Animal Doctor

Animal Doctor - Pittsburgh, PA

Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (HARP), one of Pennsylvania's largest animal welfare organizations, is seeking a skilled and passionate veterinarian to join our team.

This role combines responsibilities in shelter medicine, clinical medicine, and surgery. The ideal candidate will share our commitment to the ethical and humane treatment of animals in our community.

Our veterinarians provide exceptional medical and surgical care to both shelter animals and public clinic patients.

Our medical team actively participates in community programs such as the Pet Retention Program, Pet Food Pantry, Community and Working Cat Programs, Humane Health Coalition, and Street Medicine and Outreach.

We also provide medical and surgical care to a wide range of wildlife at HARP's Wildlife Center.

Our Purpose

HARP operates two large shelters with full-service Veterinary Medical Centers open to the public, as well as a Wildlife Center led by licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialists.

Our shelters are committed to providing high-quality, affordable veterinary services and wellness care to animals and people in our community.

Our recently upgraded East End location features modern, low-stress housing for shelter animals, a full surgical suite, digital radiography, ultrasound, and an in-house diagnostics lab.

We also have a mobile clinic unit that offers care at two free clinics per month.

As part of our commitment to mentorship, we offer a veterinary student extern program and provide in-house and off-site continuing education opportunities for our veterinary staff.

This is a unique opportunity to work in an environment that encourages and supports high-quality, progressive shelter and clinical practice.

HARP offers competitive pay, excellent benefits, and PTO to our employees. Signing and relocation bonuses are available to qualified applicants.

Our Veterinary positions are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Principal Responsibilities :

• Provide surgical and medical care for shelter animals, owned animals, and wildlife as needed
• Maintain knowledge of shelter animal health protocols, surgical procedures, and companion animal health issues
• Develop and implement protocols for veterinary care and disease control
• Perform surgical sterilization, including pediatric and high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter procedures
• Administer treatments and medications, perform diagnostic procedures, and provide vaccinations
• Conduct client-requested euthanasia according to established protocols
• Collaborate with local veterinarians and shelter professionals to foster positive relationships
• Maintain accurate medical records and drug use logs
• Provide mentoring to veterinary technicians, students, and externs
• Participate in on-call rotations and assist in training staff
• Maintain positive relationships with co-workers, clients, and stakeholders
• Ensure confidentiality of employee, client, and animal information
• Work at HARP Humane Health Coalition clinics as scheduled

Qualifications :

• Outstanding customer service skills
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask under pressure
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills
• Effective communication and rapport-building abilities
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Experience with shelter software is a plus

Work Environment : This position involves working with animals and may include exposure to aggressive animals, infections, controlled substances, unpleasant odors, and noises.

It may also involve exposure to bites, scratches, animal wastes, and contagious diseases. The primary work environment is the shelter, with a moderate noise level.

Physical Demands : The role requires bending, standing, stooping, walking, sitting, talking, listening, and using hands to handle, manipulate, or feel.

The ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds is necessary.

Safety & Health Program : All employees are expected to cooperate in the shelter's Safety & Health program, which includes reporting accidents, wearing personal protective equipment, reporting hazardous conditions, and participating in Safety Committee activities.

Travel : Some travel between locations and to vaccine clinics may be required.

Required Education and Experience :

• Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine
• Current Veterinary License to practice in Pennsylvania (or ability to obtain)
• USDA APHIS Certified (or willingness to enroll in certification)
• Valid driver's license
• DEA license (or willingness to apply)
• Experience and / or interest in shelter medicine preferred
• Experience in high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter surgery preferred

Preferred Experience : Prior shelter experience is preferred.