Associate Veterinarian

Position Title:        Associate Veterinarian

Department:          Animal Health - 3260

Classification:        Exempt/Full-Time

Employee Type:     TSE – Exe Team Specialist

Direct Report:        Director Animal Health and Nutrition

Position Summary:

The Associate Veterinarian (AV) assists in overseeing the development, implementation, and daily operation of the Animal Health Department through clinical animal care, husbandry, and research for a wide variety of taxa. This individual works interdependently with other animal health staff, zoological operations staff, facilities operations and veterinarians and staff from the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine (UGA- CVM) to ultimately yield the highest standard of aquatic animal veterinary care. This individual works directly with collection animals performing diagnostic procedures and administering treatments in addition to assisting with the management of clinical records, case rounds and a program of preventative medicine. The Associate Veterinarian serves as the primary clinical veterinarian in the absence of the Sr. Associate Vet, the Senior Vet or the Director of Animal Health (DAH).

Responsibilities:

1. Provides an exceptional level of daily primary clinical care of all animals maintained by GAI.  Is on-call (available) for emergency duty 24 hrs./day, 7 days/week once every 3 weeks or as cases necessitate.
2. Works seamlessly with all GAI staff and volunteers and is a consistently positive role model helping to maintain a cohesive, harmonious working environment.
3. Works effectively with zoological operations managers to review voluntary medical behaviors, animal transactions, welfare assessments, quarantine plans, and preventive medicine protocols. Provides timely communications and reports reflecting the health status of collection animals to zoological operations staff and other appropriate staff.
4. Works effectively with the commissary operations and nutrition team to review animal diets and implement recommended adjustments.
5. In partnership with the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Aquatic Animal Pathology, contributes to post-mortem examinations and assessments to identify areas for improvement of animal care.
6. Maintains GAI veterinary medical records at the highest standards and always within the laws and/or requirements of the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine using record keeping software.
7. Attends daily morning rounds and helps organize clinical rounds, journal reviews as well as grand/specialty rounds as needed; gives progress reports routinely.
8. Assists the DAH in ensuring federal, state, and local regulatory compliance in all aspects of the department’s operation.
9. Works within GAI’s Hospital and Diagnostic Laboratory participating enthusiastically in a program of Quality Control for all in-house veterinary diagnostic and medical/surgical equipment and applicable instrumentation and supplies.
10. Assists the DAH and department veterinary technicians in maintaining the GAI veterinary pharmacy, ensuring compliance with controlled substances regulations and removal and replacement of expired medications via maintenance of adequate and up-to-date inventories.
11. Assists with on-going research projects and/or develops prospective research projects approved by the Georgia Aquarium Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to further the field of aquatic animal medicine. Presents research results at professional meetings and publishes findings in peer reviewed journals.
12. Helps to develop and then strengthen ties with supporting institutions (e.g., the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, other public aquariums, etc.) to provide the best consultation support for GAI's clinical caseload.
13. When appropriate assists DAH in implementing training, development, and review processes for staff development and enrichment.
14. Serving as a strong leader in the department, assists with the organization and direction of veterinary student preceptors that participate in and support daily clinical activities. Also provides guidance and mentorship to veterinary residents and interns.
15. As needed, interacts on behalf of the Georgia Aquarium with guests, media, general public, etc.
16. Performs other duties as workload necessitates.   

Qualifications:

1. Holds a DVM or VMD degree from an accredited college or school of veterinary medicine with a Georgia veterinary license or the ability to obtain one within three months. USDA/APHIS accreditation type II required. Ability to obtain appropriate licensing for prescribing controlled substances as warranted. 
2. Minimum of three years of experience in zoo/aquatic animal medicine and/or board certification from the American College of Zoological Medicine with a specialization in aquatic animal medicine.
3. Minimum of three years of work experience in an AZA accredited institution working with zoo/aquatic animals and associated husbandry, clinical care, and regulatory issues.
4. Above average leadership skills as well as the ability to organize, manage time and set priorities while meeting deadlines.
5. Effective problem analysis and resolution skills and the ability to be flexible and shift priorities to meet departmental requirements and program needs.
6. Superior verbal and written communication skills as well as superior presentation skills and a willingness to work with internal/external media when necessary.
7. Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality and to be able to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.
8. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products and standard PC operating systems and the ability to research and analyze various types of data information.
9. Valid passport or the ability to obtain one.   
10. SCUBA certification or the ability to become certified is ideal.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Commitment:

I commit to Georgia Aquarium, Inc. to be a part of the following:

Mission: Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and Aquatic animals worldwide.

Vision:  To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.

Values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, Leadership, Excellence, Appreciation & Inclusion