Join our team and become an invaluable partner to inspire, empower, and educate others to change our society. Get back to what you love! At Alaqua, your clients are the animals and your focus will be on saving their lives.

The role of Alaqua’s Veterinarian is to provide high-quality medical care to animals in need, as well as be a crucial link to their overall wellbeing and path to a better life. In this position, you will positively affect the lives of thousands of animals with your skills and knowledge and know that at the end of day you helped make a difference in saving their lives and giving them a second chance.

You will be responsible for diagnosing and treating a variety of medical conditions, as well as executing and directing medical operations and sound veterinary medical practices for the humane treatment of all animals. Our Medical Clinic includes:  fully equipped exam rooms; X-ray equipment; a dental machine; digital radiography; in-house bloodwork and urinalysis machines; basic tools for orthopedic surgeries; an isolation ward; a surgical suite; ICU; a veterinary office; and animal recovery areas.

Leadership

• Promote a caring attitude toward animals and people with respect and kindness to achieve the same goal—to give every animal that comes to us in need a second chance—regardless of circumstances, including those that are sick, injured, feral or aggressive
• Foster a spirit of teamwork and perform duties in a manner that assists Alaqua in the achievement of its mission, vision, and strategic goals thereby encouraging community support of its work
• Safeguard the general health and welfare of animals by providing training to staff and volunteers including education of animal disease and transmission
• Stay current on new trends and opportunities to improve animal care, surgical protocols and techniques, sanitation, and disease control
• Build rapport with both internal and external doctors, specialists, medical and non-medical staff, volunteers, foster families, and potential adopters
• Work with team to continually develop and maintain day-to-day operations of a comprehensive shelter medicine program
• Lead the evaluation and establishment of medical protocols to ensure animal care is prioritized
• Adhere to a comprehensive healthcare program with the following components: environmental sanitation, record keeping, disease surveillance, physical examinations, vaccination, parasite control, disease testing, disease treatment, surgery, nutrition, outbreak response, and environmental and enrichment for animals in shelter and foster homes

 Staff Veterinarian

• Ensure high-quality medical care and services for all animals throughout the Refuge by focusing on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of health problems
• Provide medical services to all animal species, including animal disposition at intake, physical examinations, diagnostics, treatments, and follow-ups
• Perform high-volume spay and neuter surgeries
• Perform emergency and non-emergency surgeries, including but not limited to dentistry, enucleations, exploratory laparotomies, orthopedics, tumor removal, amputations, etc.
• Provide emergency medical care as needed, including but not limited to IV catheter placement, emergency surgery, Parvo treatment, etc.
• Oversee the maintenance and security of drug supply inventory ensuring meticulous records are kept
• Identify and assist to resolve ethical issues involving the wellbeing of each animal

Supportive Roles

• Present medical information in a court setting and be considered an expert witness for trials if necessary
• Attend events, educational outreach, seminars, or assist state and federal agencies with wildlife or domestic animal conflicts
• Assist in cruelty cases when required
• Hold training courses as needed (e.g. FACA euthanasia course)

• Knowledge of general medical, surgical, and dental services to small and large animal patients
• Ability to professionally research and present alternative medicines, therapies, and clinical trials that demonstrate potential for life improvement
• Confidence in working on and treating exotic birds, large and small domesticates, and wildlife
• Ability to teach/train Alaqua team in animal health, disease recognition/control, animal behavior and other animal matters
• Ability to obtain positive, clear, compassionate, productive communication with team, volunteers, community, government officials, and donors
• Analytical and scientific aptitude to detect the potential spread of disease; Ability to quickly develop a plan to stop/control the contagion

• DVM degree from an accredited university
• Must have or maintain a DEA license
• Must have or obtain USDA APHIS Category II license
• Must have or obtain Florida State Veterinary license
• Experience with HQHV spays and neuters
• Experience handling large animals
• Shelter Medicine certification or experience in a shelter environment preferred
• Experience using ShelterLuv program is preferred

• Full time work hours are between 8:30 AM and 5 P.M.
• May be called in for extreme emergencies may occur (rare)
• Observed holidays are Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Easter, Independence Day

The work environment is primarily indoors consisting of computer work/notes in the doctor’s office, intake/medical exams in the exam room, surgeries in the surgical suite, and intake/medical exams in a small office at Alaqua Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at our second property. Some outdoor exams and procedures for the large animals and wildlife are required. Our wildlife facility is equipped with an exam table/surgical suite and this location is used once per week typically. This environment is suited for those who can block out surrounding distractions, thrive in a busy atmosphere, and are able to remain calm and steady in a challenging yet rewarding work environment.

Overnight travel is minimum and limited to conferences and trainings offered. Occasional local travel is required to participate in rescues and releases.

Physical Demands

• Standing or sitting for 8 or more hours
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the day with help
• Able to bend and kneel repeatedly
• Have reasonable degree of agility to move through tightly cramped areas in various situations
• Have acceptable sense of touch and smell
  • Must be able to work and reach on hands and knees
  • Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination
  • Must possess an acceptable degree of dexterity in hands and fingers
• Have good vision—peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception, and ability to focus
• Ability to perform multiple surgeries in a day (10-20)

Emotional/Mental Requirements

• Must be able to work effectively and efficiently under stressful conditions
• Must be able to cope with death, either due to surgical complication or euthanasia
• Ability to process information rapidly and accurately
• Ability to delegate tasks
• Ability to recognize a need for assistance and ask for help
• Ability to make tough decisions confidently
• Ability to cope with frustrating situations and remain calm
• Ability to present medical information in a court setting when necessary for cruelty cases