Position Description
The Shelter Veterinarian for the Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control facility (MACC) provides and oversees medical care for animals in the shelter’s custody, in addition to providing medical care for animals fostered and recently placed. Performs high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries for domestic animals. Satisfies current veterinary standards of care.
Typical Duties
- Plans and implements a comprehensive animal health care program including population management, environmental sanitation, record-keeping, disease surveillance, physical examinations, vaccination, parasite control, disease testing, disease treatment, surgery, nutrition, outbreak response, and environmental enrichment for animals in the shelter and in foster homes, consistent with state, local, MPHD, and MACC policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Educates staff and volunteers regarding animal disease and behavior.
- Ensures that each animal receives a physical examination upon intake, and that sick and injured animals are diagnosed, and prescribed treatment
- Assesses and advises as to treatment options for sick or injured animals, including risks and costs thereof.
- Performs many spay/neuter surgeries and other surgeries as needed, such as enucleations, exploratory, wound repair, tumor removal with biopsy, dentals, amputations, etc.
- Provides emergency medical care, including but not limited to IV catheter placement, emergency surgery, transfusions, etc.
- Monitors the health of animals in the shelter (with the shelter staff), performs diagnostic procedures, and provides timely treatment
- Provides leadership, direction, guidance and training for veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and other shelter staff, including training and oversight in sedation and euthanasia.
- Develops written protocols for the shelter’s veterinary clinic, including diagnostic and treatment plans and animal disposition guidelines.
- Promotes a caring attitude toward all animals and treats animals humanely and with compassion at all times, regardless of circumstances, including those that are sick, injured, feral, or aggressive.
- Advises and works with shelter staff in behavior assessment, behavioral counseling and animal training and enrichment programs.
- Ensures accurate recordkeeping in the computerized medical records system for all medical/surgical care provided, examinations, treatment, communication, and surveillance of disease within the shelter.
- Performs forensic veterinary exams for cruelty/legal cases. This includes but is not limited to crime scene processing, evidence collection and handling, crime scene/live animal photography, live examinations and necropsy, and emergency care. Prepare detailed legal veterinary statements. Attend court and testify as expert witness when required. Maintain confidentiality of evidence/records/case information.
- Budgets, plans, and coordinates veterinary supplies, equipment, and clinic needs.
- Assists with coordination and supervision of veterinary clinics, such as spay/neuter and vaccination of publicly owned animals and feral cats.
- Assists with collaborative programs with colleges and universities, including hosting student and professional interns for structured rotations.
- Ensures compliance with laws and regulations of the TN Board of Veterinary Medicine and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
- Takes initiative to identify and solve problems.
- Prepares regular progress reports. Communicates with internal and external stakeholders as needed for visibility and success of the program.
- Takes initiative to identify and solve problems.
- Performs euthanasia of animals.
- Works cooperatively with the shelter Director and staff.
- Supports and participates in departmental response to disaster and emergency events.
- Fosters a spirit of teamwork and perform duties in a manner that assists the organization in the achievement of its goals and encourages community support of its work.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree from an accredited university.
Licensure
- Active Tennessee license to practice veterinary medicine.
- Must possess (or obtain within sixty days of employment) and must thereafter maintain DEA controlled substances registration to administer, prescribe and dispense controlled substances.
- Valid class “D” driver’s license.
Vaccinations
Must receive pre-exposure rabies vaccinations.
Working Environment/Physical Demands:
- Regular walking and standing.
- Lift up to 50 pounds on a regular and recurring basis.
- Perform routine keyboard operations.
- Lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances.
- Humanely restrain an animal.
- Use protective clothing or gear.
- Must receive pre-exposure rabies vaccinations.
- May risk exposure to toxic and caustic chemicals, and animals/wildlife, including exposure to animal bites, scratches, and diseases such as Rabies, Ringworm, Lyme disease and other zoonoses.
Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply, however at the present time MPHD is not sponsoring individuals through any of the US Government’s employment-based immigration programs.
MPHD seeks to be a socially and culturally responsive organization that acknowledges and addresses historical and current inequities in our public health promotion and practice. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to work with multicultural communities.
Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Experience with high volume spay/neuter and pediatric surgeries.
- Experience volunteering at or working in an animal shelter.
