Director of Medicine, Adoption Center

Department:

Adoption Center

Division:

Community Outreach

Location:

New York, NY

Job Summary:

This position supports the function of the Adoption Center Medical Team in delivering care to approximately 4,000 dogs and cats annually. The position entails direct care work in examination, diagnosis and treatment, in addition to coordination and management of services. In addition to helping to manage staff, the position also involves communications with clients and internal ASPCA departments.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain veterinary medicine protocols for all Adoptions animals.
• Train staff, volunteers and veterinary externs on medical protocols for Adoption animals.
• Ensure that the Medical Team performs daily rounds in Adoptions wards, in addition to Bergh wards for those animals being hospitalized.
• Help manage the Medical Team in caring for the shelter animal population; this includes ensuring that animals receive medical exams upon admission and on-going care as appropriate. These services pertain to shelter, foster and “fospice” animals.
• Oversee Medical Team in providing diagnosis and treatment of medical problems for shelter animals, both outpatient and hospitalized animals in Bergh Memorial. When appropriate, the provision of care may include consultations with outside veterinary specialists. When appropriate, utilize per diem veterinarians to ensure work coverage.
• Inform the Senior Vice President of Adoptions, and/or Managers, of medical conditions of Adoption animals, including outbreaks of infectious disease. Attend weekly Kennel Round meetings to inform managers of specific cases requiring special medical attention.
• Provide examination and treatment of shelter animals, as appropriate, including overseeing the selection and care of highly compromised “AC&C Trooper” animals; when appropriate, make euthanasia recommendations based on medical findings.
• In cases warranting euthanasia for medical reasons, discuss each case with the Adoption Center manager(s) and provide written documentation for use in Euthanasia Memorandums.
• Participate in the weekly Animal Health & Welfare meetings: Communicate euthanasia recommendations, review medical details for ACG cases, and ensure smooth communication with colleagues in Bergh and HLE regarding medical issues for Adoptions candidates.
• Client communication, i.e. addressing specific medical needs of shelter animals with prospective adopters, including ensuring that comprehensive write-ups are entered into each animal’s chart and Pet Point log.
• Inter-departmental Communication, i.e. working closely with Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital (BMAH) veterinarians to ensure smooth, prompt case transitions from BMAH to Adoptions.
• Review Bergh Memorial invoices and estimates to ensure that the most cost effective routes are being taken while providing the animal with the fastest route to adoption.
• Intra-departmental Communication, i.e. work closely with other areas of the Adoption Center such as the Intake, Behavior and Volunteer Programs, to ensure that work-flow is smooth and animals are processed appropriately while utilizing available resources efficiently.
• Stay abreast of shelter medicine practices and trends, in order to employ these at the Adoption Center when applicable; work with the shelter managers to implement appropriate protocols related to disinfection, population segregation, animal dietary requirements, and animal-safe supplies.
• Training Programs for Interns and Externs: Oversee Bergh Veterinary Interns rotating through Adoption Center during Shelter Medicine Rotation, and oversee Shelter Medicine Extern Program. The latter program entails selection, training and supervision of 40-45 veterinary students annually who join the ASPCA for periods of 2-4 weeks during which they gain exposure to Shelter Medicine.
• Provide medical information and representation to other departments of the ASPCA, to the public and to the media.
• Public relations: Represent the “A” to the media, either over the phone, in writing or in person.
• Special Projects: participate on committees as appropriate (e.g. Outcome Committee, Infectious Disease Committee, Skill Based Pay, etc.), contribute to Community Outreach and Animal Health Services projects as needed (e.g. surveys, CIV study, vendor selection, etc.). On call for medical emergencies.

Education:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.),
• Current Licensure in NY State

Experience:

• Negotiable, 5-8 years of practice preferred
• Management experience preferred
• Experience in animal sheltering preferred

Knowledge Requirements:

• Small animal medicine (dogs and cats)

Skills Requirements:

• Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent animal handling skills
• Must be able to use database software, e.g. Pet Point
• Strong organizational skills

Additional Information

• Proven management track record and experience are preferred.

Benefits:

Our generous benefit package includes the following for full-time employees and (if qualified, we offer domestic partner coverage!) Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, 401(k), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Transit checks, Tuition Assistance Program, Training Seminars, EAP, 50% hospital discount, Vacation, Sick, Personal & Company Holiday time off.