Director – Shelter Medicine Clinical Training

Summary:

Working in this position means you’ll be part of an established team of experts, valuably contributing to the ASPCA’s mission by training veterinarians in the field of shelter medicine. The Director, Shelter Medicine Clinical Training, works within the Shelter Medicine Services (SMS) team which provides shelter medicine expertise within the ASPCA and externally to partners and stakeholders. SMS collaborates across the ASPCA and with shelters, academic programs, and related professional organizations. SMS supports the integration of shelter medicine principles, develops extensive resources on shelter medicine and community animal health, engages in training and supervision of shelter medicine residents and other trainees, and serves in strategic roles in veterinary and animal welfare organizations. The Director plays a critical role serving as direct manager and clinical supervisor for NYC-based shelter medicine residents. 

Who we are

 SMS strives to improve the health and welfare of animals in shelters and communities by strategically applying expertise both internally at the ASPCA and externally with partners. SMS is the home department of the Julie Morris Shelter Medicine Residency, which is based in New York City. The SMS team is primarily comprised of veterinarians board-certified in the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners’ (ABVP) Shelter Medicine Practice and residents working towards board certification. Most team members are remote with significant travel. Members of SMS each have assigned projects and areas of emphasis but collectively subscribe to a workplace culture of life-long learning, relentless collaboration, and a willingness to dive into work that needs to be done. You will join this team of experts to make a real impact on animals and the next generation of veterinary and animal welfare professionals.

What you’ll do

SMS works to improve the health and welfare of animals in shelters and communities through consultation and guidance to enhance shelter operations and access to veterinary care programs. The Director, Shelter Medicine Clinical Training (Director) reports to the Senior Director of Shelter Medicine Training, and plays a critical role serving as direct manager and clinical supervisor for shelter medicine residents. The Director provides both clinical service and teaching while overseeing clinical work with residents across several NYC-based ASPCA programs and the Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC). The Director also engages in consultative work with shelters and other community animal health providers and supports the residents’ consultative work. Along with the rest of the SMS team, the Director develops shelter medicine resources and provides training on shelter medicine topics.  

To succeed in this role, the Director must have significant expertise in shelter medicine, including excellent clinical skills, to provide high-quality animal care to animals in need as well as mentoring, training, and support for the residents. Ideally, the Director is board-certified in Shelter Medicine Practice or actively progressing towards achieving board-certification (within 2 years). They must have outstanding interpersonal, communication, collaboration, and teaching skills. Success also hinges on their ability to identify and leverage past experience in a wide range of situations to provide a high-quality and collaborative, nuanced approach to implementation of individual and population level animal health and well-being principles. Deep relationship building across teams is essential for establishing clinical working relationships and understanding of the work.

The Director reports to the Senior Director of Shelter Medicine Training, and will supervise the Julie Morris Shelter Medicine Residents.

Where and When You’ll Work

This position is based in New York City and requires flexibility to commute to and between NYC-based programs as well as the ability to travel up to 15% of the time as needed (for example for shelter consultations, conferences, team meetings, and other professional development activities).  When not directly supervising resident clinical training opportunities and traveling, the Director will have the option to work remotely in a home office (up to 20%). Hours are primarily Monday through Friday with occasional weekend hours for travel, remote consultation or remote support for residents.

There is also the option for this position to be an 80% FTE, 4-day per week schedule. For candidates working 4 days a week, Wednesday is required, and all work would be on-site.

What You’ll Get

Compensation

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.

Veterinarians with Shelter Medicine Board Certification

• The target hiring range for this role at 100% FTE is $175,000 - $183,000 annually

Veterinarians who do not have Shelter Medicine Board Certification

• The target hiring range for this role at 100% FTE is $168,000 - $176,000 annually

Benefits

At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off that includes vacation time, paid personal time, sick time, bereavement time, paid parental leave, and 10 company paid holidays that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.
• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings, including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar-for-dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
• Robust professional development opportunities, including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field and so much more.

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.

