This is professional and supervisory work in veterinary medicine for the Metro-Dade County Metrozoo.

An employee in this class is responsible for providing diagnostic, clinical and surgical medical services to the Metrozoo animal collection. Responsibilities include implementing an effective preventive medicine program, supervising hospital and quarantine staff, teaching veterinary preceptors, providing gross pathology services, and providing other veterinary services including neonatal care, nutritional consultation, health certification and staff education. The incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment and technical expertise in applying the principles of veterinary medicine to the care of the Metrozoo animal collection. Supervision is exercised over subordinates assisting in various phases of veterinary services activities. General direction is received from a professional superior who reviews work through personal conferences and written reports for achievement of established goals and objectives.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Develops and implements preventive medicine programs for the Metrozoo animal collection including quarantine procedures, health screenings, parasite control, neonatal care, vaccination programs, shipping procedures and dental care.

Provides diagnostic and medical care services, inpatient and outpatient medical care and treatment, and anesthesia and surgical services for the Metrozoo animal collection.

Provides restraint and immobilization services for the handling and transporting of animals.

Maintains a working clinical and surgical facility and a pharmacy of necessary drugs and medical supplies used at the zoo.

Provides gross pathology and histopathology services for animals dying at the zoo.

Provides nutritional recommendations for the animal collection and supervises the rearing of neonates being hand-raised.

Provides necessary testing and health certificates for shipping animals, and laboratory services.

Conducts educational programs for veterinary students and serves as an educational resource for zoo employees and other zoological institutions to improve zoological collections.

Supervises a hospital and quarantine staff; provides health screenings and preventive medicine programs for zoo employees.

Maintains a complete and accurate medical records database for the Metrozoo animal collection.

Provides twenty-four hour seven-day per week emergency veterinary coverage for Metrozoo.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

Extensive knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of veterinary medicine.

Thorough knowledge of wild and zoo animal medicine including immobilization techniques, surgical procedures and preventive medicine.

Thorough knowledge of the composition of the animal collection at Metrozoo.

Thorough knowledge of the organization and operation of a veterinary hospital facility in a zoological institution.

Thorough knowledge of current literature and developments in the care and transport of zoo animals.

Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.

Ability to apply the principles and practices of veterinary medicine to the care and maintenance of animals in a zoological institution.

Ability to develop and implement preventive medicine programs for the Metrozoo animal collection.

Ability to supervise subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing, to groups and individuals.

Ability to apply proper restraint and anesthesia to prevent injuries to animals and/or employees when animals must be examined or transported.

Ability to keep informed on current developments in zoological animal care and preventive medicine.