This 1-year fellowship position is for a graduate veterinarian who is pursuing board certification in the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) or the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP – Avian, Reptile/Amphibian or Exotic Companion Mammal). This fellowship position includes both veterinary and scholarly responsibilities. As part of the clinical team at Avian and Exotic Veterinary Care (AEVC), this position contributes to veterinary care of privately-owned avian and exotic patients, with less frequent care of wildlife, facility-owned and confiscated avian and exotic patients. Clinical duties encompass comprehensive patient care management, which includes physical examination, microscopic examinations (cytologic, microbiologic, parasitologic), development of diagnostic/treatment plans, gross postmortem examinations, maintenance of medical records, and development/communication of recommendations including preventative medicine, zoonotic disease prevention and management, parasite control, animal housing and animal shipment. Clinical work may also be required in the Portland metropolitan area away from AEVC. Depending on the Veterinary Fellow’s professional development goals, sample collection for research projects may occur as well as participation in field activities. The Veterinary Fellow’s tasks will be divided between approximately 75% clinical duties and 25% scholarly activities, which will include monthly topic rounds (zoological companion animal based) and may include preparation of manuscripts for publication. Scholarly activity time may include blocks of time off, for completion of projects at other facilities. Attendance of annual avian/exotics veterinary conferences is encouraged and a continuing education allowance is provided to facilitate travel for these, as well as to cover the expenses of Oregon veterinary licensure and a DEA controlled substances registration. An ACZM Diplomate (Dr. Lisa Harrenstien) and an ABVP-Avian residency trained veterinarian (Rebecca Mattucks) are on staff at AEVC and will give on-site guidance for the Veterinary Fellow. Upon successful completion of the fellowship year, the Veterinary Fellow may be considered for full-time employment at AEVC as an associate veterinarian.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
• Provide veterinary medical, surgical, and dental care for all of AEVC’s patients during regular work hours. Respond in a timely manner to clinic communications by email, phone and text message. Complete animal medical records in a timely manner. Maintain client communications and staff communications describing planned and provided care.
• Contribute to and participate in ongoing training for AEVC staff as required to maintain technical competencies.
• Contribute to and participate in training of private caregivers for avian and exotic patients.
• Actively pursue literature searches and continuing education opportunities relevant to avian and exotic animal medicine.
• Actively pursue publication of at least one scientific manuscript as primary author during the fellowship year.
• Foster good relations with clients, area veterinarians and animal facilities, trainee veterinary students, veterinary technology students and fellow staff by promoting positive attitudes, good will, cooperation, and providing high standards of care.
• Comply with all AEVC policies, procedures, and programs.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
COMPENSATION/BENEFITS:
The offered compensation/benefits package includes a salary wage of $44,000/year, plus health/dental insurance, paid time off, CE fee allowance, veterinary licensure and DEA fees, uniform allowance, pet care discounts, flexible scheduling to accommodate personal obligations, and access to the support provided by our communications coach. The effective wage of salary plus benefits equals over $28/hour.
ABOUT AEVC:
AEVC opened in northeast Portland in April 2016 and is Oregon’s only specialist-level avian and exotics private practice. AEVC’s patients include approximately 35% birds, 24% reptiles/amphibians, 40% mammals, and 1% fish/invertebrates, with no domestic dogs or cats seen as patients. Practice capabilities and equipment include Vimago HDVI CT scanning, digital radiography, rigid endoscopy, ultrasonography (up to 15MHz), 90 watt Ellman radioscalpel/cautery, and dentistry including rabbits and rodents. During COVID distancing phases, outdoor house-call appointments for flocks, ponds and bee hives are offered in addition to our in-clinic appointments. After-hours emergency appointments are not accepted. Appointments are seen 7 days a week. AEVC’s founder and owner is Dr. Lisa Harrenstien, who is a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine and a graduate of the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. AEVC’s associate veterinarian is Dr. Rebecca Mattucks, who is a graduate of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. Our clinic values are compassion, competency, education, integrity and respect. AEVC’s website is www.avianexoticvetcare.com .
EDUCATION/TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:
1) Possession of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or equivalent) degree.
2) One year or more of post-DVM clinical experience.
3) Active interest in becoming board certified via ACZM or ABVP.
4) Possession of an active Oregon veterinary license, obtained within 1 month after work start date.
5) Possession of a current DEA controlled substances registration within 1 month after work start date.
6) USDA Category 2 Accreditation for use in Oregon, obtained within 1 month after work start date.
7) Possession of a valid Oregon or Washington driver’s license within 1 month after work start date.
PREFERRED EDUCATION/TRAINING QUALIFICATIONS:
1) Completion of an avian/exotics internship at a private practice or university.
2) Competency with computer-based practice management software, especially AVImark.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Ability to be organized, self-motivated and independent, with exceptional time management skills.
• Possesses a strong desire to complete projects.
• Possesses excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with clients, fellow staff and external stakeholders.
• Possesses computer skills including Google applications, Excel, Word, and database programs.
• Has knowledge of basic research methods and data collection techniques.
• Possesses a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Is comfortable with an everchanging/dynamic workplace and situation-dependent expectations.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The successful applicant must have the ability to see including differentiation of red and green colors, hear, smell, move about, stoop, kneel, crouch, use arms and hands, climb indoor ladders, handle objects, tools and controls, stand for several hours and sit for several hours. The successful applicant must be able to lift and move 30 pounds. The successful applicant must be willing and able to work with and around large, wild animals as well as very small animals.
If interested in this Veterinary Fellowship position, please email Dr. Lisa Harrenstien at AEVC.DrLisa@gmail.com with the subject line “veterinary fellowship.” In that email, please describe why you are an excellent candidate for this position, and include your curriculum vitae, as well as names and contact information for three professional references.