Summary:
Are you a highly skilled, compassionate veterinarian with a passion for helping at-risk cats and kittens? Do you excel in a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment? Is working with a dynamic and dedicated team in a mission-driven organization the description of your dream job? If so, you should consider the role of Veterinarian, Kitten Nursery at the ASPCA!
The Kitten Nursery cares for hundreds of underage kittens and their mothers in a dedicated nursery environment as well as through an expanding foster program. The Kitten Nursery is a seasonal program operating during the feline breeding season. Once these kittens are healthy and happy 8-week-olds, the Kitten Nursery helps them get ready for adoption through the ASPCA Adoption Center. Outside of kitten season, the Kitten Nursery Veterinarian supports other ASPCA programs in NYC.
To succeed in this role, the Kitten Nursery Veterinarian will be a skilled clinician with a passion for attending to the welfare of each animal and the entire shelter population equally. They must have a solid understanding of shelter medicine principles and be extremely well organized and efficient to operate in a fast-paced, continually changing environment. The Kitten Nursery Veterinarian must also be an excellent communicator who collaborates successfully with team members, as well as someone who excels at guiding and coaching team members in providing quality medical care for animals.
*This role is part-time (3 days/weekly) and year round.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
Provide High Quality Patient and Population Care (60%):
- Provide high-quality, practical, compassionate, and cost-efficient veterinary care to kittens and cats in accordance with ASPCA guidelines, and shelter medicine principles and best practices
- Provide skilled and efficient diagnosis and treatment of patients with timely recognition of, and planning for, conditions requiring care through the ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH)
- Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques.
- Maintain regular and close communication with veterinary colleagues in other ASPCA programs to coordinate care for patients, to meet medical needs and to determine animal flow between populations.
- Ensure that in-house and foster animals receive medical exams upon admission and are provided with ongoing care as appropriate; ensure veterinary care provided is aligned with, and contributes to, the efficient and humane flow of animals from intake through outcome.
- Document physical exam findings and a plan in appropriate medical records. Ensure timely scheduling and delivery of medical care by effectively coordinating with key stakeholders among medical staff, logistics team and leadership.
- Oversee all other aspects of the delivery of veterinary care including pre and postoperative care, foster appointments, emergency care, restraint, and treatment.
- Collaborate with the Midwest Office Call Center to provide input on and support for overnight emergency processes; rotate on-call coverage with other veterinary staff and the Veterinary Staff and Program Manager.
- Play a leading role in daily rounds; ensure individual patients and the population are assessed daily and treatment/intervention recommendations are implemented in a timely fashion.
- Ensure appropriate use of quarantine and isolation spaces to manage herd health effectively; ensure appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Guide appropriate and timely decisions about euthanasia – with attention to animals’ physical, medical, social and behavioral needs collectively. Assist with and/or perform humane euthanasia.
- Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
- Follow and enforce all written and verbally communicated Kitten Nursery Standard Operating Procedures.
- Offer input and feedback on medical protocols and standards of care.
- Follow all departmental personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning protocols.
- Work to support other NYC ASPCA departments (including, but not limited to the Animal Recovery Center, Canine Annex for Recovery and Enrichment, Community Medicine, and Community Engagement) as assigned during the Kitten Nursery’s off-season.
- Obtain continuing education as required by ASPCA and state licensing board and keep current.
- Provide medical information and representation to other ASPCA departments and to the public.
- Deploy with Community Engagement, Community Medicine, Field Investigations & Response or Relocation up to twice per year.
- Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Teach and Coach Quality Patient Care (40%):
- With the Veterinary Staff and Program Manager, contribute to a culture of learning at the Kitten Nursery, including ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment, active participation in goal setting and monitoring, clear expectations, and regular practice of feedback and after-actions.
- Model a standard of continual commitment to improvement in all aspects of Kitten Nursery care and the humane and low stress handling of cats and kittens.
- Stay current with shelter medicine principles and best practices, including departmental protocols and processes.
- Teach and mentor animal care staff on shelter medicine principles and Kitten Nursery shelter medicine protocols.
- Direct patient care provided by medical team members.
- Ensure the medical team provides timely foster support via email, phone, and in-person; step in as needed, particularly to handle situations that require a higher level of decision-making.
- Inform and advise relevant internal stakeholders of medical conditions of shelter animals, including outbreaks of infectious disease.
- Attend all staff meetings and training sessions.
- Mentor and train externs and interns.
Qualifications:
- Excellent veterinary medical knowledge, including familiarity with shelter medicine principles and best practices.
- Strong clinical skills, including efficient diagnosis and treatment of cats and kittens for a variety of medical conditions.
- Knowledge and familiarity with low-stress animal handling and restraint skills.
- Sound clinical judgement, strong critical-thinking and multi-tasking skills; able to quickly adjust focus and shift priorities based on patient and program needs.
- Ability to work efficiently and calmly in a high-volume, fast-paced environment and effectively multi-task with a high degree of integrity and accountability and without loss of attention to detail.
- Ability to work well within a team and communicate effectively and respectfully with all levels of staff.
- Ability to teach and coach others.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Basic computer skills, including Excel, Microsoft Office, and email; familiarity with PetPoint or other shelter software systems a plus.
- Able to lift 40 pounds.
- Able to work standing for 10 or more hours.
Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:
- Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals.
- Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes.
- Believes in Team – that we are stronger together.
- Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible.
- Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals.
Education:
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (or equivalent degree) from an accredited veterinary college.
- Eligibility for licensure in New York State (NYS) as a veterinarian required; current licensure in NYS strongly preferred.
Compensation and benefits:
Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.
The target hiring range for this role is $88,800 - $93,600, based on the 3-day/24 hour weekly schedule). In addition to a competitive salary, this role offers a signing bonus.
For more information on our benefits offerings, click here.
Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community
If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, please visit our website to join our Talent Community and stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA.
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