Veterinary Ophthalmologist

Veterinary Ophthalmologist Opportunity at Minnesota's Largest Locally Owned Specialty Hospital

About Us

As Minnesota's largest locally owned emergency and specialty hospital, Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota has been caring for pets-and the people who love them-since 1980. We're proud of our roots in this community and remain dedicated to providing trusted, long-term care for years to come.

We're owned by veterinarians - both in the community and on our staff. And we're managed by the same people who work in the hospital every day-leaders who know the job, the patients, and the pressure-because they've lived it too.

AERC offers true multispecialty collaboration-with boarded specialists in emergency and critical care, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, internal medicine, radiology, surgery, oncology, neurology, and exotics-all under one roof in our state-of-the-art, newly constructed, 47,000 sq. ft. facility spanning three floors. AERC's stable and supportive environment is reflected in the tenure of our specialists-many of whom have been with us for more than a decade as they've built and expanded their departments.

We offer what no other hospital in Minnesota can: the advanced medicine and collaboration of a large multispecialty hospital, and the heart, stability, and support of a locally-owned practice that's been here for over four decades.

Location: Oakdale, MN

Compensation: Competitive Salary Commission Incentives

Benefits include:

• Shareholder/ownership opportunities for long-term career growth and an investment in your future
• Medical & dental insurance provided with generous employer contribution
• Hospital-sponsored short- & long-term disability, life insurance, telemedicine, and EAP
• Time off for continuing education is available by request and encouraged as part of professional development.
• Uniform, continuing education, and dues stipend, plus more

Qualifications:

• Board certified or residency-trained in veterinary ophthalmology
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• A desire to contribute to a culture of kindness, curiosity, and mutual respect
• A passion for delivering high-quality veterinary care

If you're looking for a fulfilling position with a variety in casework and a supportive team, we want to hear from you!

Why Minnesota?

From bustling city vibes to serene lakeside escapes, Minnesota offers the best of both worlds. Explore world-renowned healthcare institutions like the Mayo Clinic, enjoy the Mall of America's endless entertainment, or unwind in "Cabin Country" for weekend fishing, hiking, and peace. With major league sports, award-winning dining, and a strong culture of work-life balance, Minnesota is an adventure waiting to happen.

Veterinary Ophthalmology Equipment & Capabilities

We are fully equipped to support board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists with the following state-of-the-art tools for diagnostics and surgery:

Surgical Suite

• Zeiss Operating Microscope with Teaching Head
• Bausch & Lomb Phacoemulsification Unit
• Cryosurgical Unit
• Stryker Surgical Lights
• Hug-U-Vac Surgical Positioning System
• Canon Rebel T6 Camera with Macro Lens & Flash

Ophthalmic Diagnostics

• Slit Lamps in Each Exam Room
• TonoVet Plus Tonometer
• RETevet ERG (Electroretinography)
• OPI Diagnostic Ultrasound

Advanced Imaging Access

• GE 16-Slice CT Scanner
• Siemens 1.5T MRI

Anesthesia & Nerve Block Support

• Ultrasound-Guided Regional Nerve Blocking
• Peripheral Nerve Stimulator Monitoring

How to Apply:

We'd love to learn more about your goals and how we can support your success - reach out to our Chief Medical Officer, Steven R. Shadwick, DVM, DACVIM, SRShadwick@aercmn.com, or our Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Jurikson, VMD, MBA, at MJJurikson@aercmn.com, today!

The primary function of the AERC Veterinary Specialist is too provide and recommend the highest standards of care to both existing patients of AERC and future referrals to AERC. A Specialist is defined as a Board Certified Diplomat of an AVMA-recognized organization. All Board Certified Specialists or Certification Eligible Veterinarians report to the Specialist Team Lead.

Education

• DVM degree from an AVMA recognized school of Veterinary Medicine Board Certification in AVMA recognized
• Specialty College preferred
• Completed residency and eligible for board certification as determined case by case

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift a minimum of 40 pounds from floor to table height
• Excessive walking and standing; frequent squatting
• Be able to work at or travel to all clinic locations Incur risk of injury from animals
• Ability to work well under pressure and high levels of stress
• Exposure to controlled, chemo-therapeutic, teratogenic, and mutagenic drugs

Medicine

• Able to perform current standard of care procedure applicable to specialty
• Able to perform all general skills of a veterinarian including physical exams, documentation, basic surgeries, diagnostics and interpretations, etc.
• High level of knowledge regarding current uses for pharmacology treatments
• Extremely high level of bedside manner and interpersonal communication
• Some degree of after-hours availability to perform emergency procedures specific to specialty. Varies with department.
• Work collaboratively with other departments on multi-disciplinary cases
• Refer appropriately to other specialties within AERC whenever possible

Human Resources

• Willingness to participate in recruitment of department team members
• Willingness to participate in interviews and other meetings for incoming veterinarians
• Able to demonstrate professional decorum with all AERC team members at all times
• Strict adherence and promotion of the AERC Core Values at all times

Communication

• Frequent phone communication with referring veterinarians
• Able to take after-hours calls for case consult from AERC veterinarians
• Referring veterinarian clinic visits as outlined in contract
• Conduct continuing education events as outline in contract

Other Expectations

• Maintain compliance with AERC team meetings and exercises as they arise
• Mentor Veterinary Technicians seeking Technician Certification in a specialty
• Consult with Leadership and Board of Directors on expansion of services, therapeutics, and diagnostics
• Come to Board meetings as requested
• Abide by all other aspects of contract as outlined

This job description is a living document and may be altered by the Leadership team at any time. In addition to the above duties, the Veterinary Specialist will perform any other duties that clean, maintain and improve the hospitals and company.