Description

The Chesapeake Humane Society operates a low-cost, high-volume clinic offering preventative veterinary care, spay/neuter surgery, dentals, heartworm treatment, and various surgical procedures.  The Medical Director is responsible for providing veterinary oversight, establishing and maintaining protocols, and performing high-quality surgical procedures and other routine veterinary services in a fast-paced setting.

CHS’s veterinary clinic provides low-cost, high-quality veterinary care to the public. Our public services are open to canines and felines. CHS’s shelter and crisis boarding programs serve canines, felines, rabbits, and other small animals such as guinea pigs, rats, mice, ferrets, and birds.

The Medical Director has clinical responsibilities (approximately 75%) and administrative responsibilities (approximately 25%). Clinic practice includes: performing HQHVSN surgeries, dental surgeries, and additional soft-tissue surgeries as needed, conducting vaccine appointments and sick visits for pets whose owners rely on CHS for affordable care, performing examinations and determining treatment plans for our in-house and foster population of shelter pets, and administering heartworm treatment according to the American Heartworm Society protocol. Administrative responsibilities include: upholding and updating CHS’s current medical procedures and protocols in keeping with industry best practices; establishing new protocols as needed; providing insight and oversight for in-house and foster animals with complex medical or surgical needs; and leading and mentoring a cohesive and productive medical staff in partnership with the Clinic Manager.

The Medical Director acts as a liaison among multiple departments within the organization to ensure optimal treatment and outcomes for animals who come into CHS’s care. Therefore, the successful applicant must possess excellent interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills and be able to work effectively with staff members who have varying levels of medical knowledge. The ability to think practically about medical care, balancing animal welfare and “gold standard” practices with cost and reasonable outcomes, is essential. 

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the Veterinarian In Charge on all legal documentation and accounts for the clinic and Supervising Veterinarian for the shelter
• Ensure the veterinary team and the facilities comply with all applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, regulations, and ordinances, including the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, and OSHA
• Develop and maintain protocols for all aspects of veterinary care and advise on shelter animal care protocols
• Assess patients’ health and medical histories as they relate to their qualification as surgery/service candidates
• Perform spay, neuter, dental, and other surgical and animal medical procedures
• Oversee vaccine clinics and perform medical procedures as necessary
• Oversee and perform surgical monitoring, administration of pre-anesthetic and anesthetic drugs, and post-surgical monitoring through discharge
• Maintain the clinic-controlled substance log with the assistance of the lead Licensed Veterinary Technician
• Supervise, support, and train Associate Veterinarians and Licensed Veterinary Technicians.
• Participate in continuing education programs in accordance with state requirements
• Provide medical counseling to clients
• Perform veterinary services for Chesapeake Animal Services (CAS) per the contract between CAS and CHS

Working Relationships and Direct Reports 

The Medical Director is part of the Leadership Team at CHS. The Leadership team consists of the Executive Director, the Medical Director, the Clinic Manager, the Shelter Manager, the Assistant Shelter Manager, the Crisis Boarding and Outreach Manager, and the Associate Director.

The Leadership Team must work collaboratively to ensure our mission and goals are carried out effectively and efficiently. Leadership Working Relationships, including but not limited to:

• Work in collaboration with the Executive Director and Associate Director for program goals, budgeting, reports, and team meetings
• Work in cooperation with the Clinic Manager to ensure all clinic protocols are upheld and ordering is fulfilled
• Work in collaboration with the Clinic Manager to ensure appropriate clinic staff are hired and provide HR support as needed
• Work in collaboration with the Clinic Manager to set a positive tone and create a healthy and uplifting work environment for the staff
• Work in collaboration with the Shelter Manager to ensure a smooth process for shelter animals, including fosters, in need of surgical procedures or veterinary exams
• Work in collaboration with the Shelter Manager for efficient DVM shelter rounds
• Work in collaboration with the Crisis Boarding and Outreach Manager to provide appropriate medical care for pets in our Crisis Boarding program
• Work with the Shelter Manager and Executive Director in making decisions about euthanasia, using CHS’s Asilomar Matrix

Direct Reports, including but not limited to: Associate Veterinarians and Licensed Veterinary Technicians

Indirect Reports: Clinic Manager, Veterinary Assistants, and Client Service Representatives

Other Duties

• Work cooperatively with all staff and volunteers to promote the CHS mission
• Uphold and embrace CHS’s Workplace Culture Agreement in all aspects of work
• Participate in leadership team meetings
• Attend board meetings as requested
• Engage visitors in non-confrontational, educational conversations regarding animal care, surrender, sheltering policies, etc.
• Perform other duties as necessary