Veterinarian

Best Friends•Houston, TX

1d•$130,000 - $155,000•Onsite

About The Position

Best Friends staff veterinarians provide high quality veterinary care for Best Friends Animal Society program animals and partner shelters, ensuring adherence to best practices in shelter medicine. This role involves performing examinations, diagnostics, and treatments, including high-volume spay/neuter procedures, while maintaining a safe and effective clinic environment.

Requirements

Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM, VMD), work experience preferred but new graduates considered.
Active Texas veterinary license (or ability to obtain).
DEA controlled substance license (or ability to obtain).
USDA Accreditation and ability to sign health certificates (or ability to obtain).
Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process.
Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn.
Must be able to: Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.
Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
Exposure to dogs, cats and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
Valid driver’s license, meeting Best Friends Animal Society’s driver qualification standards; ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.
Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.

Nice To Haves

Veterinarians not yet certified but seeking certification via the ABVP practitioner route in Shelter Medicine Practice are particularly suited for this position. Additional support for this process is available, should the candidate desire to seek certification.
Bilingual or multi-lingual skills preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of program animals; uphold medical standards of care; perform a variety of procedures as needed including high-volume spay and neuter; maintain knowledge of shelter medicine including common infectious diseases and conditions and their treatment; conduct diagnostic procedures.
Ensure a safe and effective clinic environment, educate, mentor, and coach veterinary students, technicians, assistants, and volunteers; communicate with shelters, outside veterinarians, and clinics regarding cases including referrals or post-adoption support.
Promote continuing development of medical care through continued education; keep abreast of veterinary concerns and trends in animal welfare; and uphold the highest standards of professionalism.
Lead by example in delivering superior customer service in our operations, where we relate to all visitors, adopters, fosters, and others in a friendly, informational, and professional manner.
Work collaboratively with and assist Best Friends’ team members in all areas of operations to develop, evolve, and implement efficient processes to achieve lifesaving goals; follow policies, procedures, and task lists, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
Maintain a safe workplace, value, and model safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and addressing or communicating to leadership about unsafe practices and conditions.