JOB/POSITION TITLE: Chief Veterinarian

STATUS: Exempt

Reports To: President & CEO

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

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, 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/FUNCTIONS:

• Develop, implement, and monitor medical programs that improve the 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 to ensure Hawaiian Humane's operations are conducted using appropriate and up-to-date medical and surgical practices.
• Collaborate with the Director of Operations to coordinate staff and volunteer trainings and mentorship to ensure we are using and working towards best practices in animal welfare in all areas of animal operations.
• Supervise, coach and mentor staff Veterinarians and Veterinary interns/externs, specifically to their provision of veterinary medicine and surgery.
• Work in conjunction with the Veterinary Services Manager to supervise staff Veterinarians and Veterinary interns regarding core values outside of medicine and surgery.
• Create training programs for staff Veterinarians and Veterinary interns.
• Maintain a culture of collaboration and teamwork among the entire Veterinary Services team.
• 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 Hawaiian Humane's philosophy and goals to Veterinarians, vendors, the public, media, law enforcement and other animal welfare related organizations.
• Perform surgical procedures on a daily 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 Hawaiian Humane regulations and procedures.
• Participate in euthanasia decision making. Train and certify staff to perform euthanasia procedures. Collaborate with the 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.
• Work with Field Services staff and Veterinarians to triage all incoming cases related to Field Services work.
• Consult and provide assistance to patrons and external Veterinarians regarding animals at or adopted from Hawaiian Humane.
• 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.
• Monitor and evaluate departmental/area processes and procedures alongside the Veterinary Services Manager to maximize efficient uses of resources.
• 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. Keeps abreast of veterinary and shelter medicine trends.

OTHER DUTIES/FUNCTIONS:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION COMPETENCIES:

Organizational Key Competencies

• Integrity and Ethics
• Adapting to Change and Ambiguity
• Customer and Community Focus
• Emotional Intelligence
• Excellence

Leadership Key Competencies

• Project and Process Management
• Delivering Results
• Developing Direct Reports
• Building and Leading Effective Teams

Position Key Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Community Partnerships
• Conflict Management
• Financial Acumen
• Strong Leadership
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Innovation
• Team Building
• People Development
• Project Management
• Strong teaching and mentorship skills
• Strategic Thinking

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility

• Veterinarians
• Externs and Interns
• Managers
• Volunteers

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.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Required

• Doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine
• Current Hawaii veterinary license with clean practice record
• Current DEA license or ability to obtain DEA license
• 3-5 years' experience practicing veterinary medicine in a full service, high surgical volume environment
• Experience in shelter medicine and/or HQ/HV setting
• Ability to effectively lead a team
• Demonstrated excellent surgical skills
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• High emotional intelligence
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing
• Effective time management skills with the ability to triage cases and workload
• Ability to work well within a fast-paced environment
• High attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
• Valid driver's license and insurable driving record
• On call availability

Desired

• Experience performing orthopedic surgeries.
• Leadership or management experience in clinic, hospital, or shelter environment
• Experience with PetPoint or similar animal shelter software program

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.

About Hawaiian Humane Society

Hawaiian Humane Society is a mission-driven animal welfare organization staffed with over 100 passionate professionals and a volunteer team of 600 strong. All roles require compassion for animals and people alike, superb public service, a proven track record of high performance and bias for action. Hawaiian Humane offers a comprehensive and generous benefits package to our team members. Our benefits are designed to help our staff lead healthy, productive and rewarding lives.

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