Job Description

Veterinary Toxicologist, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center - ASPCA at ASPCA summary:

As a Veterinary Toxicologist at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, I manage and consult on cases involving animals potentially exposed to harmful substances. This role requires extensive toxicology knowledge and the ability to assist veterinarians and pet owners, while also providing educational support and contributing to toxicology research. The position promotes animal welfare through advocacy and preventative measures, ensuring a commitment to the health and safety of animals nationwide.

Summary:

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), is the leading animal poison control call center in the nation. The APCC’s professional team supports veterinarians and pet owners 24/7 using a proprietary database containing over four million cases. The APCC is committed to protecting and improving the lives of animals through promotion of poison prevention and publication of new findings. The APCC handles over 400,000 calls annually, providing assistance to hundreds of thousands of pets each year.

The Consulting Veterinarian in Clinical Toxicology (CVCT) systematically gains toxicology knowledge through the APCC’s staged training and mentoring process. The CVCT plays a critical role at the APCC managing cases regarding animals that have been exposed to potentially dangerous substances. The environment is fast paced, challenging, and loaded with support to help achieve success. The person in this position shares our expertise with veterinarians, animal owners, and others (e.g., law enforcement, etc.) who are involved in cases. In addition, the CVCT provides consultation for support staff, advising them in managing APCC cases. The CVCT participates in other projects and events that are established to support APCC work, further education, and enhance communication within the ASPCA.

The ASPCA supports our staff with career development, and the CVCT has multiple potential career paths including Senior CVCT, People Manager, Toxicologist, Senior Toxicologist, and others. CVCTs may be eligible to sit for the American Board of Toxicology exam after 3 years and the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology exam after 3 years.

This is a regional remote position. This position is open to all U.S. based candidates who reside in or are open to relocating within 350 miles of the ASPCA Office in Champaign, IL for the duration of employment, and be available for travel to Champaign, IL.

In addition, candidates must be available for travel to Champaign, IL for two weeks of training during the first month of employment and then for occasional additional training and events throughout the duration of employment. Relocation assistance will be offered to candidates who live outside of the 350-mile radius and are willing to relocate.

Additional Work Benefits:

• Work/life balance:
  • Flexibility in schedule after the 3-month training period, including the option of five 8-hour shifts or four 10-hour shifts
  • Paid vacation, sick, and personal time
  • Continuing education days and allowance
  • Ten paid holidays/floating holidays
  • A schedule that includes half-weekends off
  • Comprehensive, low-cost benefits package
• Growth opportunities: the ASPCA has robust professional development programs to help you grow as a veterinarian and a leader
• Employment at APCC is considered qualifying toxicology work experience for the American Board of Toxicology and the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology
• Support: we are one of the largest and most impactful animal welfare organizations in the world, so you will always have a strong team to lean on and provide you support
• Qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program

Schedule:

• Once proficiently trained, this position may work a full overnight shift approximately 3-5 times per year or a partial overnight shift 6-10 times per year to cover vacations for our overnight staff. We provide the option of a full overnight shift (10:00p – 6:00a) and partial overnight shifts (4:00a – 12:00p or 8:00p – 4:00a) or a mix of the two.
• Schedules are subject to change at the sole discretion of the ASPCA.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Case Management (90%)

• Professionally manage cases initiated by telephone from practicing veterinarians, animal owners and others, involving animals that have been potentially exposed to deleterious agents or diseases.
• Obtain complete case histories and provide detailed and accurate diagnostic and treatment recommendations appropriate to the professional level of the caller and based on established APCC protocols. 
• Enter (type-in) information conveyed during consultations, into the electronic record, in sufficient detail as to provide a clear understanding of what transpired.
• Develop appropriate risk and rule out assessments based on the exposure history and clinical findings. Provide additional differential diagnoses in those cases where it is determined that the original agent might not be or is not the agent responsible for the clinical findings.
• Provide up-to-date treatment recommendations, including assisting veterinarian callers with critical care procedures including (but not limited to) interpretation of clinical laboratory results, institution of appropriate fluid therapy, establishment of fluid administration rates, and pain management.
• Consult with both on-site and off-site experts in more complicated cases. 
• Advise support staff (veterinary technicians and assistants) in the management of cases per established APCC protocols and through established veterinary knowledge.
• Maintain quality in the case record and medical proficiency.
• Receive and implement feedback from regular quality assessments by the Director of Quality Assurance, Medical Director, direct manager, and other leaders. 
• Achieve efficiency and daily case volume, reaching standardized calls per hour goals as required for specific levels of training tenure.
• Achieve quality and customer service-related goals as defined, exemplifying our core values and behavioral competencies.
• May be assigned to other duties as necessary.

