Veterinarian - Shelter Veterinary Services

The Dumb Friends League has an opening for a Veterinarian in Shelter Veterinary Services at the Leslie A. Malone Center.

Join a great team of professionals who are excited about the mission. Diverse work including clinical, surgical and client facing appointments (foster and adoptive families). Influence the next generation of technicians, assistants, and veterinarians through various schools and training programs throughout the country. Be inspired to increase your own capabilities in a fast-paced environment where every day is different! Working in partnership with other teams, you will help prevent and alleviate animal suffering and homelessness. The League offers competitive pay and amazing benefits. The schedule for this role is two 10-hour shifts, including Saturdays.

Responsibilities

• Provide outstanding veterinary care to homeless and owned pets, including physical exams, diagnostics, treatment plans, shelter and owner requested euthanasia, and necropsies.
• Perform surgical procedures on a regular basis including HQ/HV spay/neuter, dentistry, and various soft tissue and orthopedic procedures.
• Lead the management of cases, advocating for the best outcome for individual animals within the League’s scope of care.
• Practice incremental medicine, using critical thinking and decision-making skills within the League’s scope of care.
• Participate in euthanasia and euthanasia decision making through a compassionate, thoughtful approach within the shelter and with patrons seeking end of life services for their pet.
• Effectively and compassionately communicate with owners of pets and the community.
• Partner with other departments to effectively and efficiently coordinate care and quarantine of infectious disease animals.
• Contribute to and support a culture of learning generally, and specifically for colleagues, veterinary interns and externs, and veterinary support staff.
• Work with investigations staff regarding the evaluation, documentation, and testimony about the condition of animals involved in cruelty and neglect cases, including testifying if needed.
• Consult and provide assistance to patrons and external veterinarians regarding animals cared for by the League.
• Assist with delivering League specific training programs regarding veterinary care as requested.
• Contribute to and help maintain a culture of collaboration and teamwork within Veterinary Services and across the League.
• Contribute to initiatives to improve processes and procedures.
• Manage and maintain accurate medical and surgical records.
• Remain current on trends in veterinary medicine, and in shelter medicine in particular.
• Work, when requested, with the League’s Community Veterinary Services team, providing urgent care services for owned pets, HQ/HV spay/neuter services and vaccination clinics.
• Assume periodic overnight on call responsibilities for shelter and foster animals, by phone, in support of overnight staff.

People Care

People are the key to fulfilling our mission. Making internal and external patrons and their needs a primary focus is expected in all situations. This position interacts with and collaborates with employees at all levels of the organization. Communication occurs through face to face, telephone, and electronic interactions and may also include contact with the general public and League business partners. Communication and contact must be clear, understandable, cooperative, professional and respectful in all circumstances. Employees are expected to actively support a positive team environment, directly address conflict, and appropriately express concerns.

Competencies

Competencies are work behaviors and expectations necessary for successful job performance. They encompass knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and actions.

Organizational competencies apply to all jobs at the League; position competencies are specific to this position.

Organizational Key Competencies

• Integrity and Ethics
• Adapting to Change and Ambiguity
• Customer and Community Focus
• Emotional Intelligence
• Excellence

Position Key Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Critical Thinking
• Team Player
• Conflict Management
• Community Partnerships
• Strong Leadership
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Innovation
• Strategic Thinking

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements

Handle and restrain animals of various sizes, weights, and temperaments. Subject to animal bites or scratches. Work performed in high noise level areas. Exposure to cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal dander, and feces. Exposure to radiation in association with performing radiology procedures. Physical efforts require constant bending, stooping, standing, climbing stairs, and walking. Repetitive motion associated with medical and surgical care. Frequent lifting of animals and objects with reasonable accommodation.

Shifts are four 10-hour shifts, Saturday required

Benefits – Please visit our website for a comprehensive list of all offered benefits.

Full Time

• Benefits (medical, dental, and vision)
• Flexible spending accounts
• League-paid Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Holiday Pay
• 401(k)
• Veterinarians are eligible for student loan reimbursement
• And more!

Compensation: Starting at $90,000 annually (starting pay commensurate with market, experience, and equity)

We have compassion and care about our employees, our volunteers, and the community. In a continued effort to ensure the safety of our employees, volunteers, and community members, all Dumb Friends League employees are required to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, or have an approved medical or religious exemption. New employees will be required to provide attestation to their status upon hire or have an approved medical or religious exemption. For questions, reach out to a member of the Human Resources team at jobs@ddfl.org.

Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• High emotional intelligence
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing
• Effective time management skills with the ability to triage cases and workload
• Ability to work well within a fast-paced environment
• High attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs

Required

• Education: Doctoral degree in veterinary medicine
• Experience: Experience practicing veterinary medicine in a full service or shelter environment
• Licensure / Certification: Eligible to obtain a Colorado Veterinary License. If driving a League vehicle, valid driver’s license and insurable driving record are required.

Preferred

• Proficiency with Chameleon
• Skilled HQ/HV spay/neuter surgeon
• Shelter medicine experience