Spay/Neuter Veterinary Surgeon

Description

JOB TITLE:        Lead Spay/Neuter Veterinarian

REPORTS TO:   Veterinary Medical Director (Processes and Protocols)/Director of Customer Service (Administration/Day-to-Day)

LOCATION:    Planned PEThood’s Headquarters in Duluth, Georgia (with some occasional local travel)

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS – SPAY/NEUTER

1. Sets expectations for surgical team performance
2. Ensures surgical staff receives appropriate training and coaching to maintain quality standards
3. Examine animals pre-op to determine their ability to withstand surgery
4. Perform surgical sterilizations, following established guidelines for high quality, high-volume procedures, with a daily goal of 40+ surgeries
5. Perform other medically necessary procedures while patients are present for surgery
6. Perform necessary surgeries in addition to spay/neuter that fall within the organization’s defined parameters – assist in developing those parameters
7. Inoculate animals according to appropriate guidelines
8. Provide instructions for follow up care
9. Ensure proper handling and recording of controlled substances
10. Ensure accurate and timely record keeping in ClinicHQ or ShelterLuv as appropriate
11. Provide post-op rechecks and prioritize medical treatments as necessary to ensure responsible surgical recovery 
12. Assist in training veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants on surgical procedures – primarily spay/neuter
13. Work cooperatively with relief doctors

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS – FOSTER/ADOPT

1. Perform examinations and treatments for foster pets, adhering to health protocols established for pets in our adoption program
2. Ensure records and detailed notes are accurate and entered into appropriate systems and treatment plans are communicated in a clear and timely manner
3. Provide input for foster treatment protocols, process improvements, and housing protocols

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS – PUBLIC WELLNESS/GO FIX-OUTREACH

1. Provide examinations and vaccines for pets at off-site events as needed; typically 2 – 3 times per year
2. Provide public Wellness examinations and vaccines and microchipping
3. Ensure accurate record-keeping and data entry
4. Provide input for Wellness clinic and Outreach event protocols

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS – COUNTY SHELTERS

1. Examine animals pre-op to determine their ability to withstand surgery
2. Perform surgical sterilizations, following established guidelines for high quality, high-volume procedures
3. Manage team of veterinary assistants on site to ensure professionalism and appropriate animal care
4. Examine animals post-op as necessary to ensure appropriate recovery 
5. Perform other medically necessary procedures including surgeries, and herd health management – diagnosing and prescribing treatments as necessary for shelter animals
6. Work cooperatively with shelter management staff – in conjunction with Planned PEThood’s standard of care

OTHER GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Adhere to established protocols for safety, cleanliness, and prevention of disease – make recommendations to help enhance protocols currently in place
2. Lead the veterinary surgical team to provide exceptional care to our patients and their families/shelters
3. Assist with ongoing surgical and Wellness staff member training
4. Work to determine the viability of establishing a veterinary training program
5. Provide input for surgical and Wellness staff performance coaching and reviews as requested
6. Participate in appropriate staff meetings
7. Lead by example – by displaying a positive attitude and acting as a motivating force for all staff members
8. Ensure all surgical staff members are adhering to proper pre-, peri- and post-operative care of patients
9. Communicate any issues concerning personnel or protocol with Director of Customer Care, the Veterinary Medical Director or CEO as appropriate.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

1. Physical Requirements
   1. Must be able to work standing for 10 or more hours
   2. Must be able to bend and kneel repeatedly
   3. Must be able to see fine detail in a variety of situations
   4. Must have good hearing including ability to distinguish changes in pitch
   5. Must have acceptable sense of touch and smell
   6. Must have good range of motion in joints especially wrist, knees, elbows 
   7. Must have good range of motion in your back, for instance twisting
   8. Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination
   9. Must possess an acceptable degree of dexterity in hands and fingers
   10. Must have good vision including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception and ability to focus
2. Emotional/Mental Requirements
   1. Must be able to work under stressful conditions efficiently and effectively
   2. Must be able to respond quickly to a variety of medical situations 
   3. Must be able to cope with death either due to surgical complication or euthanasia
   4. Ability to rapidly and accurately process information
   5. Ability to delegate tasks
   6. Ability to recognize a need for assistance and ask for help
   7. Ability to make decisions
   8. Ability to cope with frustrating situations and remain calm
   9. Ability to provide constructive coaching and feedback to staff and coworkers to include disciplinary action
3. Potential and Prolonged Exposures
   1. Prolonged exposure to various aqueous solutions including but not limited to dish soap, chlorhexidine and spectra soap
   2. Prolonged exposure to isopropanol, hydrogen peroxide
   3. Potential exposure to formalin solution
   4. Potential/Prolonged exposure to isoflurane gas
   5. Prolonged exposure to quaternary ammonium cleaners and bleach
   6. Prolonged exposure to pressurized steam
   7. Potential exposure to sharps including needles and surgical blades
   8. Potential exposure to canine and feline illnesses and fractious animals

REQUIRED

• Must be a licensed veterinarian in the state of Georgia or otherwise legally able to practice medicine in Georgia
• Must maintain current DEA licensure OR adhere to licensing veterinarian’s requirements for usage and recording of controlled substances

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The offices and operations of a high-volume spay/neuter clinic can be high stress and very busy at times.  Exceptional teamwork is key.  Surgeries are currently scheduled four days/week, usually Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m.  Also available are monthly Saturday vaccines clinics and/or fill in days at one of our municipal the shelter affiliates; the schedule can change and may sometimes require weekend or evening hours for meetings, training, or events.   Planned PEThood is committed to maintaining a work schedule that is satisfactory for individual staff members as well as the overall organization and our communities’ animals and their families. 

How to Apply

Please send an email inquiry along with a brief cover letter to let us know "why you'd be the perfect fit for Planned PEThood."  Interested candidates and questions regarding the position can be emailed directly to cjbentley@pethoodga.org