Staff Veterinarian

NorthernBio; Muskegon (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NorthernBio is seeking a Staff Veterinarian to oversee clinical care and welfare of laboratory animals in a research facility located in Michigan. The SV will lead preventive and emergent veterinary services, supervise staff, and ensure compliance with USDA, AAALAC, and IACUC standards.

The role requires a DVM and Michigan license, with preferred board certification or eligibility, and DEA registration. Strong communication and regulatory knowledge are essential for success.

Qualifications

• DVM degree from US veterinary medical college or equivalent degree with US equivalency examination.
• USDA Category II Accreditation preferred.
• Michigan license/CS license required.
• DEA registration ability.
• Board certification or eligibility preferred (DACLAM/DACVS/DACVAA/DACAW).

Responsibilities

• Provide preventive, routine, and emergent veterinary care for research animals, including after hours and holidays.
• Collaborate with Attending Veterinarian, IACUC, and study directors on welfare and humane endpoints.
• Perform veterinary exams and health assessments including CNS imaging interpretation.
• Lead or contribute to training of veterinary staff and research personnel in anesthesia, surgery, and care of laboratory animals.
• Maintain records to comply with local, state, federal regulations and internal policies.
• Ensure compliance with USDA, AAALAC, OLAW and related welfare standards.
• Develop SOPs for clinical care, anesthesia, analgesia, necropsy, and related activities.
• Oversee performance and development of direct reports; manage HR-related staff issues as needed.
• Hire staff in collaboration with Human Resources and manage staff workload.
• Maintain veterinary licenses and regulatory approvals.
• Attend veterinary conferences to uphold high standards of care and ethics.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication

Ability to work under time constraints

Experience with laboratory animal care

Education

DVM or equivalent (US)

USDA Category II Accreditation preferred

Michigan Veterinary License/Controlled Substance License

DEA Registration preferred

Board certification or eligibility (DACLAM/DACVS/DACVAA/DACAW) preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Role Summary

The Staff Veterinarian (SV) will promote the day-to-day well-being of animals and provide clinical care for all animals used in the conduct of research studies within the test facility in accordance with the Animal Welfare Regulations, PHS Policy, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. This includes the provision of high-quality preventive, routine, and emergent veterinary care during all phases of the animal's life and during use on research studies, as well as interaction with the IACUC, researchers, and senior management to ensure appropriate conduct of animal care and use activities. The SV may supervise direct reports, and in this role, will engage in the development of these employees, and administer policies, processes, and procedures that affect their workflow.

**For Senior Staff Vet candidates, compensation will be commensurate with the qualifications, experience, and expertise required for the position and within market rate.

Role Responsibilities

• Ensure animal well-being by providing and prescribing preventive medical care, diagnosis, and treatment, including after work hours and during holidays. Conducts surgical, diagnostic, and other procedures, and interprets results of diagnostic testing. Mentor and provide guidance to veterinary technicians and research teams in the performance of delegated veterinary care activities.
• Interact collaboratively with the Attending Veterinarian, IACUC, senior management, research teams, and study directors regarding animal welfare and responsible conduct of research activities, including the development and enforcement of humane endpoints.
• Perform and document veterinary physical examinations, neurologic exams, ophthalmic exams, and other study-specific animal health assessments.
• Lead or collaborate in the training of research personnel and veterinary technical staff, including in anesthesia, surgery, and other animal use activities.
• Maintain records to comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, applicable animal welfare accreditation standards, and internal compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with the Attending Veterinarian to ensure compliance with USDA, AAALAC, OLAW, and other welfare authorities’ requirements for responsible use of animals in a research environment.
• Initiate and implement appropriate standard operating procedures and other procedural documents relevant to clinical care, behavioral management, anesthesia, analgesia, necropsy, and/or other activities relating to responsible animal use.
• Oversee performance, development, training needs, regulatory compliance, and accomplishments for all direct reports, as applicable. Communicate expectations and business needs to direct reports, as applicable.
• In collaboration with Human Resources, hire staff as needed and resolve all Employee Relations issues, as applicable.
• Maintain required medical and drug-use licenses.
• Attend relevant veterinary conferences as conduit ensuring highest standard of care and ethics maintained.
• Other duties as assigned.

Role Requirements

• DVM degree from US veterinary medical college or equivalent degree with US equivalency examination
• State of Michigan Veterinary License/Controlled Substance License
• Ability to obtain DEA Controlled Substance Registration
• Experience: 2 years of industry or CRO laboratory animal clinical medicine experience preferred
• USDA Category II Accreditation preferred
• Certification: DACLAM, DACVS, DACVAA, or DACAW board certification or board eligibility preferred.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office core applications and the ability to learn and use additional applications.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Experience with managing laboratory animal patients undergoing targeted-delivery surgical interventions
• Strong understanding of general anesthesia principles for laboratory animals
• Experience with review and interpretation of magnetic resonance images of CNS structures
• Excellent understanding of study design and protocols
• Knowledge of GLPs and other federal regulations relating to care of laboratory animals
• Ability to work effectively under time constraints

Behavioral Expectations

• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Dependability

Special Requirements

• The person filling this position will spend approximately 30% in an office setting and 70% in the Vivarium. There will be exposure to animal pathogens and chemicals. There will be handling of, and/or exposure to animal tissue and zoonotic organisms
• Ability to don and wear personal protective gear, including N95 masks and respirators
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Physical activity includes lifting (up to 50lbs), carrying (up to 40lbs for up to 50 feet), pushing/pulling (up to 75lbs force), reaching, gripping/pinching, standing and ascending ladder without restriction.
• Ability to work beyond typical work schedule including, but not limited to, evenings, weekends, and extended shifts with short notice as emergency animal care requires.