This is a unique opportunity to be a part of a dynamic team. We are a passionate, high-performing team who believe that collaboration is key to our success. We do our best work by leveraging each other’s strengths and making sure to create opportunities for the work to be fun and meet our individual goals.

We take our mission seriously: We envision a better world for animals and the people who love them, and we’re dedicated to making that vision a reality.

Are you an energetic and experienced veterinarian with a passion to help shelter animals? Do you thrive in collaboration and get excited by program-building? If your answer is YES, we invite you to apply for the role of Veterinarian at BrightSide Animal Center.

Qualifications and Duties

The Shelter Veterinarian for BrightSide is the lead shelter medical and surgical staff member. Provides direction to the department to establish best practices in shelter medicine and High Quality, High Volume (HQHV) surgical practices. Working in collaboration with clinic manager, establishes appropriate veterinary policies for all shelter operations. Adheres to the highest ethical standards and ensures that veterinary care is provided in a safe, competent, professional, and humane manner. Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the shelter medicine program, including herd management and HQHV spay/neuter. This role requires collaboration and teamwork with contract relief veterinarians, a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), a Veterinary Assistant, and Staff at BrightSide. Interacting with kennel staff, fosters, volunteers, and at times, the public is also required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and practice high quality shelter medicine and surgery at BrightSide Animal Center.
• Perform daily HQHV spay/neuter on all ages and sizes of cats and dogs.
• Manage a varied in-house patient caseload and perform and array of non-spay/neuter surgeries, including soft tissue, dental and orthopedic procedures.
• Develop, implement and monitor veterinary medical programs that achieve and maintain the highest standard of animal and veterinary care in a shelter environment.
• Ensure that BrightSide is staying up to date on best practices in shelter medicine and HQHV surgery.
• Maintain a culture of collaboration and teamwork among the enter shelter medicine team.
• Work with the Clinic Manager and other departments to effectively and efficiently coordinate care and quarantine of infectious disease and affected animals.
• Work with the clinic and other shelter management on animal pathway in relation to animal welfare and SOP development.
• Perform surgical procedures daily including HQHV spays/neuters, dentistry and various soft tissue or orthopedic procedures.
• Perform veterinary medical functions including examinations and treatment of shelter animals.
• Perform necropsies as needed.
• Supervise the use, control and recording of controlled drugs used in department according to federal, state and BrightSide regulations and procedures.
• Work with BrightSide intake staff and local veterinarians to triage all incoming medical cases as needed.
• Participate in euthanasia decision making. Train and certify staff to perform euthanasia procedures. Collaborate on euthanasia training and SOP development.
• Support local law enforcement investigations through evaluation, documentation and testimony about the condition of animals involved in cruelty, neglect, abandonment and other investigation cases. Assist with the coordination of external resources related to the development of veterinary related evidence as needed.
• Assist in the development of SOPs and ensure they are updated and practiced with staff and volunteers.
• Participate in inter-department meetings and discussions to support and develop BrightSide initiatives as needed.
• Commit to ongoing education on veterinary medicine and animal welfare. Remain abreast of veterinary and shelter medicine scientific literature and best practices.
• Assist with grant and funding applications in relation to veterinary and/or shelter medicine.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Current Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and licensed to practice in Oregon.
• Solid veterinary medical foundation and knowledge of shelter medicine principles.
• Attain and uphold a DEA license at BrightSide’s expense within 60 days of employment.
• Passion for providing access to care for animals and making a difference in the community.
• Flexibility in learning new techniques and skills to meet the growing shelter needs.
• Proficiency in high quality, high volume spay/neuter techniques. Must be able to (or the desire to work up to be able to) perform 20-25 spay/neuter surgeries per day, including pediatric spays/neuters, abdominal/inguinal cryptorchid castrations and non-routine spays. Patients are a mix shelter and fosters cats and dogs.
• Interest and desire to learn dental and oral surgery.
• Willingness and ability to work in close quarters in a shelter clinic setting.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to support and lead the medical team is a must.
• Location: Residence or relocation to the BrightSide service area.
• Computer skills: Proficient with Microsoft Office products and willingness to learn appropriate shelter management software and digital record keeping.
• Valid Oregon Driver’s License: Maintaining a satisfactory driving record and valid Oregon Driver’s License are ongoing conditions of employment. Attaining and/or possession of a valid Oregon Driver’s License within 60 days of start of employment is a requirement.