, staff concerns, supplies needed, equipment repairs, animal health concerns, volunteer and employee safety.
Practices veterinary medicine in accordance with American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of Shelter Veterinarian guidelines.
Maintains current licensure including Oregon state DVM, Facility and DEA.
Works cooperatively with animal care managers in making euthanasia decisions. Performs euthanasia and trains/certifies CETs.
Supports pediatric spay/neuter, the Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters, the Asilomar Accords, recommendations made in UC Davis’ sheltermedicine.com.
Performs surgical sterilization of shelter and public animals including pediatric, pregnant and high quality, high volume spay/neuter as needed.
Ability to perform other procedures such as enucleation, amputation, mass removal, entropion, cystotomy and basic dentistry.
May be asked to represent Saving Grace at meetings or events outside the normal scope of duties.
May be asked to assist in creating and presenting training or educational information, materials, articles or written procedures.
Perform other duties as required.
Supervisory responsibilities
Supervise clinic (2 veterinary assistants, 1-2 volunteers daily) with room to grow
Supervise and work alongside our Shelter Medicine Manager, a CVT who acts as an assistant to our Medical Director
Strive to continually improve all operations and training programs
Be a leader among staff, display a positive attitude and act as a role model for our team
Working Relationships
Communicate, consult and collaborate with the Executive Director, animal care staff, assistants, and all other shelter staff
Works hand in hand with the Executive Director balancing budget with medical decisions (all medical decisions ultimately fall to the Medical Director)
Provide input and communicate any topics regarding the clinic’s disease control protocols, surgical protocols, or other medical issues at regular leadership team meetings
Behave in a manner that upholds both personal and professional standards, as an ambassador of Saving Grace, at all times
Assist with after hours shelter animal emergencies
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Recognize and treat common animal diseases in a variety of companion animals
Maintain accurate and concise records
Communicate clearly and succinctly, both orally and in writing
Effectively and professionally communicate with co-workers, volunteers, and the general public
Ability to learn PetPoint software and become proficient in pulling relevant reports as needed
Emotional/Mental Requirements
Must be able to work efficiently and effectively under stressful conditions
Must be able to respond quickly to a variety of medical situations
Must be able to cope with death due to surgical complication and euthanasia
Ability to rapidly and accurately process information and make decisions
Ability to delegate tasks, recognize a need for assistance, ask for help
Ability to cope with a variety of situations and remain calm and pleasant
Physical demands
Must be able to restrain and humanely handle animals, including difficult to handle and potentially dangerous animals
Physically maneuver, control, lift and carry animals in a humane manner
Bend, kneel, walk, and reach frequently; stand and sit for up to eight hours; lift up to 40 lbs.
Must possess an acceptable degree of dexterity in hands and fingers
Must have good vision including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception and ability to focus
Qualifications
Current veterinary license in the state of Oregon or ability to obtain within two months of hire date
Valid Oregon driver’s license or ability to obtain
Two + years experience in either a small animal veterinary hospital or animal shelter medical facility or internship in shelter medicine. Shelter experience or shelter medicine background preferred.
Ability to safely and efficiently perform at least 20 spay/neuter surgeries in a normal 8 hour day with appropriate support staff or be willing to learn.
COMMUNICATION:
The shelter veterinarian will have regular contact with other employees and volunteers, local veterinary clinics, other animal welfare organizations, and law enforcement officers. It is imperative that all communications, verbal and written, be clear and concise. Stressful situations arise from time to time. All communications must be kept tactful and professional in order to maintain good relations and cooperation from others during these times.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
This position will have regular contact with animals with varying degrees of domesticity and physical condition. The Medical Director will work directly with animal waste, disinfectants, veterinary pharmaceuticals and anesthetics. May be exposed to loud noises and zoonotic diseases. Will have access to and must use protective equipment such as gloves, protective eye and ear wear, etc.
REQUIREMENTS:
Education and Experience: Doctoral degree of Veterinary Medicine. Must be a currently licensed veterinarian in the State of Oregon or able to obtain a license within two months of hire date. Preferred qualifications will include background within a shelter or related animal care facility or previous shelter medicine experience.
Skills: Must be experienced in current spay/neuter techniques or willing to learn, comfortable with spaying pregnant animals, performing cryptorchid surgeries as well as pediatric spay/neuter. Must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Must be able to learn and become proficient in shelter software.
Compensation and Benefits
Hours & Compensation:
Saving Grace offers a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, continuing education, scrub allowance, dues allowance, employer-matched 401K after one year of employment, paid holidays, vacation, personal and sick days, and relocation compensation. Full time position starts at $95K annually. Part time position negotiable depending on schedule.
Paid sick time and holidays
A regular schedule with limited on call work
A competitive salary which includes healthcare, continuing education and dues allowance
Membership to OVMA, AVMA & ASV
State veterinary license and DEA license & liability insurance
A culture of compassion and collaboration
Opportunity to be part of a shelter poised to grow and create new programs to help people and pets in our community and beyond
401K with employer contribution
Limited client interaction
A fun, dedicated and supportive team of coworkers
Saving Grace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, national origin, marital status, disability or any class protected by law. Our team is fun, kind and excited to be here! Join us and let’s make Douglas County a better place for people and pets!
How to Apply
For more information and to apply, please submit a resume or CV and cover letter to Megan Gram at executivedirector@savinggrace.info