Animal Health Coordinator - 011 - OPS

POSITION :

Animal Health Coordinator

STATUS : Permanent; Full-Time

SHIFT : 35 hours per week

LOCATION : Provincial Office, Vancouver BC

CLASSIFICATION : Exempt

WAGE : Salaried

CLOSING DATE : Open Until Filled

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our on our website.

We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission and principles.

About the Position :

This position supports the work of the Senior Manager, Animal Health and the Chief Operations Officer by focusing on the optimization of animal health practices in the shelters and the enhancement of internal organization processes that support animal health.

This includes but is not limited to support of shelter medicine clinical cases, large scale animal intakes (LSAI), disease outbreaks and managing the ringworm program for the province.

The AHC focuses on the training and support of shelter Managers, staff and volunteers in animal health protocols. This position will be responsible for optimizing the accessibility and comprehension of animal health related resources, which will assist in decrease of disease outbreaks and help Animal Centres meet our BC SPCA welfare standards.

The Animal Health Coordinator will work collaboratively with the Animal Management Team and all relevant stakeholders to coordinate and consult on issues as they relate to animal health in Animal Centres.

Some specific duties :

Material Development Creating and consulting on new animal health protocols and documents as directed by the SMAHSupporting the SMAH in updating current animal health protocols and documents to reflect science based improvements in shelter medicineOngoing communication with shelters regarding areas where more protocols, documents and / or training would be beneficialCreation and implementation of various resources including online tools, visual aids, quick reference guides, etc.

around animal health related topics such as vaccine administration, low stress handling and medication administration.

Training Ongoing communication with management and staff on inquiries into protocolsTravelling to different BC SPCA locations to offer hands on training in observation techniques, animal health and welfare protocols and low stress handlingLeading and contributing to remote training opportunities including webinars, phone calls, and the creation of online resources as aboveCoordinating veterinary student Animal Welfare rotations;

ensuring that student evaluations are compiled and submitted; teaching veterinary students, veterinary technician students, and undergraduates as required

General Coordination for Animal Health Program Ongoing awareness of and support for all AH activities in the province including disease outbreaks, materials under development, gaps in materials, impending absences, etcMaintaining and organizing all AH materials and AH personnel descriptions on the staff portalProviding enhanced support to DVMs covering AH when the SMAH is absent;

maintaining Ops DVM / RVT Time Away scheduleCollecting, organizing and maintaining data for research purposes as directed by the SMAH

• Ringworm Plating of ringworm samples received from across the provinceOngoing monitoring and reporting of these casesCommunication and support for all BC SPCA shelters dealing with ringworm cases including biosecurity, treatment, troubleshooting, spreadsheet updating and animal movement within their shelterUpdating, implementing and training shelter staff on the use of Ringworm Comprehensive ProtocolPreparing orders through Health Canada EDR program for Lime Plus Dip, maintaining compliance with Health Canada requirements for use of Lime Plus Dip on EDR
• Case Management Support Creation and management of disease outbreak spreadsheets including communication with shelters and outside companies ( i.

e. drug and vaccine companies) regarding information requiredGaining skill and comfort over time with conducting risk assessments in disease exposure eventsWorking alongside hospital staff and the Ministry of Ag with monitoring, shipment, and tracking of RHD vaccines around the provinceSupporting BC SPCA shelters with inquiries regarding RHD vaccine usesAssist in medical intake planning for CID cases as directed by the SMAHContinual involvement in CID cases with medical relevancy as directed by the SMAHLead for animal health on LSAI planning calls, create and update animal health plans for LSAI groups, monitor weight trends and ensure appropriate action taken for seized LSAI animals.

Report all IDEXX results to Animal Centres and direct on treatment / biosecurity / etc with assistance from SMAH as needed.

Supporting SMAH in case support requests from Animal Centres by reviewing and summarizing medical records

• Continuing Education Leadership in the Veterinary Technology sector with the creation of articles, support groups and other means of academic communication that will reflect high shelter medicine and welfare standards within our organizationOngoing inquisition into studies, conferences and other learning platforms that will further heighten knowledge and expertise levels
• Supporting other SPCA departments as required for companion animal health and welfare issues
• Organization and minute taking for departmental meetings as needed, such as AMT meeting
• Assists in outreach initiatives including Charlie’s Food Bank as required
• Support veterinary outreach including to RVTs and RVT programs
• Performs other duties as required

Qualifications you need to have :

• Registered Veterinary Technician
• Experience in a shelter setting preferred
• Has a genuine compassion for animals and sound knowledge of the Five Freedoms and related animal welfare standards
• Basic understanding of shelter medicine required
• Animal behaviour training an asset
• Excellent communication and interpersonal (written and in-person) skills
• Clinical skills : ringworm plating and identification; low-stress handling of animals for medical examination, procedures, and treatment;

sampling and submission of common shelter medicine infectious disease samples

• Philosophical harmony with BC SPCA policies, programs and protocols
• Computer Skills Windows, MS Office; knowledge of Shelter Buddy an asset
• Willing to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Valid unrestricted Class 5 BC Drivers’ License and driver’s abstract and ability to regularly travel throughout the Province as necessary.
21 days ago