Senior Veterinarian

The Senior Veterinarian is responsible for providing exemplary clinical and preventative medicine care for all our collection (invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and rehabilitating animals. The Senior Veterinarian will take a leading role in clinical training of the Veterinary Fellow in collaboration with the Director of Animal Health. Responsible for managing all aspects of the veterinary student preceptorship program, including recruitment, onboarding, directing work, and performance reviews. Responsible for maintaining detailed electronic medical records. Works collaboratively with the Director of Animal Health on determining and implementing policies and procedures. As scheduled, provide rotating, on-call coverage for emergencies.

Essential Functions:

• Provide exemplary clinical and preventative medicine care for all our collection (invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and rehabilitating animals, through strong team-based approaches and communications.
• Performs clinical exams on collection/rehabilitation animals including interpretation of diagnostics (blood, radiographs, ultrasound, skin/fin/gill, etc.) as well as the ability to review and interpret water quality.
• Performs gross necropsies, cytologies, and appropriate post-mortem sample collection for all classes of animals.
• Develops management and treatment plans for collection animals including incorporation of water quality and life support system into medical plans.
• Provides on-call coverage for collection animals as well as stranded marine animals under the care of our Animal Rescue team; expected to use independent judgement and critical thinking to problem solve.
• Creates and maintains clear, concise, and detailed electronic medical records in accordance with written standards in a timely manner. Participates in training, continuing education, research, and conservation.
• Provides in-house lectures on issues of clinical concern (avian influenza, zoonoses, etc.) and other topics relevant to staff
• Performs and supports retrospective research projects and case reviews.
• Performs background research (including literature searches and discussions with primary investigators) in order to provide the best veterinary care to collection animals.
• Collaborates with the Associate Veterinarian on development, review, and implementation of appropriate animal acquisition, disposition, and quarantine protocols to support NAI operations and limit the introduction of parasites and other infectious diseases into the established collection.
• Ensures appropriate and timely communication for animal acquisition and disposition needs are met, including, but not limited to, pre-shipment testing and health certificates.
• Work collaboratively with husbandry staff to ensure all quarantine measures are met.
• Assists technicians in ensuring all medical equipment is maintained and in working order. Responsible for keeping abreast of current trends in veterinary practice and exploring options for new equipment.
• Evaluates, monitors, and executes preventative medicine practices for all collection animals.
• Monitors disease trends in the collection and works collaboratively with husbandry managers to address emergent issues.
• Monitors and analyzes current husbandry practices as they relate to disease prevention and develops collaborative solutions with husbandry staff.
• Coordinate and assist with public/media relations as directed.
• Disseminate important information to colleagues through presentation and publication.
• Maintains Maryland Veterinary License in good standing.
• Enrolls in Maryland PMP (prescription monitoring program); follows guidelines and complies with routine auditing parameters to ensure continued eligibility, maintains baseline knowledge of current prescription drug requirements.
• Attends a minimum of 20 hours of lectures/seminars/workshops annually to obtain mandated continuing education credits.
• Follows protocols set forth by the Maryland Board of Veterinary Medical Practitioners
• Maintains Class II APHIS certification with USDA.
• Working knowledge of current regulatory practices.
• Ability to sign health certificates and understanding of VECHS/electronic platforms.
• Completes triennial CE requirements.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manages implementation of Veterinary Preceptorship program
• Reviews student applications.
• Ensures that documents are up-to-date (manual, quiz, checklist, etc).
• Works with Volunteer Services to ensure that preceptors meet current volunteer criteria and follow National Aquarium protocols.
• Directs daily clinical work of students and provides training/mentorship in veterinary medicine.
• Assists with implementation and organization of preceptorship research project.
• Coordinates preceptor shadowing opportunities with internal ACW partners
• Provides student evaluation feedback.
• Responsible for the clinical mentorship and interpersonal training of the Veterinary Fellow.
• Provides oversight and acts as a sounding board for medical treatment plan formation and case diagnostics.
• Guides communication with both inter and intra-department communications and inspires interpersonal skills for effective collaboration.
• Assists with formation and implementation of veterinary fellow’s research project.
• Provides clinical and leadership mentorship and coaching to the Associate Veterinarian.
• Acts as a sounding board for medical treatment plan formation and case diagnostics.
• Work collaboratively to identify and recommend opportunities to improve inter and intra-department processes or skills.
• Aids in oversight of monthly journal club
• Coordinates routine rounds with ACW Animal Care departments.
• Writes and implements Standard Operating Protocols as directed.
• Provides feedback to the Director of Animal Health on possible ways to improve animal care, welfare, communications with other departments, and standard operating procedures.
• Oversight of nutrition program as directed, including working collaboratively with husbandry staff on natural history reviews as it pertains to captive diet modifications.

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements:

Required

• Veterinary Degree (DVM, VMD, or equivalent overseas degree) from an accredited university. If graduate of a foreign school, must have license to practice veterinary medicine in the United States.
• Seven years as a practicing clinician in an aquarium or zoo preferred, four required.
• Maryland veterinary license
• Class II APHIS certification with the ability to sign USDA Health Certificates for animal shipments (within 3 months of starting).
• Employees assigned to this position will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license, have an acceptable driving record, and possess the ability to drive a variety of vehicles (cars, vans/trucks).
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes weekend and/or evening hours.
• Participate in rotating on-call coverage for the aquarium collection, animals undergoing rehabilitation, and animal rescue response cases; participate in rotation for Veterinary Fellow on call back-up.
• Ability to perform duties that may include walking or standing for extended periods, lifting, climbing ladders, and working closely with others.

Preferred:

• Completion of an internship and/or residency in aquatic/zoo animal medicine preferred.
• ACZM or ABVP board certification preferred.

Competencies:

Intermediate computer skills using MS Office; ability to learn and effectively use all proprietary Aquarium software. Demonstrate strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills. Familiarity with principles and application of positive reinforcement operant training in a zoo/aquarium setting desired. Experience with electronic animal record keeping software (Tracks preferred)