Veterinarian - Blount County Animal Center

The Animal Center Veterinarian oversees the medical care of all animals within the clinic by  providing high-quality medical care to shelter animals, including spay/neuter, treatment of various medical conditions; including but not limited to medication dosing and surgeries. This position assists in developing, advancing, and implementing shelter medicine protocols while delivering and ensuring humane medical treatment for all animals at the Blount County Animal Center.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Coordinate and Direct Shelter Medical Procedures and Operations

• Lead the evaluation and establishment of the Blount County Animal Center’s (BCAC) medical protocols, policies, and procedures;
• Administer medications and maintain accurate records of BCAC medications, vaccinations, treatments, etc., while accurately supervising medication supply inventories;
• Actively participate as a member of the medical leadership team; support applicable BCAC meetings; volunteers; and staff; 
• Fulfill commitments to sponsors and donors, as needed, in a manner that will support BCAC; including participating in events and media opportunities, when possible;
• Perform shelter veterinarian duties in a manner which promotes the attainment of the goals, contributions, and professionalism for all BCAC programs, including volunteer programs;

Provide Leadership to Animal Center Personnel

• Ensure proper training and supervise veterinary staff, volunteers, veterinary students and interns; including timely reviews;
• Determine immediate and decisive medical decisions during an unplanned medical crisis; including euthansia, if necessary;
• Coordinate with the Animal Center Director to ensure appropriate BCAC staff members are certified in euthanasia;

Perform All Duties of a Shelter Veterinarian

• Evaluate the health status of incoming animals and make recommendations for disposition;
• Provide medical services to all shelter and foster animals, including physical examinations, diagnostics, medical rounds, and various treatments; including preventative healthcare;
• Perform sterilization surgeries and other surgical procedures for shelter animals as deemed necessary for the animals well-being;
• Determine when outsourcing for surgery or treatment is needed;
• Recommend and/or perform euthanasia when deemed medically necessary;
• Provide on-call services for shelter animal emergencies via telephone triage, or in person service when necessary;
• Ensure the proper inventory, storage, and records of all controlled substances to DEA standards;
• Provide health certificates to interstate transports;
• Collaborate with Animal Control, local law enforcement, and District Attorney on cases of cruelty and neglect; including animal examinations, testings, necropsy, evidence documentation, written reports, and court expert witness testimony;
• Maintain professional credibility to BCAC’s endeavors to care for all BCAC animals;
• Maintain appropriate licensing and complete required continuing education courses;
• Adhere to state regulations and organizational protocol regarding animal care, treatment, advocacy, and the mission of BCAC;
• Take immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the Animal Center at risk; and
• Perform other required duties relative to shelter veterinarian medicine job duties.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK

• Current license in the State of Tennessee to practice veterinary medicine required;
• DEA license, preferred but not required;
• Two (2) years of experience, preferred but not required; and
• Valid driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Consistently provide shelter medicines and treatments for all BCAC animals while conducting high volume spay/neuter activities.
• Excel within the frenetic nature of a shelter environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven organizational, time management, and planning skills are essential.
• Communicate skillfully and effectively with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers, and community in a professional, pleasant, and respectful manner at all times; including supporting board, rescue and transport coordinators, recent adopters, and other veterinarians.
• Execute good judgment while under pressure.
• Analytical abilities to identify and access department issues while offering a reasonable course of action resulting in a successful remedy.
• Creatively solve problems using existing resources.
• Develop and foster a positive work environment.
• Approachable mentor capable of motivating and mentoring others.
• Guide and develop staff, interns, and volunteers to work as a cohesive team; while also holding individuals and work units accountable for their results within the guidelines of BCAC policies and procedures as outlined by the Animal Center Director.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, reach, lift, and manipulate objects, tools and/or controls. The position requires mobility. Duties may involve moving materials weighing up to 50 pounds on a regular basis. Manual dexterity and coordination are required over 50% of the work period while operating veterinary equipment, shelter equipment, and office equipment such as computer keyboard, mouse, calculator and similar machines. The position requires hearing, mental acuity, speaking, and visual acuity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Exposure to zoonotic diseases, hazardous substances, and other risks are to be expected. Most work is performed in a well-lighted, modern kennel setting with centrally controlled heating and air conditioning, or outside in conditions which may include heat, cold, rain, or other inclement weather.

BENEFITS

Reimbursement for license fees, malpractice insurance, and local CE expenses to meet the minimum state requirements for maintaining licensing. Full time benefits include medical, prescription, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, optional USAble, paid holidays, paid sick days, paid vacation, EAP, retirement planning, pension, employee clinic, employee discounts, and more.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Blount County Government participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.