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Community Services Veterinarian

Job Details

Full Time

Description

Summary 

Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (HARP), one of the largest animal welfare organizations in Pennsylvania, is seeking an experienced, energetic, and engaged shelter veterinarian to join our growing team! This is a combined position in shelter medicine, clinical medicine, and surgery.   The ideal candidate will share our vision and passion for the humane and ethical treatment of animals within the community. Our doctors provide high-quality medical and surgical care to both shelter animals and public clinic patients.  

Our medical team shares a strong commitment to community programs such as Pet Retention Program, Pet Food Pantry, Community and Working Cat Programs, Humane Health Coalition, and Street Medicine and Outreach. We also provide medical and surgical care as needed for a large variety of wildlife at HARP’s Wildlife Center.  

 

OUR PURPOSE 

HARP operates three facilities: two large shelters, both with full service Veterinary Medical Centers open to the public, and a Wildlife Center run by licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialists. The shelters are both open door/managed admission and committed to providing the animals and people in the community with high-quality, low-cost wellness care and veterinary services. Our East End location recently moved into a state-of-the-art facility that includes modern, low-stress housing for shelter animals, a full surgical suite, digital radiography, ultrasound, electrocautery, suction and a full in-house diagnostic lab (Idexx Procyte, Catalyst and Sedivue). Our North Side location also has a full surgical suite, digital radiography, ultrasound and a full in-house diagnostics lab. 

HARP has a mobile clinic unit that now provides care at two free outside clinics per month, although we are looking to expand this service. The mobile clinic provides veterinary care to housing-challenged individuals and housed low-income individuals. 

The HARP medical team is also committed to mentorship, which includes a veterinary student extern program, in-house and off-site CE opportunities for our veterinary staff. This is an exciting and unique opportunity for a veterinarian who is interested in working in an environment that offers the opportunity to pursue high quality, progressive shelter and clinical practice. 

HARP provides competitive pay and excellent benefits and PTO to our employees. Applicants are eligible for signing and relocation bonuses. Our Veterinary positions are PSLF eligible.  

 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES 

  • Responsible for medical care for owned animals, and shelter animals as needed.  Veterinarians are primarily scheduled at the East End or Northside; however, they may be scheduled on our mobile unit. Variable work schedule, including weekend rotation.  

  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of shelter animal health protocols, surgical procedures and companion animal health issues. Ensure compliance with Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (HARP) approved standards and national guidelines. Ensure that all state and federal laws, state regulations, and veterinary accepted standards regarding clinic operations, the practice of veterinary medicine, drug control and animal care and handling are adhered to. 

  • Help with shelter animal medical care as needed. May be asked to perform exams or prescribe treatments in routine or emergent situations. 

  • Help develop and implement protocols for superior veterinary care and disease control. 

  • Perform veterinary medical procedures, appropriate for the care of shelter animals, and owned animals; administer treatments, including vaccinations, when needed to ensure the health of shelter animals; prescribe and administer medications and anti-parasite treatments; perform diagnostic procedures. 

  • Perform all necessary client-requested euthanasia according to established protocols. 

  • Coordinate with local veterinarians and clinic/shelter professionals to promote positive and productive relationships. 

  • Establish and maintain medical record and drug use logs to standards of veterinary and sheltering practices; ensure that records are in order and complete. 

  • Allow for scheduling flexibility to cover for emergencies (i.e. staff veterinarian call off on a fully scheduled clinic day). 

  • Serve as positive mentor to veterinary technicians, veterinary technician students, pre-vet student volunteers, and veterinary student externs. 

  • Rotate on call weekly with other staff veterinarians. On call for shelter/foster animals only. 

  • Assist in training staff. 

  • Maintain positive relationships with co-workers, managers, directors, clients, and stakeholders. 

  • Ensure confidentiality of employee, client, and animal information. 

  • Work at HARP Humane Health Coalition clinics as scheduled. Maintain and develop positive relationships with HHC and SDC clients. 

  • This is an exempt, full-time, 40-hour-per-week position, which may include one weekend day. 

 

Work Environment:  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee could be exposed to hazards associated with aggressive animals.  The employee will primarily be working in an office environment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

  

Physical Demands:  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to bend, stand, stoop, walk, sit, talk, listen, hear; use hands to finger, manipulate, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee must be able to lift/or move up to at least 50 pounds. 

 

Additional Information: 

  • Reliable transportation is a must. 

  • Travel between both of HARP’s large domestic shelters. 

  • Must be a self-guided individual requiring minimal supervision. 

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: 

  • Doctorate: Veterinary Medicine (Required) 

  • Current Veterinary License to practice in state of Pennsylvania (or ability to obtain) 

  • USDA APHIS Certified (or willingness to enroll in certification) 

  • Valid driver’s license 

  • DEA license (or willingness to apply) 

  • Experience and/or interest in shelter medicine preferred. 

  • Candidates are expected to be able to manage basic 15-minute wellness appointments and 30-minute sick appointments. 

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