Listing Summary

DESCRIPTION

Provides diagnostic and medical treatment for impounded, quarantined, sick or injured animals and performs spay/neuters for adoptable animals at the Augusta Animal Services shelter, within the guidelines of city and department policies and procedures, local ordinances and state laws.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Spay and neuter animals:  Performs necessary surgical alterations and procedures as needed.  Oversees pre- and post-operative care of animals undergoing spay/neuter procedures.
• Provides diagnostic and medical treatment for animals:  Performs basic examinations, diagnoses, specific animal treatment regimens, and monitoring of treatments as needed along with emergency triage and stabilization from sick/injured animals.  Administers rabies vaccinations of adoptable animals and animals returned to owner following impound.  Maintains accurate and thorough record keeping of medications and treatments for each individual animal.
• Ensures medical supplies are adequate:  Inventories and orders drugs, medical supplies, and equipment.  Oversees the maintenance of surgical equipment and of health care clinic.
• Advises Director on shelter issues relating to animals: Assists with the development of policies, procedures, and protocols, which relate to the veterinary needs of animals in care, to include disease prevention.  Makes recommendations on shelter disease management protocols, sanitation, and procedures.
• Ensures staff is trained appropriately on various aspects of kennel procedures:  Provides training to Animal Services personnel in first aid, disease recognition, and prevention.  Annually certifies staff to euthanize animals according to Department of Agriculture requirements.
• Assists Animal Control Officers:  Identifies animal cruelty, consults during cruelty investigations, and provides expert witness testimony.  Supplies a high level of medical care to neglected/abused animals and ensures thorough documentation of medical finding for criminal prosecution of perpetrators.  Conducts observations of animals involved in bite cases while undergoing quarantine to ensure compliance with state Rabies regulations

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:    Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine

Experience:  One (1) or more years of experience in canine and feline medicine and spay/neuter surgeries

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of health federal and state laws and regulations relative to veterinarian science services.
• Knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of a variety of animal diseases and injuries.
• Knowledge of veterinary clinical and laboratory procedures.
• Knowledge of proper care and handling of animals under stressful situations.
• Knowledge of veterinarian medical terms and medications.
• Knowledge of animal types, species, and breed identification.
• Excellent interpersonal skills

Certification/Licensing:  

• Possess and maintain a Georgia Veterinary Medicine License in good standing for the duration of employment.
• Possess and maintain a Department of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license for the duration of employment.