Please note that ACCT Philly is also hiring for a staff veterinarian, the description for which can be viewed here.
The Medical Director functions as lead veterinarian, providing and overseeing the veterinary services provided to the animals in our care, as well as serves on the senior leadership team responsible for establishing and driving the strategic development of the organization. As the leader of the department, the Medical Director will work closely with the Executive Director to define the needs, develop and implement a strategy to meet them. Currently, the medical department is comprised of the director, a staff veterinarian, a medical manager, and a cohort of support staff, with an intent to secure funding and develop the team further to better meet the needs of the animals in our care. Additional support is provided by contract veterinarians. In the last five years, intake at ACCT Philly has decreased by 51 percent and its live release rate has increased by 20 percent. The newly formed Philadelphia No-Kill Coalition, consisting of 23 member rescues, shelters, and service providers was co-founded by ACCT Philly, works daily to continue amassing the resources and programs needed to save and serve the animals still being lost to treatable or preventable conditions. While in recent years the shelter has faced challenges due to the lack of space within its facility, considerable improvements have been secured such as:
- 9,000 square feet of additional space in the current facility to be available by March 2020.
- A new and expanded welcome center that will enable animal intake to be separated from adoption, reducing the spread of disease as a result. Construction began in September of 2019.
- $250,000 worth of new canine kennels that allow for easier sanitation and more visually appealing housing, to be installed early 2020.
- $750,000 for a new roof for the facility.
- An X-Ray machine for the facility.
- Consulting and training by national shelter medicine experts.
FINANCIAL: Since 2012, the organization has held a contract with the City of Philadelphia for the majority of its operating funds. In fiscal year 2019, its revenue from the city will be approximately $4.3 million, and its total budget, including donations and grants, will be approximately $5.2 million. The city also provides significant in-kind support through maintenance of and improvements to the building. During the last several years financial support for the organization has steadily increased, and donations increased by more than 100 percent in the first eight months of 2019. THE POSITION:
As lead veterinarian, the Medical Director coordinates with the medical team to ensure that ACCT’s animals are provided all aspects of veterinary care including physical exams, diagnostic tests, surgical procedures as well as maintaining proper record keeping for sheltered animals. The medical team performs daily rounds, initiates and provides follow up on treatment plans, and assists in ensuring timely and humane movement of animals through the shelter. The Medical Director ensures that all of this happens within a strong disease prevention and management framework.
Additional responsibilities include: Leadership - Create and implement new medical protocols and regularly updating existing protocols.
- Serve as the medical point of contact for relevant consultants and oversee implementation of their recommendations pertaining to the shelter’s medical program
- In concert with the Executive Director, develop partnerships with external stakeholders to expand the capacity of ACCT’s medical department
- Ensure that ACCT’s Medical Department is in full compliance with all state and federal laws regarding the practice of veterinary medicine, use of controlled substances, and animal welfare
- Collaborates on and directs the formulation of shelter medical objectives, practices, plans and decisions that influence operations to ensure optimal health of sheltered animals
- Actively participates as a member of the senior leadership team including strategic planning and development, general staff oversight and coordinated expectations and accountability
- Develop realistic and stretch goal departmental development plans including position and program development, as well as funding goals
- Actively cultivate relationships and coordinate with HR to recruit candidates for any departmental vacancies • Embody the ACCT Philly core values of Transparency, Respect, Innovation, Commitment, Empathy and Professionalism at all times, with all stakeholders Staff Management
- Oversee the onboarding, training and continuing education of staff and contract veterinarians
- In concert with the medical manager, oversee the onboarding, training, and continuing education of the nursing staff Direct Care
- Acts as lead veterinarian, providing direct care to animals in ACCT’s care in whatever capacity required including medical rounds, creation of treatment plans, participation in pathway planning, surgery, exams, euthanasia, and more
- Oversees the maintenance of shelter drug and supply inventory while meeting and maintaining DEA requirements
- Provide for thorough and compassionate euthanasia training for any relevant ACCT staff
- Obtain and manage ACCT’s DEA Diversion Control Division license for controlled substance prescriptions
Staff Management • Oversee the onboarding, training and continuing education of staff and contract veterinarians
• In concert with the medical manager, oversee the onboarding, training, and continuing education of the nursing staff
Direct Care • Acts as lead veterinarian, providing direct care to animals in ACCT’s care in whatever capacity required including medical rounds, creation of treatment plans, participation in pathway planning, surgery, exams, euthanasia, and more
• Oversees the maintenance of shelter drug and supply inventory while meeting and maintaining DEA requirements
• Provide for thorough and compassionate euthanasia training for any relevant ACCT staff
• Obtain and manage ACCT’s DEA Diversion Control Division license for controlled substance prescriptions RESOURCES AVAILABLE: - ACCT Philly veterinary nursing staff, including a team manager, with varied background in animal welfare and veterinary medicine
- 2-3 surgical nurses always present when surgery is ongoing, most days with additional volunteer support.
- In house diagnostic abilities include: Idexx Countertop ProCyte Dx Hematology Analyzer and two Catalyst One Chemistry Analyzer units, 9 Snap Pro test readers to use with FeLV/FIV and 4DX Snap ® patient side tests, microscope, diff quick stain and fecals via zinc flotation.
- Radiographs can be performed through partners; ACCT is in the process of fitting out an X-ray room.
- Partnership with University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine includes no cost consults with teaching staff when on shelter campus for rotations and frequent communication with the U Penn Vet Shelter Medicine Program.
THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA:
The sixth largest city in the United States, Philadelphia is considered to be the economic and cultural anchor of the Delaware Valley. With a population of 1.5 million, it is rated one of the best walking cities in the country and is quickly becoming one of the most bike friendly, with more than 1300 bikes that can be rented throughout the city and more than 440 miles of dedicated bike lanes. Built on a grid, it’s easy for newcomers to navigate around the city whether by foot, bike or car, and there is ample public transportation available including buses, subways, trolleys and regional rail lines.
Home to the Declaration of Independence and the Liberty Bell, the city is also a nationally recognized center for the fine and performing arts. Philadelphia is home to many prominent museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, the Rodin Museum, the Franklin Institute and others. It is also home to the internally recognized Philadelphia Orchestra.
Families enjoy the various child friendly museums and activities, and three suburban school districts are among the top 25 in the country as rated by Niche.com.
For those more interested in the social scene, Spruce Harbor Park and Race Street Pier are among the popular Delaware River waterfront places to be, and the city hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year. |