Training, Professional Development, and Supporting Opportunities (up to 10%)

• Actively participate in on-site, off-site, and virtual training, including attendance at weekly veterinarian rounds.
• Develop protocols for the medical library database.
• Publish approved case reports or other educational documents in peer-reviewed and lay journals or other media as requested.
• Contribute to APCC blog posts on toxicology related topics.
• Provide staff training lectures and participate in the staff mentorship program.
• Provide continuing education to the veterinary community through APCC webinars and external conferences.

Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
• Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
• Seeks to Elevate other and reimagine what is possible
• Focuses on Impact , specifically making change for animals

Education and Work Experience

• Graduate of accredited veterinary college (DVM, VMD) or graduate of foreign veterinary college with ECFVG or PAVE certification, or equivalent.
• An advanced degree or certification in toxicology or related area is beneficial.
• Must currently hold veterinary license from any U.S. state.
• Must be eligible for and able to obtain an active Illinois state veterinary license within one year of hire.
• 1 year of clinical experience.
• Emergency facility work experience preferred.
• Veterinary medical internship experience preferred.

Additional Information

• Must have solid understanding of veterinary clinical medicine and a strong interest in toxicology.
• Veterinarian license credentials (required) in the state of residence, i.e., DVM, VMD. Must obtain State of Illinois veterinary license credential within one year of hire.
• This is a regional remote position. Candidate must reside within or be open to relocating within 350 miles of the ASPCA Midwest Office in Champaign, IL for the duration of employment. 
• This position requires occasional on-site training and support. In the first year, training on site requires 2 full weeks in Champaign, IL. Additional travel will be required for follow up training and group activities not to exceed 10%. After year 1, team members may be requested to attend onsite training and team building yearly. 

Qualifications:

• Ability to act and react to emergency and/or challenging situations in a compassionate and consistent manner.
• Ability to apply sound reasoning and decision-making.
• Ability to communicate effectively with concerned, emotional, and worried people via telephone.
• Ability to de-escalate and maintain a professional demeanor during difficult or escalated interactions.
• Ability to distinguish different auditory tones.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and the public.
• Ability to remain calm under challenging circumstances.
• Display excellent active listening skills and the ability to quickly develop a rapport with callers over the phone.
• Distraction-free, dedicated work environment.
• Enthusiasm for leading amidst complexity and change.
• Must be comfortable being stationary, typing, and working at a desk for 8 or more hours.
• Must be detail oriented.
• Must be proficient in math and dosage calculation comprehension.
• Must be proficient with technology and be able to work with multiple databases and programs simultaneously in a rapid manner.
• Must display excellent internal and external customer service skills.
• Must have knowledge of and experience with PCs, basic office and Windows software, e-mail and Internet searches.
• Must interact effectively with others and exercise good judgment when dealing with people in sensitive situations.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong motivation to provide a high standard of care is essential.

Education and Work Experience:

DVM or VMD (Required)

Language:

English (Required)

Compensation and Benefits:

The applicable target hiring range for this remote role is based on where the employee works, which for remote roles is the employee’s primary location of residence, and its respective cost of labor. We have organized the U.S. varying costs of labor index into three geographic zones. As a point of reference, we’ve included our ASPCA locations by geographic zone to illustrate what the hiring range would be in each of the following areas.

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary ranges for this role are set forth below and may be modified in the future. 

• Zone 1 ( For example, Champaign, IL; Union, MO;): $98,500 – 105,500
• Zone 2 ( For example, Chicago, IL ): $108,500 - $115,500
  • For questions regarding our regional zone locations and other locations not found on the list, please send an email to Careers@aspca.org for more information.
• For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website . Staff in this role may be eligible for additional pay such as shift differential, per diem, or a spot bonus.

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Qualifications:

Veterinarian License - Other

Language:

English (Required), Spanish

Education and Work Experience:

DVM (Required)

Our EEO Policy:

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

Applicants that are residents of Colorado: Per CO Senate Bill 23-058, we cannot generally request or require any age-related information (i.e., age, DOB, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution) on an initial employment application; this includes any age-related inquiries in the initial interview. We are permitted to require/request additional application materials; if those materials contain any age-related information, an applicant may redact the information before submitting an initial employment application.

Keywords:

Veterinary Toxicologist, animal poison control, toxicology, veterinary medicine, pet health, animal welfare, consulting veterinarian, emergency veterinary care, toxicity prevention, veterinary education

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Holiday work, Full time, Work experience placement, Internship, Local area, Remote job, Relocation, Relocation package, Shift work, Night shift,

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