Part Time Seasonal Veterinarian, Kitten Nursery

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 Seasonal Veterinarian at the ASPCA’s Kitten Nursery!

The Kitten Nursery cares for over 1,500 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 and partner shelters. 

To succeed in this role, the Nursery Veterinarian will be a skilled clinician with a passion for attending to the welfare of each animal and the entire shelter population equally. S/he 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 Nursery Veterinarian must also be an excellent communicator and collaborator team player, as well as someone who excels at guiding and coaching team members in providing quality medical care for animals.

This is a part time, seasonal role, 24 hours/week with one weekend day (Saturday or Sunday), April through mid-November.

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 One-Fund 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)
• Maintain regular and close communication with veterinary colleagues in other ASPCA programs, including with AAH regarding care of hospitalized patients, Community Medicine (CM), and Adoption Center staff regarding medical needs and animal flow between the populations
• Ensure that in-house and foster animals receive medical exams upon admission and are provided with on-going 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. Work with appropriate staff, including but not limited to the Medical Supervisor, Medical Staff Manager, and Animal Logistics Manager to ensure timely scheduling and delivery of medical care
• Oversee all other aspects 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 seasonal veterinary staff and the Medical Supervisor
• 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
• Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Follow and enforce all written and verbally communicated Kitten Nursery SOPs
• Offer input and feedback on medical protocols and standards of care
• Obtain continuing education as required by ASPCA and state licensing board
• Provide medical information and representation to other ASPCA departments, public and media
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Teach and Coach Quality Patient Care (40%):

• With the Medical Supervisor, 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 handling of cats and kittens
• Teach and mentor nursing and 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 adoption follow-up and foster support via email, phone and in-person; step in 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

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

Our EEO Policy:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.