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Job Summary:  

Be part of changing the world by doing what you love! Come work for an organization located in vibrant Washington, D.C. that drives innovation and national collaboration in the realm of animal welfare. The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA), a celebrated leader in animal welfare, seeks a veterinarian to join our medical team. Gain excellent surgical and medical experience working alongside a great mentorship team and a large, experienced medical support team. New graduates are encouraged to apply!

As a Veterinarian, in an open admission animal shelter, you'll have the opportunity to learn and grow your skills by treating a diverse array of animal species in addition to performing a variety of surgeries. You will also provide medical expertise to our Humane Law Enforcement team in assessing, documenting, and treating cruelty and neglect cases. HRA has a strong community outreach focus and provides medical care to the community through low-cost vaccine clinics and grant-funded medical and surgical treatments as part of the pet retention programs to preserve the human-animal bond.

Donor support allows HRA to invest in up-to-date medical equipment including digital radiographs; IDEXX equipment for in-house CBC and chemistry panels; microscopes including one dual-head microscope; digital dental radiographs; ultrasound; anesthesia monitoring equipment including capnograph, EKG, pulse oximeter, doppler; and three surgical suites all for use in providing the best treatment to shelter and community animals.

HRA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Veterinarians receive a continuing education allowance of $1,500 and are eligible for a $5,000 annual student loan repayment stipend plus 160 hours of accrued PTO annually, medical and dental insurance, and matching 401k. HRA will pay for and help facilitate DC veterinary and controlled substance licenses, USDA accreditation, and AVMA PLIT. Working for a 501(c)3 organization may help you qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Help grow our medical team and be part of a mission-oriented organization committed to changing the landscape of animal welfare.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide medical care for shelter animals, community cats, and client-owned pets, including evaluation, case management, treatment decisions and direction of support staff.
• Perform up to 35 spay / neuter surgeries per day for shelter animals, community cats, and client-owned pets using high-quality, high-volume efficiency techniques.
• Complete other general practice-type surgeries such as mass removals and dental procedures.
• Mentor and work alongside shelter and surgical technicians to provide consistent and high quality medical and surgical care; direct technicians to follow established protocols.
• Communicate with other departments and pet owners regarding treatment recommendations.
• Maintain an understanding of the programs of HRA and work collaboratively with all departments across the organization to ensure the highest level of service and care are provided to animals and people.
• Participate in consultation and oversight of the medical care of individual animals in the care of HRA including regular rounds and inspections with shelter staff.
• Work with the Humane Law Enforcement team to properly assess, document and treat animals who are part of law enforcement cases.
• Provide vaccinations and basic wellness care on site and in the community at subsidized free or low-cost clinics.
• Assist in the development, implementation, and revision of goals, policies, and procedures for HRA.
• Coordinate and collaborate with local veterinarians and clinic / shelter professionals to promote positive and productive relationships; participate in arranging for care at private veterinary hospitals as needed.
• Perform euthanasia according to established protocols including decision making requirements.
• Maintain medical record and controlled substance logs to standards of veterinary and sheltering practices and organizational SOPs; ensure that records are in order and complete and maintained in organizational systems; provide information in a manner understandable by adopters.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of shelter animal health protocols, surgical procedures and companion animal health issues.
• Build effective relationships through positive interaction and communication with the community, volunteers and staff.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

HRA is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, citizenship status, or sexual orientation. Accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals requiring them.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Knowledge of and ability to provide general veterinary medicine and care.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn high-quality, high-volume spay / neuter (up to 35 spays / neuters per day).
• Knowledge of preventative medicine and population herd health.
• Knowledge of animal breeds, behavior, shelter operations, and infectious disease control.
• No sanctions with the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
• Passion for the HRA mission, and for caring for all animals regardless of age, breed, temperament or species.
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and in a team environment, in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures.
• Ability to be flexible, meticulous, and able to prioritize.
• Possess a collaborative approach to work, with an ability to bring out the best in peers.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficient at use of computer programs including Microsoft Office programs, email, Internet, and database management software to efficiently accomplish work.
• HRA requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption applies. New employees must submit proof of full vaccination, or request for medical or religious exemption, before their first day of work in HRA’s workplace. Employees receiving a medical or religious exemption will be required to submit a weekly, time-stamped, negative COVID test to HR.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

• Ability to work weekends, evenings, and rotating holiday on call shifts.
• Ability to be comfortable working with cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, fish and wildlife.
• Work is performed in a shelter medical center setting and outdoors.
• Due to nature of shelter work, may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile or irate persons; zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; and extreme temperatures.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted regularly, 50+ pounds assisted.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activity on a daily basis, including but not limited to: lifting and carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting and bending, walking and standing on feet.
• Exposure to disinfectant and bleach solutions when cleaning.

Education and Experience:

• Current valid license to practice veterinary medicine in the District of Columbia (or willingness to pursue a D.C. license).
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in shelter medicine, community medicine, and/or HQHVSN preferred but not required