Responsibilities:

Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance, and include but are not limited to:

Teaching through Clinical Service

• In close partnership with the Residency Program Director and Residency Advisor implement a robust shelter medicine residency training program and support residents in successful completion of all ABVP Shelter Medicine Practice credentialing requirements
• Provide direct and indirect supervision of resident clinical training in NYC-based programs. As warranted, directly supervise or assist residents when performing procedures, surgery or comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment; ensure appropriate clinical supervision at all NYC locations when residents are not directly supervised by the Director
• Collaborate with SMS team members to ensure successful specialty-level learning experiences with ASPCA departments and external programs in the context of shelter medicine and community animal health clinical settings
• Collaborate with ASPCA and ACC NYC veterinary teams to train residents to deliver high-quality, practical, compassionate, and cost-efficient veterinary care in accordance with shelter medicine and access to care principles and practices
• Collaborate with programs to identify optimal caseloads for the residents and support residents on medical and surgical services as they assume primary case responsibility
• Work with staff to ensure timely scheduling of veterinary services as well as efficient and humane flow of animals from intake through outcome
• Engage in appropriate and timely animal treatment and outcome decision-making with attention to animals’ physical, medical, social and behavioral needs collectively
• Participate in daily population rounds and other applicable program meetings
• Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Support residents in responding to shelter consultations and producing educational materials, including presentations, reports, and written resources
• Attend and evaluate resident presentations when requested by the Resident Advisor
• Support residents' shelter medicine research and publication, including support in identifying projects, data collection, and project management to ensure timely completion of tasks
• Engage with residents in training and providing support for other clinical trainees, including interns, externs, and veterinary students
• Rotate on-call coverage to support the residents and SMS consultation service
• As direct supervisor, ensure a respectful, welcoming environment and strong learning culture through clear expectations, active goal setting, and regular feedback and after-action conversations:
  • Coach and critique the residents’ knowledge, clinical and technical proficiency, communication skills, and overall progress
  • Provide consistent, high-quality feedback, including regular 1:1s and quarterly feedback sessions to build strong relationships, provide clear direction, and encourage opportunities for development.
  • Complete annual performance evaluations and goal setting
  • Handle employee-relations issues with confidentiality and care, employing active listening to understand employee concerns, encouraging problem solving, and creating viable solutions
  • Practice and espouse positive, people-centric management approaches in line with team and organizational core values
• Serve as a champion in times of change management and proactively assist in identifying ways to improve people, policies, and medical protocols.
• Maintain proactive communication with the Residency Program Director and Residency Advisor as to any critical situations or issues

Shelter Medicine Consultations and Resource Development

• Provide remote and on-site shelter consultations with other members of SMS, residents, and shelter medicine practitioners, including evaluation of programs and protocols and writing of reports
• Improve animal health and strengthen shelter medicine programs through development and delivery of high-quality resources on shelter medicine, community animal health, and animal welfare topics
• Stay abreast of shelter medicine and community animal health practices and engage in adaption and implementation of these practices in shelter and community settings
• Support the advancement of shelter medicine by engaging in strategic veterinary medical and animal welfare organizations on a regional or national level
• Complete or maintain Shelter Medicine Board Specialty certification with ABVP

Qualifications

• Current veterinary license in New York State or able to obtain NYS licensure within 60 days of employment required.
• Strong knowledge and experience in shelter medicine practice and companion animal population health
• Strong clinical skills, including efficient diagnosis and treatment of cats and dogs for a variety of medical and surgical conditions
• Sound clinical judgement, strong critical-thinking and multi-tasking skills; able to quickly adjust focus and shift priorities based on patient and program needs
• Excellent low-stress animal handling skills
• Proven leader who inspires, guides, and supports individuals to work together toward shared goals
• Creative and solution-minded problem-solver and clinician with a positive, proactive attitude in the face of complex challenges 
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead teams, even without formal authority, by demonstrating flexibility, resiliency, and commitment
• Skillful and diplomatic communicator, possessing confidence and composure required to effectively communicate with staff and management at a variety of levels 
• Strong organizational, analytical, writing, and presentation skills
• Able to work across a variety of programmatic teams and different work locations, as well as to work in a home office with minimal supervision
• Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies.

Education and Experience 

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary college required
• Board certification in Shelter Medicine Practice, or candidates actively pursuing and able to demonstrate progress toward obtaining board certification in Shelter Medicine Practice, preferred
• Minimum of five years of veterinary experience required
• Minimum of three years of shelter medicine experience, including working directly in or closely with a variety of sheltering organizations on both individual animal and population level concerns, required 
• Experience training veterinarians or veterinary students preferred

Language:

English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

Doctorate: Veterinary Medicine (Required)