Director Veterinary Services

Altasciences•Sacramento, CA

7d•$170,000 - $210,000

About The Position

This role has direct or delegated program authority and responsibility to ensure that adequate veterinary care and environmental enrichment including all aspects of animal welfare, in accordance with current regulatory and veterinary practices, is always provided. Adequate veterinary and environmental enrichment programs include daily animal care, disease prevention; health surveillance, examination, diagnoses, treatment, and control of diseases; providing appropriate anesthesia and analgesia, surgery, post-surgical care; assessment of animal well-being; humane euthanasia. Examines, diagnoses, and treats laboratory animals to ensure the health of animals used in scientific research and to comply with regulations governing their humane and ethical treatment by performing the following duties.

Requirements

DVM or equivalent
10+ years laboratory animal practice experience with increasing levels of responsibility
5+ years supervisory experience
Practicing veterinary license and eligible for licensure in Washington state required
Board Certification be the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine or equivalent required
Basic computer skills
Intermediate math skills as they apply to understanding budgets and financial plans
Able to build strong teams through coaching employees to foster open communication
Skilled at communicating with all levels of employees
Ability to manage change

Responsibilities

Oversee the provision of routine and/or specific veterinary medical support for all animal species
Oversee the provision of daily environmental enrichment program
Assign staff as appropriate to meet study objectives
Direct and approve departmental resources, personnel, fiscal assignments/budget proposals and allocations
Assure the personnel, resources, facilities, equipment, materials, and methodologies in their areas are available as scheduled
Assure the development, review, revision and implementation of SOPs, SSPs, policies, training manuals and/or checklists relating to animals, technical procedures, facility issues and data generation in their areas
Provide professional leadership in the care and resolution of complex medical cases and operational issues that arise within the animal facilities
Oversee and assist in the design and implementation of the animal welfare and preventive medicine program for all animal species, including sentinel programs
Oversee and provide training and supervision of staff regarding technical procedures and appropriate and humane use of animals in their programs
Provide specialized procedural consultations for clients, study directors and staff in program development related to animal use
Participate in the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC, including reviewing protocols, animal colony issues, management issues and consultations
Provide leadership as a recognized expert in animal regulatory law
Generate or direct the necessary reports for department and regulatory requirements
Oversee or order necessary supplies and equipment and equipment validation when required
Consult with clients and staff in the selection of animals for specific research based on knowledge of species and research principles and techniques
Communicate areas of accountability and performance expectations to staff
Establish standards of performance as a basis to review progress of staff
Manage the DEA Controlled Substances program including inventory requirements, regulations and appropriate training
Acts as primary liaison with USDA, AAALAC, and other regulatory agencies as needed
Act as attending veterinarian on an as needed basis
May be a voting member of the IACUC
Perform bi-annual SOP review, IACUC onsite semi-annual review and monthly environmental enrichment case exemption reviews
Act as after-hours emergency contact
Advise study directors on study design and implementation, protocol specifics concerning animal techniques and health issues
Aid in establishing, maintaining and developing the animal records systems and reviews records as needed
Provide expertise and assistance with training sessions involving husbandry, veterinary care, and utilization of animal models
Provide expertise for the development of health and safety, emergency response and occupational health programs
Supervisory responsibilities including interviewing hiring, mentoring and coaching employees, addressing complaints, and conflict resolution