The Clinical Veterinarian works with the Director of Animal Health and Wellbeing and is responsible for the routine preventive, diagnostic, and emergency medical care for the animal collection. They partner with Animal Care teams to observe, test and otherwise monitor the health of the collection which includes routine wellness examinations, disease prevention and treatment, and emergency medical care and aspects of nutrition, research, and welfare and to safeguard both human and animal health and safety.  They also participate in planning and managing the institution's breeding program.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CLINICAL VETERINARIAN AT JBZ

The Clinical Veterinarian implements and monitors quarantine and pre-shipment testing procedures for incoming and outgoing animals to protect and preserve the health of the animal collection, prevent transmission of diseases and parasites, and comply with federal and state rules and regulations. They assist in the development and implementation of the Zoo’s comprehensive preventive care program, including and not limited to parasite prevention, routine vaccinations, contraceptive programs and routine examinations. The Clinical Veterinarian diagnoses animal illnesses and injuries and provides immediate and continuing medical care for ill and injured animals. They also assist in the development and implementation of protocols for immobilization and restraint of animals, among other tasks.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR A CLINICAL VETERINARIAN AT JBZ

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and at least two years of experience in the veterinary care of non-traditional, exotic or zoo animals, ideally including large and small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must possess or obtain within 60 days of the date of hire current State of Michigan Veterinary and Pharmacy licenses
• Must possess or obtain within 60 days of the date of hire current Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Controlled Substance Registration
• Must possess or obtain within 60 days of the date of hire current USDA Level II Veterinary Accreditation
• Affinity for the mission and values of John Ball Zoo
• Thorough working knowledge of:
  • The theory and practice of zoological medicine, wildlife epidemiology, safe handling of free ranging and captive wildlife, animal welfare, behavior, and psychology
  • The theory and practice of clinical veterinary medicine, including surgical techniques, pathology, microbiology, toxicology, zoonotic diseases, developmental biology, animal diagnostics, pharmacology, and other areas of veterinary medicine as applied to both exotic and domestic animals
  • Animal models of zoonotic diseases; microbial physiology; mechanisms of pathogenesis; mechanisms of protective immunity; vectors and disease transmission; efficacy of different modes of antibiotic therapy; and diagnostic tests for both acute and chronic zoonotic diseases
  • Radiology, anesthesiology, and diagnostic laboratory protocols and procedures
  • Animal quarantine and infection control protocols and procedures
  • Professional ethics and standards of practice for veterinary medical record documentation and demonstrable ability to accurately document and interpret animal medical records and notes
  • Protocols for the safe handling of venomous reptiles
  • Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation requirements; USDA regulations and requirements
• Ability to interact positively with a wide array of individuals from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Experience with the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) preferred