Temporary Veterinarian #2

BRANCH: Wildlife Health

COMMENCING: Summer 2020

DURATION: 12 Months

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Basic Function: Reporting to the Senior Director Wildlife & Science, this position shares responsibility in
maintaining the health of the animal collection and supporting research and conservation projects. This
position will assist and provide support in implementing the approved Strategic Plan.

Responsibilities

• Maintains the health of the animal collection, primarily through preventative medicine, and routinely

checks the condition of the animals.

• Diagnoses animal diseases and injuries and provides professional medical and surgical treatment,

including overnight and weekend coverage of animal health emergencies on a rotating on-call basis.

• Performs or supervises the physical and chemical restraint of animals for management and medical

reasons.

• Collaborates regularly and enthusiastically with colleagues, and with specialists from outside the Zoo on

an as-needed basis.

• Evaluates daily keeper reports with reference to animal health problems.

• Instructs Zoo employees on training and enrichment programs, and the administration of medication to

the animals.

• Provides information and direction in animal health matters.

• Maintains daily records of clinical activities.

• Establishes appropriate quarantine holdings for new animal arrivals, and establishes quarantine

procedures as required by law or deemed necessary to prevent disease transmission.

• Routinely examines and performs appropriate tests to determine the health of quarantined animals

before releasing them to the collection.

• Examines animals prior to shipment and issues health certificates in accordance with government

regulations.

• Supervises or performs laboratory examination of blood, tissue, or other animal material in order to

establish normal physiological parameters and aid in the diagnosis of disease processes. Determines
the presence of pathogenic agents.

• Performs post-mortem examinations on animals, or submits specimens to the appropriate laboratory to

determine the cause(s) of death.

• Reports significant health problems in the animal collection to the appropriate Wildlife Care and Wildlife

& Science staff.

• Performs clinical work “on display” to visitors in the Wildlife Health Centre public viewing gallery, and

provides explanatory commentary when possible.

• Responsible for ensuring compliance with WHMIS legislation, the Ontario Occupational Health and

Safety Act, and Toronto Zoo Safety Policies; for ensuring all employees work in a safe manner, with the
appropriate protective equipment, and that all accidents and hazards in his/her area or responsibility are
investigated and corrective action taken.

• Assists guests on-site as required and ensures excellent customer service is provided by Zoo staff.

• Performs other related duties as requested by the Senior Director Wildlife & Science.

• Participates in the training of veterinary students and ACZM residents.

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate in veterinary medicine from a recognized college with three years of experience in a

zoo or similar setting.

• Must possess, or be able to obtain, a licence in veterinary medicine issued by the College of

Veterinarians of Ontario. Being AZCM-boarded generally allows the candidate to acquire a licence.

• Must have completed post-graduate training in zoological medicine.

• Board certification by the American College of Zoological Medicine or the equivalent is desirable.

• Must be a team player and be able to collaborate regularly and enthusiastically with colleagues;

experience with teaching is desirable.

• Must be able to communicate in an effective manner, both verbally and in writing.

• Must possess demonstrated presentation skills, along with the ability to prepare and deliver training

programs.

• Working knowledge of WHIMS legislation, Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act is desirable.