Chief Veterinarian

JOB / POSITION TITLE : Chief Veterinarian

Department : Veterinary Services

STATUS : Exempt

Reports To : President & CEO

Supervises : Veterinarians, Veterinary Services Manager, Spay / Neuter Center Manager, Veterinarian Interns and Externs, and Volunteer Veterinarians

PRIMARY PURPOSE : Serve as Hawaiian Humane Society's lead shelter medical and surgical staff member. Provides direction to the department to establish best practices in shelter medicine and HQHV surgical practices. Working in collaboration with their team and the operations team 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Develop, implement, and monitor medical programs that achieve and maintain the highest standard of animal and veterinary care. Ensuring that we are staying up to date on best practices in shelter medicine and HQHV surgery.
• Collaborate with the veterinary services manager and spay / neuter center manager to monitor and evaluate departmental / area processes and procedures, that we are using appropriate and up-to-date medical and surgical practices, and to maximize efficient uses of resources.
• Collaborate with the Director of Operations to coordinate staff and volunteer training and mentorship to ensure we are using and working towards best practices in animal welfare in all areas of animal operations.
• Supervise, train, coach and mentor staff Veterinarians and Veterinary interns / externs, specifically to their provision of veterinary medicine and surgery.
• Supervise veterinarians and veterinary interns regarding core values outside of medicine and surgery.
• Maintain a culture of collaboration and teamwork.
• Work with the Director of Operations and other departments to effectively and efficiently coordinate care and quarantine of infectious disease and affected animals.
• Serve as a liaison and spokesperson promoting HHS's philosophy and goals to veterinarians, vendors, the public, media, law enforcement and other animal welfare related organizations.
• Perform surgical procedures on a routine basis including high quality, high volume spay / neuter, dentistry, and various soft tissue and orthopedic procedures.
• Perform veterinary medical functions including examination and treatment of shelter animals. Perform necropsies as needed.
• Supervises the use, control, and recording of controlled drugs used in department according to federal, state, and HHS regulations and procedure.
• Participate in euthanasia decision making. Train and certify staff to perform euthanasia procedures. Collaborate with veterinary services manager on euthanasia training and SOP development.
• Work with Field Services investigations staff for evaluation, documentation and testimony about the condition of animals involved in cruelty, neglect, abandonment and other investigation cases. Assist with coordination of external resources related to the development of veterinary related evidence as needed.
• Consult and provide assistance to patrons and external veterinarians regarding animals at or adopted from HHS.
• Develop SOPs and ensure they are updated and practiced with staff and volunteers.
• Work with the veterinary services manager to prepare, understand and implement the annual budget.
• Participate in strategic initiatives as appropriate
• Recruit, hire, develop, coach and counsel veterinarians and assist in the process for support staff.
• Participate in inter-departmental meetings and discussions to support and develop Hawaiian Humane Society initiatives, as needed.
• Educates oneself concerning veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and staff supervision. Keep abreast of veterinary and shelter medicine scientific literature and best practices.

OTHER DUTIES / FUNCTIONS :

Position Competencies :

Organizational Key Competencies

Leadership Key Competencies

Position Key Competencies

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility

Position Qualifications : Education, Experience, Certification, and Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Required

Desired

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements

Handle and restrain animals of various sizes, weights, and temperaments. Subject to animal bites or scratches. Work performed in high noise level areas, indoors and outdoors. Exposure to cleaning chemicals, anesthesia, pharmaceutical compounds, fumes, dust, animal dander, and feces. Exposure to radiation in association with performing radiology procedures. Physical efforts require constant bending, stooping, standing, climbing stairs, and walking. Repetitive motion associated with medical and surgical care. Frequent lifting of animals and objects with reasonable accommodation.

The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory, or all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.