Description

Job Description

Title: Veterinarian

Departments: Clinic

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Direct Reports: None

Who We Are

The Animal Protective Foundation (APF) is an animal welfare organization serving the greater Capital Region since 1931. Our vision is a community where all companion animals are loved, respected, and receive exceptional care.

We also promote life-work balance and are committed to supporting all of our team members by giving them the opportunity to earn a living wage, offering generous PTO, and matching contributions to our 401(k) plan. Full-time staff are eligible for health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.

In a recent survey conducted by the University of North Carolina Charlotte, the Animal Protective Foundation’s staff satisfaction was in the top tier for peer animal shelters nationwide.

Position Summary

The veterinarian is a New York State licensed professional employee of the APF primarily responsible for working with staff to provide medical care for publicly owned pets through the APF’s high quality high volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) clinic.  The veterinarian will also have the opportunity to care for APF’s shelter pets as needed. The veterinarian will represent the APF with professionalism in all interactions with staff, government agencies, the Board of Directors, and the public. 

 The veterinarian will further support the growth of APF’s public veterinary care, including high-volume community pet wellness clinics and low-cost public euthanasia services.  

 Internally, the veterinarian works in close coordination with other veterinarians, shelter and clinic veterinary staff, leadership team, volunteers and other APF team members. Externally, the veterinarian may have interactions with APF clients, representatives of the community, rescue organizations, other veterinary professionals, vendors, and county health department representatives. 

 The veterinarian must be a professional, self-motivated, positive, goal oriented, and organized individual with excellent interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills. The veterinarian must communicate in a way that demonstrates and promotes collaboration, cooperation, problem solving and interpersonal skills to foster a positive work environment, teamwork and productivity

Essential Functions

General Duties:

• Perform spay and neuter surgeries in our HQHVSN clinic, as well as occasional general surgeries and dental procedures on shelter pets.

• Participate in off-site community pet wellness clinics hosted by the APF for financially struggling pet owners. Participation includes examining, vaccinating, and/or microchipping publicly owned cats and dogs. 

• Provide examination, vaccination, and treatment as necessary for shelter animals. 

• Provide low-cost euthanasia services for public pets as needed. 

Leadership:

• Responsible for promoting and role modeling a positive and professional work environment. Provides coaching and effective training to keep staff at a level necessary to achieve APF’s mission, goals and highest quality of animal and client care.
• Provide training and information to APF staff as needed to ensure an outstanding standard of care is maintained.
• If needed, provide continuing training for current/future certified euthanasia technicians to perform euthanasia procedures for publicly owned animals and shelter animals. 

Record Keeping:

• Ensure records of all controlled drugs are current and compliant with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Ensure animal database and related veterinary records are accurate and up-to-date.

Perform other duties as assigned by the COO, CEO, or VMD.

Working Conditions

Ability to stay standing or active during entire shift. Must be able to lift a minimum of 30 lbs. Work performed both in and out of the facility requires lifting, bending, stooping, pushing and other strenuous activities.

Requires flexibility and high energy. Must be comfortable handling companion animals such as cats, dogs, and small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc.) of varying sizes, temperaments, ages, and backgrounds. May have contact with animal waste, kennel cleaners and disinfectants, soiled kennels, animal bedding and dishes. May be exposed to loud noises or exposed to zoonotic diseases. Will have access to protective equipment such as gloves, protective eye and ear wear, etc.

Position Specifications

• Education and Experience: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent. Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. Two years of experience is highly desirable but not required. Experience with high volume spay/neuter surgical setting is highly desirable. Fear Free Certified preferred. Previous dental surgery experience is preferred.
• Licenses: Possession and maintenance of a license to practice as a veterinarian issued by the State of New York Education Department, Office of Professions. A valid Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certificate is highly desirable but not required.
• Knowledge: Current principles, practices, techniques, and policies of veterinary medicine, including disease identification, prevention, control, and eradication. Utilization and effects of medications for animals. Safety policies, procedures, and practices as they relate to veterinary medicine and shelter environments including zoonotic diseases. Local, State and Federal animal health laws and regulations. Understanding of herd health and/or shelter medicine concepts. Preoperative, surgical, and postoperative procedures involved in performing spay and neuter surgeries.
• Vaccinations: Must be vaccinated against rabies, with proof of current titer test results, or willing to obtain rabies vaccination.

Additional requirements:

Successful completion of a background check.

Must be available by phone to support vet or shelter team as needed, primarily for emergencies, typically during normal scheduled hours.

NOTE:

The Animal Protective Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, familial status, genetic information, citizenship, domestic violence victim status, prior arrest record, or prior criminal conviction.