Contract or Relief Veterinarian

Helping Hands Humane Society

Job Description

Helping Hands Humane Society (HHHS) is looking for a Contract or Relief Shelter Veterinarian to join our medical team in providing care for dogs, cats, and small mammals at the shelter. HHHS is located in the capitol of Kansas, Topeka, and serves the residents of Shawnee County. The shelter is 30 minutes from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, one hour from Kansas State University in Manhattan and one hour from Kansas City.

Work Schedule: negotiated to accommodate the availability of the Veterinarian and the needs of the shelter

Compensation: hourly compensation to be agreed upon between Veterinarian and shelter

Primary Accountability:
The Veterinarian is responsible for all medical decisions for animals in the shelter; to include, but not limited to, performing surgeries, veterinary health checks, health certificates, euthanasia and comprehensive health care for all the animals that are under the care of or are property of Helping Hands Humane Society (HHHS).

Major Duties:
• Provides and oversees medical care for all animals under the care of HHHS; performs spay/neuters and other surgeries and dentals; supervises the preparation of animals for surgical procedures and treatments; conducts general health evaluations; evaluates and manages all emergency medical cases; prescribes and administers medications.
• Collects body tissue, feces, blood, urine or other body fluids for examination and analysis.
• Determines animal’s medical status regarding euthanasia; performs euthanasia as deemed appropriate; assists with euthanasia training and certification.
• Operates diagnostic equipment such as CBC, chemistry, radiographic equipment; interprets all chemical and imaging results.
• Follows quarantine and testing procedures to prevent the spread of diseases to other animals or to humans, and to maintain compliance with applicable government regulations.
• Conducts postmortem studies and analyses to determine the causes of animal deaths.
• Maintains accurate records regarding treatments, surgical procedures and medications; records all medical procedures completed and medications given in animals’ records in shelter database; maintains accurate control drug log books.
• Maintains a humane and caring attitude at all times towards animals in-care of HHHS.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Currently licensed in state of Kansas to practice veterinary medicine. A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree from an accredited college of veterinary medicine. Experience in shelter medicine preferred. Must possess a valid Driver’s License.

Skills and Abilities:
• Ability to work individually and in a team environment.
• Ability to safely handle animals declared vicious, on bite quarantines or stray.
• Ability to handle and deal with animals that have been abused, neglected or treated cruelly.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work efficiently with attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, set priorities and organize work load.
• Willingness to lead and offer direction.

Physical Demands:
• Ability to frequently stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, stoop, bend, squat or kneel.
• Ability to safely push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to physically handle and restrain domestic animals.
• Ability to read computer screens, mail, and talk on phone.

Work Environment:
• Interaction with staff and customers.
• Potential exposure to parasites and infectious diseases that may be carried and transmitted by animals.

Additional Duties:
Additional duties and responsibilities may be added to this job description at any time.
The job description does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee(s) holding this position. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related responsibilities as requested by their supervisor.

Helping Hands Humane Society Mission
As advocates for animal welfare, Helping Hands Humane Society, Inc. provides sanctuary for animals in need of compassionate care and protection. We accept responsibility for:
Fostering the adoption of healthy animals into responsible homes and reuniting lost animals with their owners
Reducing overpopulation by promoting sterilization of animals
Providing an accessible facility with effective leadership and well-trained staff
Serving the community through education and addressing animal welfare issues
Maintaining a fiscally responsible organization by adhering to the highest standards of integrity

This is a part time job