Veterinary Medical Officer - Veterinarian (Onsite) - National Older Worker Career Center

This position is responsible for routine and emergency veterinary services for the care of animals in a federal research facility. Duties would include on-site rounds to inspect and provide routine care or treatment for a variety of research animals (cattle, small ruminants, swine, chickens, turkeys, and small laboratory animals) five days each week; on-call response to the authorized government point of contact or alternate to provide emergency care and treatment for various research animals; diagnostic sampling and testing; prognostic determination; surgical procedures routine and emergency); obstetrical assistance; and consultation to facility and research staff on animal-related issues. The veterinarian must hold a personal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license for drug dispersion for controlled substances. Responsible for drafting and submitting complete records of examination findings, list of medications, treatments administered, prognostic assessments, and clinical outcomes to the designated authorized government point of contract or alternate. If needed, may be appointed by the Institutional Official to serve as the Attending Veterinarian.Work is performed in an office setting (40%), indoor and outdoor animal housing facilities, necropsy rooms, surgery suite, animal ABSL-2 facilities, and laboratories. Temperature extremes are common. Exposure to disagreeable odors, working around frightened, unpredictable, and ill-natured animals, and exposure to the risks and hazards of harmful biologicals, carcinogens, and physical agents are possible. ABSL-2 animal housing facilities require special precautions and coordination of personnel, animals, equipment, and facility safety controls. NEW Solutions is proud to connect professionals, age 55, with part-time and full-time opportunities throughout the country by providing skilled and experienced workers to government agencies. Position is currently posted at 32 hours per week but will be increased to 40 hours per week. *This position will be open until filled.

• Serves as a clinician and technical expert in veterinary care for all species of animals by conducting physical examinations of animals and using diagnostic testing to determine pathological conditions with appropriate and effective prophylactic or therapeutic treatment and/or surgical intervention as needed. Species to be cared for include, but are not limited to, traditional laboratory animals (hamsters, mice, rats), domestic livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs), companion animals, aquatic species used in aquaculture, poultry (chickens, turkeys), and wildlife (deer, mice). Ensures that appropriate methods are used to control, prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries and diseases. Must be knowledgeable of BSL-2 facility requirements and biosecurity best practices. Ensures that the care and use of all animals are consistent with humane principles and meet all applicable Federal Animal Welfare Regulations (AWAR), the Guide or Ag Guide guideline and policies.   40%
• Maintains animal program, clinical services and facilities in a manner that ensures accreditation by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) and assurance by the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, PHS Animal Welfare Assurance.   20%
• Performs necropsies/post-mortem procedures, clinical observations, histopathological examinations, and biochemical tests as necessary to support research studies. Collects and maintains histories of affected animals and associates these with other findings. Analyzes and interprets relevant clinical data to establish trends and put in place changes to animal care guidelines and practices to ensure animal welfare and health. Oversees and enforces approved procedures for animal euthanasia and assures that animal carcasses and waste are disposed of in a manner that maintains biological security, and is consistent with appropriate regulations, and is environmentally acceptable.   20%
• Coordinates rodent sentinel programs and makes recommendations regarding appropriate responses to rodent disease detection. Collects data and maintains exact and detailed records on individual animals, herd, and flock health. Records include data on reproductive health and performance and clinical health by hematology, serological, bacteriological, virological, biochemical, and other tests for pathological conditions. Analyzes data for trends in clinical health, implications, and problem identification.   10%
• Provides expertise in pharmacology to coordinate drug use in experimental animals. Responsible for maintaining an inventory of medicines, tranquilizers, anesthetics, analgesics, and other supplies used in veterinary medicine. Monitors the results of medications, treatments, surgery, and management changes for effectiveness and adjusts treatment strategies as necessary.   10%

• Training required by veterinarians to maintain state or other certification
• Health and Safety Considerations: Training in coordination with our Safety and Occupational Health Unit (SOHU) and specifically the Biosafety/Biosecurity Officer (BSO). The BSO provides in-person training and access to online training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) modules. The training provided by the BSO is mandatory for all new employees and it is called the Initial Laboratory Biosafety Training (animal/plant/human) and the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training. These would include biosafety and biosecurity programs and principles, biosafety manual, risk assessment, biosafety hazards and containment, safety equipment and barriers, BSL & ABSL levels 1-4 definitions, BSL-2 special practices ? limits access and medical surveillance: restricts access to immunized personnel (when required) and encouragement of immunocompromised personnel or personnel with special conditions (e.g., pregnant) to self-identify. The animal research training includes general and research specific zoonotic diseases, hazards and allergies, general laboratory safety, biological waste disposal, decontamination and disinfectants, occupational medical surveillance program, accident prevention and reporting, and a list of all training requirements such as annual radiation safety training, and annual chemical waste management training (hazardous waste). And purpose, regulations and definitions, exposures, prevention, and control, and where to find the Exposure Control Plan (ECP)for the Beltsville Location.