Clinical Veterinarian

Description

Position Summary

The McConnell Group (TMG), a health science company, is seeking a Clinical Veterinarian to support animal care and research programs in academic laboratory settings in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This position provides veterinary clinical services for research animals, works closely with faculty, principal investigators, animal care teams, and institutional leadership, and helps ensure humane animal care and scientifically sound research practices. The Clinical Veterinarian will contribute to clinical case management, study planning, personnel training, and regulatory compliance across the laboratory animal program.

Key Responsibilities

Provide preventive, diagnostic, medical, surgical, and emergency veterinary care for laboratory animals, including small and, as applicable, large animal species used in academic research.

Assess animal health and welfare; develop treatment plans; oversee clinical cases; and advise researchers on humane endpoints, pain management, anesthesia, analgesia, and perioperative care.

Collaborate with principal investigators and research teams on animal model selection and development, study procedures, breeding or colony management, and refinement of research techniques.

Review animal use protocols and amendments; offer veterinary input to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and support approved study implementation. Support compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and applicable USDA requirements, the PHS Policy and OLAW guidance where applicable, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, institutional policies, and AAALAC accreditation standards where applicable.

Maintain complete, accurate veterinary records and related documentation; support inspections, program reviews, accreditation activities, and corrective action plans.

Train and advise animal care personnel, veterinary technicians, investigators, and other research staff in animal handling, clinical procedures, biosecurity, and responsible animal use.

Work with the attending veterinarian, animal facility leadership, and environmental health and safety personnel to address animal health, occupational safety, and facility issues. Safely prescribe, administer, and oversee medications and controlled substances within applicable laws, institutional authorizations, and standard operating procedures.

Participate in on-call, weekend, holiday, or after-hours coverage as program needs require.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) degree, or equivalent veterinary degree recognized for U.S. licensure.
• Active license to practice veterinary medicine in at least one U.S. state, with ability to obtain Pennsylvania licensure within the timeframe required for the position.
• Clinical veterinary experience with research animals and familiarity with the ethical and regulatory requirements of an academic animal care and use program.
• Ability to evaluate animal health, manage clinical cases, and communicate sound veterinary recommendations to investigators and animal care personnel.
• Strong documentation, judgment, collaboration, and organizational skills; ability to work independently and across scientific disciplines.
• Ability to meet applicable institutional occupational health, immunization, screening, animal facility access, and background check requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DACLAM), or eligibility to pursue ACLAM board certification.
• Two or more years of experience in laboratory animal medicine, preferably within a university or academic medical research institution.
• Experience supporting multiple laboratory animal species and specialized research models; familiarity with aseptic surgery, anesthesia, imaging, and physiologic monitoring.
• Experience providing clinical guidance or supervision to veterinary technicians and animal care staff.
• Familiarity with IACUC operations, AAALAC accreditation, GLP-regulated studies where applicable, or work in enhanced bio-containment environments.

Work Environment and Schedule

This is an onsite position in Pittsburgh-area academic research laboratories and animal care facilities. Work involves entry into animal housing and procedure areas and may require the safe handling or restraint of animals, use of personal protective equipment, and adherence to institutional biosafety and occupational health procedures. The regular schedule will be determined by the assigned program; limited evening, weekend, holiday, or emergency coverage may be required. Any travel requirements will be communicated for the assigned site.

Benefits: The McConnell Group offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), and a range of other voluntary benefits. Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular full-time employees. 

The McConnell Group Recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes without regard to race, religion, creed, color, citizenship, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including termination, layoff, recall, transfer, and leaves of absence. 

As required by law, The McConnell Group participates in E-Verify, a service of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA), to verify the identity and employment eligibility of persons hired to work in the United States. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities as an applicant, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify 

Applications can be submitted electronically or by submitting a paper resume to:  The McConnell Group, Attention: Human Resources 1 Research Court, Suite 450, Rockville, MD 20850. 

Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description/posting shall constitute an offer or promise of employment.