Veterinarian

Job Overview

Title: Veterinarian

Reports to: Director of Operations and Lead Veterinarian

Status: Part-Time, Contracted

Summary: The Dubuque Regional Humane Society (DRHS) is seeking a Contracted Part-Time Veterinarian to provide professional veterinary services in collaboration with our Lead Veterinarian. This position plays a vital role in ensuring the health and well-being of shelter animals through medical evaluation, preventative care, and treatment. Working approximately 10 hours per week, the contracted veterinarian will support the shelter’s overall animal care strategy, while maintaining full compliance with state and federal veterinary regulations.

This is a contracted role, not a position of employment, and compensation will be based on an agreed-upon weekly rate. The veterinarian will operate as an independent contractor in accordance with State of Iowa guidelines and will not be eligible for employee benefits.

Essential Job Functions

Animal Care

• Perform medical examinations, care, monitoring, and health of animals in the care of the DRHS, including foster animals.
• Perform spay/neuter and other surgeries.
• Examine animals, evaluate animals’ health, and perform veterinary medical and surgical procedures including vaccinations, prescribing and administering medications, anti-parasite treatments, tests, and lab work.
• Maintain electronic medical records for animals. Document physical examination findings and any adverse events on appropriate medical records.
• Provide medical guidance to staff responsible for following prescribed treatment and maintaining treatment records for animals brought to the shelter. Ensure that the highest level of service and care are provided and that changes in animals’ conditions are recorded.
• Participate in group discussion regarding euthanasia decisions of animals. Perform humane euthanasia according to established protocols. Provide euthanasia training to selected staff.
• Provide medical information and representation to other DRHS departments.
• Follow all written and verbally communicated DRHS Spay/Neuter Standard Operating Procedures.
• Provide preventative treatments for infections, disease prevention and control, general health, parasite diagnosis and treatment, and dietary evaluations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of shelter animal health protocols, surgical procedures, and companion animal health issues.
• Maintain knowledge of animal inventory and animal health including shelter and foster animals. Make daily rounds to ensure timely identification of medical issues.
• Strive to achieve the Association of Shelter Veterinarian Guidelines of Standards of Care in Animal Shelters as they pertain to the medical care of DRHS animals.

Safety/Legal Compliance, Collaboration, and Oversight

• Function under the medical guidance of the Lead Veterinarian, serving in a collaborative and supportive capacity.
• Dotted-line reporting relationship to the Lead Veterinarian for clinical direction; official reporting line to the Director of Operations.
• Maintain open and regular communication with the Lead Veterinarian regarding shelter health trends, clinical operations, staff & volunteers, and cases of concern.
• In collaboration with the Director of Operations and Lead Veterinarian, ensure proper shelter protocol and solutions for the prevention and management of infectious disease, and develop and manage all DRHS medical protocols.
• Ensure that all state and federal laws, state regulations, accepted standards, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies and procedures regarding clinic operations, the practice of veterinary medicine, drug control, and animal care and handling are adhered to, to ensure a safe work environment.
• Ensure adequate inventory of supplies, medications, and drugs including DEA-regulated substances.
• Participate in local, regional, and national veterinarian associations.

Requirements

• Have steadfast belief in the mission, policies, and procedures of the DRHS
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited college or university.
• Possession of a current license to practice in the state of Iowa.
• At least one (1) year of professional Veterinarian experience is preferred.
• Effective decision making and diagnostic skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Work collaboratively with diverse groups of people including volunteers, department supervisors, and staff, and make decisions in the best interest of the organization.
• Strong organization, interpersonal, and multi-tasking skills. Able to prioritize and adhere to deadlines. Detail oriented and resourceful.