Medical Director/Veterinarian

Description

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the Veterinarian In Charge on all legal documentation and accounts for the clinic and Supervising Veterinarian for the shelter
• Ensure the veterinary team and the facilities comply with all applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, regulations, and ordinances, including the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, and OSHA 
• Develop and maintain protocols for all aspects of veterinary care and advise on shelter animal care protocols
• Assess patients’ health and medical histories as they relate to their qualification as surgery/service candidates
• Perform spay, neuter, dental, and other surgical and animal medical procedures
• Oversee vaccine clinics and perform medical procedures as necessary
• Oversee and perform surgical monitoring, administration of pre-anesthetic and anesthetic drugs, and post-surgical monitoring through discharge
• Maintain the clinic-controlled substance log with the assistance of the lead Licensed Veterinary Technician
• Supervise, support, and train Associate Veterinarians and Licensed Veterinary Technicians.
• Participate in continuing education programs in accordance with state requirements
• Provide medical counseling to clients 
• Perform veterinary services for Chesapeake Animal Services (CAS) per the contract between CAS and CHS

Working Relationships and Direct Reports 

The Medical Director is part of the Leadership Team at CHS. The Leadership team consists of the Executive Director, the Medical Director, the Clinic Manager, the Shelter Manager, the Assistant Shelter Manager, the Crisis Boarding and Outreach Manager, and the Associate Director.

The Leadership Team must work collaboratively to ensure our mission and goals are carried out effectively and efficiently.

Leadership Working Relationships, including but not limited to:

• Work in collaboration with the Executive Director and Associate Director for program goals, budgeting, reports, and team meetings
• Work in cooperation with the Clinic Manager to ensure all clinic protocols are upheld and ordering is fulfilled
• Work in collaboration with the Clinic Manager to ensure appropriate clinic staff are hired and provide HR support as needed 
• Work in collaboration with the Clinic Manager to set a positive tone and create a healthy and uplifting work environment for the staff
• Work in collaboration with the Shelter Manager to ensure a smooth process for shelter animals, including fosters, in need of surgical procedures or veterinary exams
• Work in collaboration with the Shelter Manager for efficient DVM shelter rounds
• Work in collaboration with the Crisis Boarding and Outreach Manager to provide appropriate medical care for pets in our Crisis Boarding program 
• Work with the Shelter Manager and Executive Director in making decisions about euthanasia, using CHS’s Asilomar Matrix

Direct Reports, including but not limited to:

• Associate Veterinarians
• Licensed Veterinary Technicians

Indirect Reports:

• Clinic Manager
• Veterinary Assistants
• Client Service Representatives

Other Duties

• Work cooperatively with all staff and volunteers to promote the CHS mission
• Uphold and embrace CHS’s Workplace Culture Agreement in all aspects of work
• Participate in leadership team meetings
• Attend board meetings as requested
• Engage visitors in non-confrontational, educational conversations regarding animal care, surrender, sheltering policies, etc. 
• Perform other duties as necessary

Skills and Educational Requirements

• Preferably, 1-2 years of experience in a supervisory role with demonstrated success in leading a team
• Degree in veterinary medicine from an accredited university of veterinary medicine 
• License to practice as a veterinarian in the state of Virginia, or the ability to obtain 
• Drug Enforcement Agency controlled-substance registration
• Must possess and maintain independent insurance and provide proof to CHS
• Ability to make sound decisions concerning patient care and clinic operations
• Confidence using computer systems and learning new software
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate with and relate to people of all age groups across a wide spectrum of the community
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to educate clients effectively in English
• Preferably, experience in shelter medicine and in high-volume spay/neuter clinics
• Willingness to discuss euthanasia, open-admission sheltering, and surrender of pets in a non-judgmental, non-confrontational, fact-based manner
• Ability to express organizational standpoints when serving as a CHS representative
• Ability to handle confidential or sensitive information with discretion 
• Ability to function well independently and as a team member
• Ability to build and lead a team
• Ability to mediate and problem-solve in the moment
• Excellent attention to detail, organization skills, and ability to multitask

Physical and Time Demands

• Ability to work early mornings and occasional Saturdays
• On-call hours as needed for CHS shelter animals (primarily phone consultation with Foster Coordinator)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced setting with distractions
• Ability to work in the presence of animals, wildlife, strong odors, and cleaning solutions
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift and carry materials up to 40 lbs 
• Ability to handle stress
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable personal transportation

Salary and Benefits

• Salary range: $115,000 - $125,000, based on experience and leadership ability
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (75% of premium covered by CHS for employee)
• Access to mental health resources (Insight Timer app, Compassion Fatigue training, and Trauma-Informed Care training)
• Paid Holidays, 7 per year
• Personal Time-off, 25 days per year with accrual up to 50 days
• Four-day workweek with minimal weekend shifts (one Saturday per month)
• Minimal on-call or emergency needs for CHS shelter pets
• Simple IRA Plan with 3% organization match
• Paid annual Continuing Education requirements
• Paid professional insurance premiums and licensing fees
• Discounted clinic services and adoption fees
• Discounted retail items, pet prescriptions, and prescription foods

How to Apply

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and professional references to director@chesapeakehumane.org 

Please include the position title in the subject line