Veterinarian

General Definition of Work
Performs difficult advanced technical and complex professional work. This position is responsible for the operations of shelter veterinary services and disease management. The staff veterinarian supervises shelter medicine and disease control programs according to state and local law as well as established protocols, recognized best practices, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervisor of the Animal Services Director. Continuous supervision is exercised over the Veterinary Technician. The normal work schedule includes Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, or other full-time schedule as best meets the needs of the Department. May be required to respond to phone inquiries outside of normal working hours.

Essential Functions
Conducts medical examinations of animals.
Performs spay/neuter surgeries on unsterilized animals.
Performs other surgeries as needed within the available resources and constraints of knowledge, skills and environment.
Monitors daily health status of shelter as part of disease management.
Works with shelter and veterinary staff and directs actions regarding treatments and disease prevention..
Develops and maintains preventive medicine protocols.
Develops and oversees shelter feeding and nutrition program.
Maintains medical and pharmaceutical records for shelter.
Trains staff on matters related to shelter medicine, including requirements to become Certified Rabies Vaccinator and/or Certified Euthanasia Technician.
Provides public vaccinations and microchipping within the standard scope of allowances under the presiding laws and rules of North Carolina.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Comprehensive knowledge of related industry, organization and departmental policies, practices, and procedures. Comprehensive knowledge of related industry, organization and departmental legal guides, recommendations, best practices, ordinance, and laws. Thorough knowledge of veterinary periodicals and white papers as well as new and emerging veterinary techniques. Comprehensive knowledge of shelter medicine standards of care. Comprehensive knowledge of standard office software (spreadsheets, word processing, presentations, databases, etc.). Ability to understand and apply governmental accounting practices in maintenance of financial records. Ability to compute volumes and strengths required to properly medicate animals. Ability to make decisions related to euthanasia of animals. Ability to work and communicate effectively with citizens and staff in difficult situations and emergencies. Ability to maintain composure under stress.

Education and Experience
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD), and 1-3 years' experience in providing veterinary care for cats and dogs, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements
This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires standing, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms and lifting and occasionally requires walking, tasting or smelling and pushing or pulling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring
devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm's length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires animal hair, dander, frequently requires exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather) and occasionally requires working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic). Ability to react quickly to external threats to prevent injury. Exposure to animal hair, dander, and waste

Special Requirements
Valid NC State Veterinary License
Valid driver's license. (There may be an occasional need for the staff veterinarian to meet Field staff in remote areas for reasons related to veterinary forensics, medical treatment of animals or field euthanasia)

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Cleveland County application must be submitted to the Cleveland County Human Resources Department at www.clevelandcounty.com.

SELECTION PROCESS:
Selection will be by structued interview. Applications will be reviewed to select the best qualified applicants for admission to structued interview.

Cleveland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.