Shelter Veterinarian (Part-Time 24 hours/week)

Description

Summary of Essential Tasks and Responsibilities 

Surgery 

• Responsible for spaying and neutering shelter animals, publicly owned animals, and community animals from local rescues and shelters 
• Perform pre-operative exams to ensure the fitness of animals for surgery 
• Perform surgical sterilizations efficiently and maintain high quality, high-volume standard, including:
  • Maintain aseptic/sterile techniques throughout surgery. 
    • Understand and apply efficient incision placement, abdominal entry, and knot-tying techniques. 
    • Perform advanced spay and neuter techniques for both adult and pediatric patients, including safe and efficient use of spay hooks, self-tie techniques and scrotal neuters. 
    • Ensure efficient, safe, and aesthetic closures with gentle tissue handling. 
• Ability to perform sterilization surgeries on canines and felines in addition to experience or interest in rabbits
• Document and maintain proper records for all pre-op, surgery and post-op notes. 
• Conduct post-operative exams to monitor healing and provide follow-up recommendations. 
• Diagnose and address individual patient issues, developing appropriate solutions. 
• Properly respond to any emergency as notified by staff veterinary technicians 
• Ability to lead CPR in emergency situations
• Employ creative problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment. 
• Make sound medical decisions, balancing patient needs and clinic protocols. 
• Communicate effectively with the Veterinary Director and Surgery Technician regarding staff, patient issues, and clinic protocols. 
• Stay up to date with current guidelines and advancements in high-quality spay/neuter techniques. 
• Conduct other surgeries and medical procedures for shelter animals, including soft tissue surgeries, enucleations, amputations, and dental extractions, as needed.
• Ensure that all cleaning is properly completed in a manner effective in the prevention of infectious and zoonotic diseases. 
• Contact owners with medical concerns and questions if needed. 
• Supervise the handling and proper recording of controlled substances by Surgery Technician 
• Collaborate with other relief veterinarians that provide services at PARL 
• Uphold and follow all PARL medical and organizational protocols. 

Vaccine Clinics 

• Participate as the lead veterinarian at public vaccine clinics held throughout the year at PARL and various off-site locations in Rhode Island 
• Must participate in weekday and weekend clinics 
• Responsible for administering vaccines, microchips, and preventatives to public owned animals 
• Work with team of staff and volunteers to efficiently provide preventative care in high-paced, high-volume setting 
• In Collaboration with Veterinary Director, continue to develop and update policies and protocols with shelter leadership to improve vaccine clinic efficiencies and community outreach/impact 

Shelter Medicine 

• Oversee medical care for shelter animal population in collaboration with the Veterinary Director and provide coverage when the Veterinary Director is on leave 
• Conduct physical examinations and manage, review and interpret diagnostic tests as well as develop and communicate treatment plans 
• Knowledge of shelter medicine practices and guidelines
• Ability to manage variety of acute, chronic, and infectious health conditions in additional to maintaining population/herd health 
• Responsible for the health of canines, felines, and small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, etc) in our care
• Consult and advise as needed on health and related care for shelter animals, including but not limited to vaccinations, sanitation & disease control, prescribing of medication, diagnostic testing, medical & behavioral assessments, disease prevention, and euthanasia procedures in the shelter. 
• As directed by the Veterinary Operations Director, provide training for staff concerning the medical and surgical care of shelter animals. 
• Participate in occasional after-hours shelter communication for regarding urgent cases/ER cases on a rotational basis
• Participate in trainings, meetings, and events as requested 

Owner Request Euthanasia 

• Perform low-cost, owner-requested euthanasia appointments for pet owners in our community 
• Ability to provide kind, compassionate communication and care for humane euthanasia appointments 
• Ability to make medical and behavioral assessments during appointments while adhering to PARL protocols to guide best recommendations for care  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Commitment to the mission, values and goals Providence Animal Rescue League 
• Knowledge and passion for shelter medicine and surgery, accessible care, and community outreach programs
• Outstanding record-keeping and patient documentation skills. 
• Ability to humanely handle and restrain animals with fear-free methods
• Ability to foster a positive work environment and motivate teams of veterinary staff, shelter staff, and volunteers
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and to follow instructions as given in either form. 
• Ability to work efficiently under stressful conditions while maintaining high standards of care. 
• Strong delegation skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a team. 
• Capacity to remain calm and professional in challenging or high-pressure situations. 

Qualifications/Requirements: 

• Must be a licensed Veterinarian in the state of Rhode Island. 
• Graduated from an accredited veterinary medical college – DVM or equivalent. 
• Must maintain all current and correct licensure and liability insurance.
• Ability to complete high-quality, high volume spay/neuter surgeries 
• At least one year of experience in veterinary medicine with surgical training preferred
• Commitment to upholding the mission and values of PARL 
• Fear Free certification preferred; or must be obtained within 90 days of hire. 
• Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds with reasonable accommodation. 
• Standing on feet for up to 8 hours per day. 
• High level of professionalism and strong interpersonal, presentation, and time management skills is required 

Salary and Benefits: 

• The salary for this position depends on the length and breadth of experience. 
• Benefits include employee discount program, professional development support, employee assistance program, and up to 40 hours paid time off

How to Apply

To apply, please submit CV and cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position to PARL's Veterinary Director, Kendall Polansky, DVM,  at kpolansky@parl.org