Locum Veterinarian

VCA Animal Hospitals•Kingwood, TX

9d•Onsite

About The Position

At VCA, we value our Associates and are committed to providing opportunities for career growth and professional development. This role involves providing professional medical, nutritional, dental, and surgical diagnostics and treatment for companion animals under the direction of the Medical Director and with support from the Regional Medical Director. The Veterinarian will direct and guide veterinary technicians, assistants, and other pet care staff, upholding the highest standards of medicine and the veterinary code of ethics.

Requirements

A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, or equivalent, from an accredited university.
A license to practice in the state in which he/she is employed.
Professional mannerism and appearance.
Good interpersonal skills.
Positive and friendly attitude.
Ability to communicate directions and instructions clearly and effectively.
Ability to earn respect from coworkers.
Ability to make decisions.
Respect for clients and their pets.
Willingness to work with clients and their pets.
Willingness to learn and use computers.
Ability to work under stress.
Practices the highest standard of medicine.
Uphold the veterinary code of ethics.
Dependable attendance is required.
Any allergies to animals must be controllable through medication.
Must be able to lift 40 pounds.
Must be willing to work long or irregular hours under pressure conditions.
This position requires the ability to walk, bend, stand and reach constantly during a minimum 8-hour day.
Visual acuity sufficient to maintain accurate records, recognize people and understand written directions.
Ability to speak and hear sufficiently to understand, give information in person and over the telephone.
Fine motor skills adequate for utilizing hospital equipment such as electric clippers, scalpels, syringes, radiology equipment, laboratory equipment, computers, etc.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of computer systems for record keeping and diagnostics.

Responsibilities

Provide professional medical, nutritional, dental, and surgical diagnostics and treatment of companion animals.
Direct and guide Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, and any other employee interacting with pet care.
Cares for patients, remembering that the patient’s well-being is the first priority.
Continually improve the quality of patient care through studying veterinary journals and texts and by attending seminars (minimum 30-hour per year requirement for continuing education).
Perform examinations, diagnostic, medical, surgical, and dental procedures in a way that will deliver the highest quality care while minimizing patient stress and discomfort.
Recommend referral to one of the other VCA doctors or a specialist when this is likely to significantly improve the prognosis.
Promote and participate in the principles of the VCA Mission Statement, Three Steps of Service and VCA Standards of Client Service.
Develop rapport with clients, determine their needs and wishes, and ascertain the patient’s past medical and surgical history.
Explain physical examination findings, recommend appropriate preventive health care (including vaccines and nutritional products/protocols), and explain plans for diagnostic procedures and therapies.
Provide clients with a prognosis of the pet’s problems and generate fee estimates for recommended procedures.
Keep clients informed regarding the status of their pet and results of diagnostic tests.
Provide telephone consultation, including follow-up calls for progress reports.
Demonstrate honesty in dealing with clients and colleagues.
Maintain an attitude and appearance that reflect favorably on the profession.
Show empathy for colleagues when questions of clinical judgment arise.
Share information and concerns with other members of the profession by attending veterinary meetings regularly.
Provide advice and encouragement to potential newcomers to the profession.
Represent the hospital to the professional community and the general public as requested.
Model an “owner” mentality in the hospital by demonstrating willingness to assist all employees for the success of the hospital.