Veterinarian, Kitten Nursey
Description
Responsibilities:
Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance, and include but are not limited to:
Provide High Quality Patient and Population Care (60%):
- Provide high-quality, practical, compassionate, and cost-efficient veterinary care to kittens and cats in accordance with ASPCA guidelines, and shelter medicine principles and best practices
- Provide skilled and efficient diagnosis and treatment of patients with timely recognition of, and planning for, conditions requiring care through the ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH)
- Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques.
- Maintain regular and close communication with veterinary colleagues in other ASPCA programs to coordinate care for patients, to meet medical needs and to determine animal flow between populations. ASPCA programs include AAH, Community Medicine (CM), and the Adoption Center.
- Ensure that in-house and foster animals receive medical exams upon admission and are provided with on-going care as appropriate; ensure veterinary care provided is aligned with, and contributes to, the efficient and humane flow of animals from intake through outcome
- Document physical exam findings and a plan in appropriate medical records. Ensure timely scheduling and delivery of medical care by effectively coordinating with key stakeholders among medical staff, foster team and leadership
- Oversee all other aspects of the delivery of veterinary care including pre and postoperative care, foster appointments, emergency care, restraint, and treatment
- Collaborate with the Midwest Office Call Center to provide input on and support for overnight emergency processes; rotate on-call coverage with other veterinary staff
- Play a leading role in daily rounds; ensure individual patients and the population are assessed daily and treatment/intervention recommendations are implemented in a timely fashion
- Ensure appropriate use of quarantine and isolation spaces to manage herd health effectively; ensure appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Guide appropriate and timely decisions about euthanasia – with attention to animals’ physical, medical, social and behavioral needs collectively. Assist with and/or perform humane euthanasia
- Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Follow and enforce all written and verbally communicated Kitten Nursery Standard Operating Procedures
- Offer input and feedback on medical protocols and standards of care
- Follow all departmental personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning protocols
- Work to support other NYC ASPCA departments (including, but not limited to the Animal Recovery Center, Community Medicine, and Community Engagement) as assigned during the Kitten Nursery’s off-season
- Obtain continuing education as required by ASPCA and state licensing board and keep current.
- Provide medical information and representation to other ASPCA departments and to the public
- Deploy with Community Engagement, Community Medicine, Field Investigations & Response or Relocation up to twice per year
- Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
Teach and Coach Quality Patient Care (40%):
- Contribute to a culture of learning at the Kitten Nursery, including ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment, active participation in goal setting and monitoring, clear expectations, and regular practice of feedback and after-actions
- Model a standard of continual commitment to improvement in all aspects of Kitten Nursery care and the humane and low stress handling of cats and kittens
- Stay current with shelter medicine principles and best practices, including departmental protocols and processes
- Teach and mentor animal care staff on shelter medicine principles and Kitten Nursery shelter medicine protocols
- Direct patient care provided by medical team members
- Ensure the medical team provides timely foster support via email, phone, and in-person; step in as needed, particularly to handle situations that require a higher level of decision-making
- Inform and advise relevant internal stakeholders of medical conditions of shelter animals, including outbreaks of infectious disease
- Attend all staff meetings and training sessions
- Mentor and train externs and interns
Qualifications:
- Excellent veterinary medical knowledge, including familiarity with shelter medicine principles and best practices
- Strong clinical skills, including efficient diagnosis and treatment of cats and kittens for a variety of medical conditions
- Excellent low-stress animal handing and restraint skills
- Sound clinical judgement, strong critical-thinking and multi-tasking skills; able to quickly adjust focus and shift priorities based on patient and program needs
- Ability to work efficiently and calmly in a high-volume, fast-paced environment and effectively multi-task with a high degree of integrity and accountability and without loss of attention to detail
- Ability to work well within a team and communicate effectively and respectfully with all levels of staff
- Ability to teach and coach others
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Basic computer skills, including Excel, Microsoft Office, and email; familiarity with PetPoint or other shelter software systems a plus
- Able to lift 40 pounds
- Able to work standing for 10 or more hours
- Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies
Education and Work Experience:
- Teach and mentor animal care staff on shelter medicine principles and Kitten Nursery shelter medicine protocols
- Eligibility for licensure in New York State (NYS) as a veterinarian required; current licensure in NYS strongly preferred
- Fear Free Shelter certification is required within 60 days of hire
- Minimum 2 years clinical practice involving cats
- Prior experience and/or advanced training in shelter medicine strongly preferred
- Veterinary internship preferred
Veterinarian License - Other
Language:
English (Required), Spanish
Education and Work Experience:
Doctorate: Veterinary Medicine (Required)
Minimum 2 years clinical practice involving cats, Prior experience and/or advanced training in shelter medicine strongly preferred, Veterinary Internship Preferred
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About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.
The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.
The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.
At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.
Our EEO Policy:
The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.
Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).
Applicant Notices: Applicants have rights under federal employment laws: Equal Employment Opportunity; Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA); Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); Uniformed Services Employment Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Candidates residing in CA, CO, Flagstaff (AZ), IL, IN, Los Angeles (CA), Los Angeles County (CA), MA, ME, NJ, NM, NYC, OR, Philadelphia (PA), RI, San Francisco (CA), and WI should click here for additional information about general applicant notices.
How to Apply
Please apply directly to the ASPCA's Careers website and include your resume:
https://careers.aspca.org/search/jobdetails/veterinarian-kitten-nursery/ed429708-3b0f-4c7f-ab51-77b7d3bedcab