Career Center

Shelter Veterinarian

Position Description

The Shelter Veterinarian supports East Bay SPCA’s mission to eliminate overpopulation and improve animal welfare. The Shelter Veterinarian is responsible for providing comprehensive care, treatment, and surgical services for the animals entering the East Bay SPCA shelters. This position provides guidance to staff and volunteers in relation to shelter medicine. The Shelter Veterinarian works closely with the medical support staff, shelter team, foster parents, volunteers, and the clinical veterinary service team.

Category: Full-time, Exempt

Location: Oakland, with occasional travel to the Dublin campus

Reports to: VP of Medical Services

Responsibilities

Surgical Care

• Perform surgical procedures on shelter animals including, but not limited to, ovariohysterectomy, orchiectomy/castration, dewclaw removal, hernia repair, teeth extractions, tumor/lump removal, amputations, and enucleations
• Ensure that appropriate medication is administered by veterinary staff within clinical and statutory requirements and supervises the use and security of controlled drugs
• Induce and maintain animals under anesthesia. Operate anesthetic machine and surgical monitoring equipment. Ensure that all animals are monitored while under anesthesia
• Implement and maintain medical record and drug use logs to established standards of veterinary and sheltering practices, ensuring that records are complete, accurate and compliant at all times

Shelter Care

 Regularly perform veterinary health care functions, including examination and treatment of sheltered animals, and aid in the evaluation of the disposition of sheltered and foster animals as needed, within established shelter animal and companion animal health protocols

• Oversee the administration of medications and treatments to shelter animals, ensuring they are completed and monitored appropriately
• Explain medical needs to potential adopters and foster parents and conduct follow-up appointments as needed
• Work collaboratively with the Behavior and Training Manager and other shelter leaders to ensure highest level of behavioral health of shelter animals
• Perform in-house walkthroughs with shelter management team as needed at both facilities and conduct rounds with medical support team
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of shelter animal health protocols, surgical procedures, and companion animal health issues
• Maintain medical records for sheltered animals during rounds and collaborate with the shelter medical support team
• Work collaboratively to ensure the shelter disease control program is appropriately administered
• Ensure that quality client care is provided to staff and volunteers. Provides guidance to staff for situations regarding immediate problem solving
• Consult with specialists on specific medical cases when appropriate
• Euthanize and/or assist with euthanasia of animals as needed in accordance with East Bay SPCA policies and procedures and California state law
• Provide necropsy services when needed
• Assist in the development and implementation of goals, policies and procedures in regard to the animals at East Bay SPCA facilities
• Limited rotation in the veterinary clinic and spay/neuter facilities performing surgery and examinations of client-owned animals only as needed
• Assist with emergency and disaster response as needed

Administration

• Prioritize cases to ensure shelter animals receive care in a timely manner
• Regularly review shelter protocols and collaboratively updates as needed
• Provide medical training to shelter staff as needed
• Attend meetings as needed
• Attend community events to provide education and advice to community members on the proper care of animals.
• Ensure accurate records are entered and maintained in the shelter management and veterinary clinic software systems

Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and a valid California Veterinary License
• Must possess, or have the ability to obtain, a DEA license within 60 days of hire
• Must use fear-free handling methods and become Fear Free Certified within 90 days of hire
• Must have a valid California Driver’s License and insurable driving record for occasional patient transport and driving between campuses in East Bay SPCA’s vehicles
• A minimum of two years-experience as a veterinarian
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with clients, volunteers, fosters and staff both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work cooperatively with the shelter staff and management team
• Computer literate in a Windows environment; proficient in Microsoft Office Applications
• Ability to work independently and to work collegially with other managers and technicians in order to accomplish daily tasks, as well as meet strategic goals
• Demonstrated track record of managing priorities with positive results
• Desire to thrive in a high volume, fast paced environment

Physical Requirements

•  Extended periods of standing, stretching and bending. Must be able to lift 50 pounds independently due to lifting animals for examinations and surgeries
• Ability to perform repeated hand movements in surgery without accommodation

 Work Conditions

•  Work may be performed in an animal shelter environment with exposure to seasonal outdoor conditions. Noise exposure varies, and there may be contact with animal waste and smells
• Shelter animals needing overnight or after-hours care are transferred to emergency clinic partners.

Animal contacts and related injuries, including bites and scratches, may occur  

About East Bay SPCA

The East Bay SPCA has been committed to the welfare of cats and dogs in the communities we serve since 1874. We strive to eliminate animal cruelty, neglect and overpopulation by providing programs and education that support people and companion animals. The East Bay SPCA’s veterinary services clinics are a cut above the rest. In 2015, we achieved accreditation from the American Veterinary Hospital Association (AAHA), placing us in the top 12% of veterinary clinics nationwide. The East Bay SPCA has long realized that the solution to the plight of homeless pets is not only more adoption homes, but access to spay and neuter surgery. The East Bay SPCA was one of the first animal welfare organizations in our community to direct that no animal would leave our facility unaltered. Since 1998, we have performed more than 150,000 surgeries! Our veterinarians and veterinary staff have seen it all: working with shelter animals as well as a healthy practice of privately owned animals.

Connections working at East Bay SPCA