Are you ready to join a positive organization that empowers our team members to make a difference in the community? We currently have an opportunity for a shelter veterinarian. Although this individual would be responsible for the care of the shelter animals, the organization utilizes 24 hour facilities if care is required after hours. Come be part of a collaborative veterinary team!

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, Dublin; must be willing to travel between locations

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 with the shelter management team to ensure the daily administration of the shelter disease control program
• 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 regards 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 need.
• Assist with emergency and disaster response as needed.

  Administration

• Prioritize cases to ensure shelter animals receive care in a timely manner
• Oversee the shelter medical support team
• Regularly review shelter protocols and updates as needed
• Provide medical training to shelter staff as needed
• Conduct euthanasia certification training
• Attend meetings as needed
• Attend community events to provide education and advice to community members on the proper care of animals.
• Work collaboratively with the VP of Medical Services to create the annual medical support budget
• Manage the medical support budget to ensure fiduciary responsibility within the department
• Ensure accurate records are entered and maintained in the shelter management and veterinary clinic software systems
• Participate in writing educational materials and articles for East Bay SPCA