Veterinarian (Zoo)

The Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium invites applicants to join our team as the Veterinarian. The Veterinarian provides comprehensive medical care to the animal collection of over 200 species. This medical care includes but is not limited to maintaining a preventive medical program, providing acute care for sick or injured animals, providing convalescent care for animals recovering from illness or injury, performing post-mortem examinations, and operating a full-service clinic and laboratory.

Essential Functions

Clinical Duties

• Provide comprehensive medical care to the animal collection. This includes being familiar with the biology, husbandry, and medical requirements for species in the animal collection. Applying appropriate diagnostic testing/techniques to allow for the timely identification of disease processes. Provide medical treatment for all health abnormalities. Treatment may encompass, but is not limited to, the generation and analysis of health history, physical and/or chemical restraint, physical examination, surgery, laboratory testing of appropriate biological samples, radiography, and radiographic interpretation, as well as prescribing and delivering medications.
• Develop and maintain a preventive medicine program which includes but is not limited to class and/or order-specific protocols for quarantined animals; develop and maintain a parasite monitoring and control program; update, modify, and implement vaccination protocols; disease and diagnostic testing; and periodic reviews of diets and nutrition. The program must meet AZA, AAZV, AVMA, and USDA standards.
• Perform and supervise clinical, diagnostic, and laboratory procedures skillfully; analyze and interpret findings.
• Clinical pathology: interpret results of testing in the following areas: hematology, clinical chemistry, parasitology, microbiology, cytology, urinalysis, and serology. Ensure serum is banked on SFZA collection animals for prospective and retrospective diagnostic studies. Evaluates new procedures and techniques for incorporation into clinical pathology routine.
• Pathology: ensures all SFZA animals receive a complete post-mortem examination to include a complete necropsy and histopathology examination where appropriate. Ensures all approved samples for research and/or education are distributed appropriately. Ensures accurate necropsy records are maintained.
• Train on and be familiar with all chemical immobilization equipment in the SFZA hospital.
• Participate in training of other SFZA staff in emergency chemical immobilization procedures.
• Champion animal wellness and serves on the animal well-being committee.

Administrative Duties

• Coordinate services of consulting and back-up veterinarians.
• Participate in the training/on-the-job education of technician(s), interns, volunteers, students, and other staff members assigned tasks related to animal health care including but not limited to, the animal hospital, medications, treatments, animal handling and restraint, anesthesia, zoonotic diseases, husbandry and emergency preparedness.
• Effectively communicate with staff of other institutions and related regulatory agencies.
• Act as liaison to the USDA, DEA, SD Animal Industry board and other appropriate state and federal agencies.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations as related to the animal collection and veterinary practices.
• Ensure medical records are up-to-date and maintained up to AZA, AAZV and USDA standards.
• Participate in implementing changes in animal care as related to animal health maintenance of collection animals.
• Provide guidance and instruction to SFZA animal care staff on safe handling of animals, hazardous materials, drugs, etc.
• Consistently strive to further the mission of the organization and avidly support SFZA.
• Budget management for veterinary department supplies (equipment, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, etc.)

Competency

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Must have the ability to easily interact and communicate veterinary needs to a diversified staff.
• Ability to take control and think clearly in unforeseen and emergency situations.
• Able to initiate clinical research appropriate to the needs of the SFZA’a collection and conservation plans.
• Must be able to function in a team environment as well as perform tasks with minimal supervision.
• Must be proficient in the use of computers including MS Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint).

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises the hospital registrar and veterinary technician, as well as interns/students.
• Is on-call on weekends for veterinary issues.
• Conducts performance evaluations that are fair, accurate, timely, and constructive for direct reports.

Required Education and Experience

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), or equivalent degree from an AVMA accredited college of veterinary medicine or equivalent.
• Possess a license to practice veterinary medicine in the United States.
• Possess (or obtain) a State of South Dakota Veterinary license.
• Possess (or obtain) a Federal DEA license and the controlled substances registration needed in South Dakota.
• Possess (or obtain) a certificate of Veterinary Accreditation by the USDA to write health certificates and perform cervid TB Testing.
• Minimum of one – two years of clinical experience, preferably with exotics and/or zoo and aquarium animals.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Eligibility to become board certified in zoo animal medicine.
• Knowledge of all aspects of animal health care of exotic and zoo and aquarium animals.
• Working knowledge of all applicable wildlife regulations and laws.
• Familiarity of MedARKs, ZIMS with medical and/or other medical record keeping systems.
• Understanding of applicable AZA, AAZV, AVMA, and USDA guidelines and regulations.
• Awareness of regulatory and licensing agencies that affect the operation of the SFZA and SFZA hospital.
• Management experience would be a plus.

Additional Qualifications

• Maintain a current tetanus immunizations vaccination (5 years) and be willing to be TB tested annually.
• Must receive rabies immunizations and titers.
• Must be certified or able to become certified in CPR/AED within 1 year of employment.
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays and evenings as required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to pass a pre-employment background check