Staff Veterinarian in Muskegon, Michigan at Northern Biomedical Research Inc

Role Summary

The Staff Veterinarian (SV) will promote the day-to-day well-being of animals and provide clinical care for all animals used in the conduct of research studies within the test facility in accordance with the Animal Welfare Regulations, PHS Policy, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. This includes the provision of high-quality preventive, routine, and emergent veterinary care during all phases of the animal's life and during use on research studies, as well as interaction with the IACUC, researchers, and senior management to ensure appropriate conduct of animal care and use activities. The SV may supervise direct reports, and in this role, will engage in the development of these employees, and administer policies, processes, and procedures that affect their workflow.

This is an exempt position with supervisory responsibility.

Role Responsibilities

• Ensure animal well-being by providing and prescribing preventive medical care, diagnosis, and treatment, including after work hours and during holidays. Conducts surgical, diagnostic, and other procedures, and interprets results of diagnostic testing. Mentor and provide guidance to veterinary technicians and research teams in the performance of delegated veterinary care activities.
• Interact collaboratively with the Attending Veterinarian, IACUC, senior management, research teams, and study directors regarding animal welfare and responsible conduct of research activities, including the development and enforcement of humane endpoints.
• Perform and document veterinary physical examinations, neurologic exams, ophthalmic exams, and other study-specific animal health assessments.
• Lead or collaborate in the training of research personnel and veterinary technical staff, including in anesthesia, surgery, and other animal use activities.
• Maintain records to comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, applicable animal welfare accreditation standards, and internal compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with the Attending Veterinarian to ensure compliance with USDA, AAALAC, OLAW, and other welfare authorities’ requirements for responsible use of animals in a research environment.
• Initiate and implement appropriate standard operating procedures and other procedural documents relevant to clinical care, behavioral management, anesthesia, analgesia, necropsy, and/or other activities relating to responsible animal use.
• Oversee performance, development, training needs, regulatory compliance, and accomplishments for all direct reports, as applicable. Communicate expectations and business needs to direct reports, as applicable.
• In collaboration with Human Resources, hire staff as needed and resolve all Employee Relations issues, as applicable.
• Maintain required medical and drug-use licenses.
• Attend relevant veterinary conferences as conduit ensuring highest standard of care and ethics maintained.
• Other duties as assigned.

Role Requirements

• DVM degree from US veterinary medical college or equivalent degree with US equivalency examination
• State of Michigan Veterinary License/Controlled Substance License
• Ability to obtain DEA Controlled Substance Registration
• Experience: 2 years of industry or CRO laboratory animal clinical medicine experience preferred
• USDA Category II Accreditation preferred
• Certification: DACLAM, DACVS, DACVAA, or DACAW board certification or board eligibility preferred.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office core applications and the ability to learn and use additional applications.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Experience with managing laboratory animal patients undergoing targeted-delivery surgical interventions
• Strong understanding of general anesthesia principles for laboratory animals
• Experience with review and interpretation of magnetic resonance images of CNS structures
• Excellent understanding of study design and protocols
• Knowledge of GLPs and other federal regulations relating to care of laboratory animals
• Ability to work effectively under time constraints

Behavioral Expectations

• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Dependability

Special Requirements

• The person filling this position will spend approximately 30% in an office setting and 70% in the Vivarium. There will be exposure to animal pathogens and chemicals. There will be handling of, and/or exposure to animal tissue and zoonotic organisms
• Ability to don and wear personal protective gear, including N95 masks and respirators
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Physical activity includes lifting (up to 50lbs), carrying (up to 40lbs for up to 50 feet), pushing/pulling (up to 75lbs force), reaching, gripping/pinching, standing and ascending ladder without restriction.
• Ability to work beyond typical work schedule including, but not limited to, evenings, weekends, and extended shifts with short notice as emergency animal care requires.