Veterinary Animal Care Manager

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), St Kitts is seeking a veterinarian who will be responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day veterinary care, management and husbandry of all RUSVM owned animals on campus, teaching small groups of veterinary students animal husbandry and handling. In addition, there would be the opportunity to develop an academic career, with options to take on some didactic sessions (for example: "Feeding healthy animals" lectures).

Job Description

**Responsibilities**:

- Responsible for the first line veterinary care of all animals on campus. Working with the AV and RUSVM faculty clinicians to provide 24/7 care (including partaking in the on call rotation, with a 1 in 5 rotation throughout semester, and providing cover over the 2 week semester breaks (holidays to be taken out with these times, with the exception of the 3 week winter break where cover 1 in 3 yrs would be required).
- Supervision of Student helpers (ACT & Student +) in the care and feeding of university-owned animals and ensure all are properly trained on IACUC-approved SOP's.
- Oversee the maintenance of the RUSVM animal facilities/housing with input from the IACUC to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Responsible for feeding and feed procurement protocols and ensuring they are updated as required.
- Maintain Standard Operation Procedures for animal husbandry and ensure all animals meet criteria required for laboratory assignment
- Procuring necessary requirements for herd health maintenance (feed, medication, nutrition, wormers, vaccines, etc.) from approved sources
- Vendor quality assurance and management (Grass, Farrier, waste removal, welder, etc)
- Manages and coordinates calendar for all animal use required for research and labs while ensuring compliance with IACUC approved rest periods.
- Oversee that records are maintained: including RUSVM animal medical records in ProVet Cloud, Research and Teaching IACUC protocols as they relate to the RUSVM animals, rest periods, teaching and club requests for animal use, SOP's relating to RUSVM animals, adverse event records that occur with any RUSVM animals.
- Work closely with the IACUC to ensure animal welfare and compliance to SOP's, policies, protocols, etc.
- Management and supervision of the Animal Resources team.
- Responsible for safe and humane animal procurement and transportation of animals to and from RUSVM campus.
- Ensuring that Animal Users (PI) periodically renew their protocols.
- Ensure that emergency contacts and SOP's are readily available to people who may need access.
- Responsible for the teaching of early semester animal handling/care practical sessions.
- Responsible for the Adoption programs of retired dogs and donkeys and the sales program for retired sheep & cattle.
- Will work closely with the Attending Veterinarian to be sure he/she is informed and up to date on the RUSVM animals in routine matters and in the case of any concerns, illness, or euthanasia.
- Completes other duties as assigned.
- This position is a designated Campus Security Authority.

Qualifications
- DVM or Equivalent required.
- Must have several years of primary experience in the care of large groups of animals over a range of domestic species.
- Experience in supporting and helping maintain budget requirements with strong solution based approach to determining course of action on past and present practices.
- Several years hand-on experience organizing and maintaining animals' health, husbandry, use & tracking
- Several years of organizational lead and or supervisory skills managing a large and diverse vivarium (350+ animals) is required.
- Knowledge and experience regarding nutritional and husbandry needs of donkeys, dogs, sheep, horses, cows, and exotics (incl rodents) depending on Small / exotic supervisor or Large Animal supervisor knowledge is required.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to influence and manage issues within the team and external personnel to maximize productivity.

Additional Information

Equal Opportunity - Minority / Female / Disability / V / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation