Description

The Chimpanzee Veterinarian is primarily responsible for overseeing the effective functioning of the veterinary program, ensuring that the medical and dietary needs for the resident chimpanzees are adequately met. This position reports to the Executive Director and is the essential member of the chimpanzee care team, supervising the Vet Assistant and medical volunteers. Duties include daily rounds of resident chimpanzees, reading diagnostics, prescribing treatments, ensuring that the care staff have the necessary knowledge to perform routine medical treatments, overseeing the medication/drug inventory; responsible for ensuring administrative functions such as medical records and drug logs are accurate and completed in a timely manner. Orders, receives, and distributes materials, supplies and medications; and facilitates medical care operations; reviews, develops and/or revises standard operating procedures or other reports; conducts or coordinates operational training. Coordinates medically qualified volunteers, consultants, and contractors to assist in specialty procedures as needed.

Requirements

Med Center/Office

1. 1. Supervise use and care of medical equipment including microscopes, centrifuge, x-ray, anesthesia, and other veterinary tools.
   2. Perform and interpret all diagnostics procedures; review results and outcomes to Care staff.
   3. Ensure medical standards are met
   4. Perform surgeries as needed.
   5. Coordinate necropsies and cremations as needed.

Animal Care

1. 1. Ensures that veterinary care standards are maintained at or above those set by USDA, DNR, and GFAS.
   2. Oversee the implementation of routine medical procedures; establish SOPs.
   3. Update, approve, and implement protocol modifications for veterinary care, triage, rehabilitation viability, and euthanasia protocols.
   4. Design and implement wellness plans for all chimpanzees collaboratively with Chimpanzee Care Supervisors and Behavior Coordinator.
   5. Ensure daily rounds are completed and schedule exams or diagnostics as needed.
   6. Consult with Care staff on medical concerns and routine wellness exams; additionally work with behavior committee on operant conditioning for routine exam procedures.

Volunteer & Interns

1. 1. Work with volunteers and interns on a daily basis in a professional and courteous manner.
   2. Mentor interns on individual projects as assigned.
   3. Work within a team to evaluate and promote/demote volunteers.
   4. Update volunteers and intern training protocols as needed.

Supply Inventory

1. 1. Monitors inventory levels of veterinary supplies and medications.
   2. Works with vendors to ensure quality and prices meet standards provided by management.
   3. Identifies and suggests new products, vendors, resources, or inventory routines as needed to continually improve quality and meet budget.

Admin

1. 1. Maintains or reviews necessary records of logs relating to medical care in both handwritten medical files as well as the online database.
   2. Prepares and has responsibility for the annual budget for medical supplies
   3. Train team members in the use of diagnostic, surgical and radiographic equipment.

Disaster Response

1. 1. Maintain darting equipment, drugs, and oversee training and drills for use of such.
   2. Test, repair, or replace all medical equipment and supplies as part of the disaster response program on a routine schedule.
   3. In the event of a major disaster, respond to the situation as outlined in the current Emergency Preparedness Protocol.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES are derived from SECTION C, Performance Standards.

1. May develop, conduct or supervise advancements in veterinary treatments or procedures.
2. Actively participating in problem-solving and decision making processes.
3. Is prepared to travel for meetings and continuing education.
4. Other duties as assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. A Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine is required; must be able to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Georgia.
2. Essential professional and personal characteristics include demonstrated leadership skills, a collaborative approach to problem-solving, flexibility and compassion. Must be 18 years of age per state and federal requirements.
3. Three years of zoo/exotic medicine required; five years preferred; great ape medicine preferred.
4. Must have a solid working knowledge of chimpanzee health and husbandry procedures.
5. The incumbent must acquire a working knowledge of all federal, state and local laws and regulations associated with the operation, licensing and permitting of a chimpanzee sanctuary and the maintenance of laboratory, diagnostic and pharmacy administration functions.
6. Must remain current in CPR and first-aid certification.
7. Must have a valid driver’s license with 3 years clean driving record.
8. Maintain Euthanasia certification.
9. Maintain Controlled Substances licensing.
10. Must complete continuing education credit as required by the State of Georgia Veterinary Practice Act.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Must have advanced knowledge of animal husbandry and rehabilitation.
2. Must know basic principles of operant conditioning in relation wellness exams and medication receipt.
3. Must be able to move/lift 50 pounds.
4. Good communication skills.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills.
6. Must have or obtain and maintain up-to-date vaccines as required for this position.
7. Must be able to use a computer and word/excel programs.
8. Excellent organizational and time planning skills.
9. Demonstrated critical thinking and ability to handle complex situations with sound judgment and problem solving skills.
10. Demonstrated to be proactive and self-motivated.
11. Must be able to endure occasional long workdays (up to 12 hours) and maintain focus, accuracy and physical activities required by job.
12. Work requires continual attention to detail. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Supervise Vet Assistant.

Supervise volunteers and interns assigned to the medical department in routine duties.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands 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.

 Must have good physical agility, strength, vision & hearing, and the ability to perform strenuous physical work in extremes of weather and challenging physical environments, (e.g. outdoor animal enclosures). Specifically, this means the ability to lift 50 pounds, walk, stand, see animals & exhibits for observation and safety as well as hear animal's sounds, radio communication and emergency situations.

 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit and talk. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  Must be able to hear and see near and far.  Must be able to bend, kneel, crawl, run, and climb stairs and ladders frequently. 

 Employee must also be able to operate vehicles and heavy machinery.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Flexible scheduling; will be expected to be maintain routine on-site schedule and to be on-call to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Will coordinate with relief vet to cover planned absences from on-call availability.

 Will work outdoors in a variety of adverse weather conditions including: temperatures as low as 15 degrees, temperatures as high as 110 degrees, wind storms, rain, hail, and intense sunlight. May be required to work outside in the evenings and middle of the night using safety lights.

 Will be working around dangerous animals. 

 Natural odors from these species and their fecal waste will be high.

 The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

 This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.