Clinical Veterinarian

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance invites a Clinical Veterinarian to join our Veterinary Medicine team, advancing care for our animals within a collaborative hospital setting.

This role leads clinical case management, anesthesia, surgery, and preventive medicine, mentoring residents and interns, and collaborating with nutrition, pathology, and field conservation programs to support One Health and conservation goals.

Qualifications

• DVM degree and zoological medicine residency training (ACZM-compliant) preferred.
• Experience mentoring veterinary students and residents.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple departments and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality veterinary care including diagnostic evaluation, treatment, surgery, anesthesia, and preventive medicine.
• Mentor and supervise residents and interns in zoological medicine.
• Collaborate with Nutrition, Pathology, Field Conservation, and Animal Wellbeing teams.
• Maintain timely medical records and manage controlled drug inventory in compliance with regulations.
• Coordinate and participate in emergency on-call coverage and hospital operations.

Skills

Veterinary care

Clinical leadership

Mentorship

Education

DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)

ACZM-compliant Zoological Medicine Residency

Job description

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission of Inspiring Communities to Save Wildlife for Future Generations.

DZCA honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect, and by embracing our Core Values of: Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do.

The Clinical Veterinarian advances DZCA's mission by providing all aspects of clinical veterinary care for the animals at Denver Zoo and in collaboration with the Zoo’s wildlife care, animal wellbeing, and conservation programs. Duties include clinical case management and communication, including diagnostic evaluation, treatment, surgery, and anesthesia, administering the Zoo’s preventative medicine program, mentoring veterinary students, interns, and residents, collaborating with the Zoo’s veterinary pathology and nutrition programs, and leading or supporting research endeavors. This position is part of a highly cohesive and progressive Veterinary Medicine team that includes a Senior Director of Wildlife Health & Conservation, Director of Clinical Medicine, three Clinical Veterinarians, a Veterinary Pathologist, a Veterinary Resident, a Director of Veterinary Operations/Registered Veterinary Technician, and five clinical Registered Veterinary Technicians. In 2021, The Denver Zoo opened the 22,000 square foot state-of-the-art Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital that features an extensive suite of advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities, including in-house computed tomography (CT).

All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. DZCA is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Our team is made up of passionate and diverse professionals dedicated to providing excellent care for our animals while creating meaningful experiences for our guests. If you're excited to contribute your skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is the place for you!

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Clinical Veterinary Care

• Align veterinary program and individual leadership with Denver Zoo core values to be welcoming, curious, united, courageous, and transformative.
• Provide collaborative high quality and innovative veterinary care for the animals at DZCA, ensuring consistency among the clinical veterinarian team, including species-appropriate advanced diagnostic evaluation, treatment, anesthesia, surgery, emergency and critical care, pathology assistance and collaboration, and administration of the Zoo’s preventative medicine program.
• Schedule and coordinate appointments and procedures, including developing and fostering relationships with outside clinical consultants.
• Share caseload management and clinical coverage, including rotating emergency on-call availability.
• Maintain timely and complete medical records and controlled drug inventory documentation, including ultra-potent narcotics in compliance with DEA regulations.
• Assist with animal shipments, quarantine, biosecurity measures, and complete certificates of veterinary inspection (CVIs) as part of pre-shipment evaluation.
• Effectively communicate relevant clinical case findings and management plans with the Animal Care and Animal Wellbeing teams, fostering strong partnerships for patient care.
• Assist with oversight of hospital operations, including proper equipment operation, appropriate medical sanitation, and compliance with federal regulations and AZA accreditation and safety standards.

Teaching, Mentorship, Research

• Mentor and supervise residents in the ACZM-compliant Zoological Medicine Residency Program, as well as visiting interns, and students, collaborating with the veterinarian team to ensure consistent high-quality mentorship.
• Lead and/or collaborate on veterinary research and present findings at relevant professional meetings or in scientific publications.

Internal and External Engagement

• Facilitate strong communication and collaboration between the veterinary team and all other departments in the zoo.
• Provide positive professional interactions and accurate information regarding Zoo animals and program activities to zoo staff, visitors, vendors and volunteers, including through guest tours, public-facing programs, and the media.
• Provide veterinary perspectives to the Animal Wellbeing program, including animal welfare assessments and medical aspects of behavioral husbandry.
• Collaborate with the Zoo’s PhD Nutritionist and Animal Nutrition team regarding nutritional aspects of clinical case management.
• Provide veterinary expertise to the Zoo’s Field Conservation programs, collaborating on program development pertaining to One Health and Conservation Medicine.
• Share and engage with the public at the Zoo hospital or elsewhere through regular collaboration with the Guest Engagement team who operates the hospital’s public viewing gallery.
• Participate as needed in administrative roles at the Zoo or externally, such as various committees, task forces, or other professional roles.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Other assistance, as designated by the Director of Clinical Medicine, to support the overall goals of the department and organization. Denver Zoo retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: The Clinical Veterinarian does not directly supervise other staff but will be expected to lead teams during medical procedures and for clinical case management. The Clinical Veterinarian will also be expected to provide training and mentorship to veterinary house officers and students participating in clinical rotations at the Denver Zoo, as well as didactic training for outside groups or universities.
• Budgetary/Fiscal Responsibilities: Acts as a good steward of Denver Zoo’s resources.
• Responsibility for Confidentiality: The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of Denver Zoo.
• Contact with Others: This position will interact with managers at all levels and staff members across the organization, in addition to members