Medical Director

Overview

Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, is hiring for a Medical Director. The Medical Director advances Lollypop Farm’s lifesaving efforts by leading our veterinary operations and guiding our dynamic team. This role provides medical oversight for all clinical programs for shelter animals and pets in the community, ensures the delivery of high-quality veterinary care, and fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and respect. This role guides medical protocols and supports the organization’s operational and financial goals.

Why Choose Rochester, New York?

Nestled between Lake Ontario and Finger Lakes Wine Country in Western New York, the Rochester region is an attractive place to call home. Rochester boasts the architecture, diversity, education, arts and culture, nightlife, restaurants, recreation and sports of a much larger city, but the affordable cost of living, short commutes, community, and hospitality of a small town.  The area also offers abundant 4-season outdoor recreation among the picturesque trails, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and rolling hills. Our community is a vibrant treasure that we think you’ll want to call home!

Essential Job Duties:

Medical Leadership and Team Development:

• Develop, implement, and monitor shelter medicine programs and protocols that achieve and maintain a high standard of patient. Stay up to date on emerging trends and best practices in shelter medicine.
• Provide direct management and support to staff Veterinarians, Veterinary Interns/Externs, volunteer Veterinarians, and the Clinic Operations Manager, including guidance on workflow, communication, and conflict resolution. Ensure expectations are clear, concerns are addressed promptly, and a collaborative, respectful working environment is maintained.
• Collaborate with the Clinic Operations Manager to ensure adequate clinic staffing, training, performance, and compliance.
• Collaborate with the COO and operations teams to expand access to veterinary care programs for the community.
• Adhere to DEA requirements, state regulations and organization policies for controlled drugs. Responsibly stewards drug and supply inventory. 
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, professional development, accountability, and teamwork.
• Build strong professional relationships with lead shelter veterinarians and shelter leadership teams in peer organizations, and veterinarians in the broader community. Engage in networking, knowledge sharing, and collaborative initiatives that advance best practices and strengthen community wide animal welfare efforts.

Surgical and Clinical Duties:

• Provide timely, practical, high-quality veterinary  care and surgical services for shelter animals and pets in the community in accordance with Lollypop Farm protocols, shelter medicine best practices, and Fear Free standards.
• Monitor the health and welfare of the shelter population, identifying potential disease outbreaks, and implementing appropriate control measures.
• Perform  surgical procedures on a regular basis including HQHV spay/neuter, dentistry, and various soft tissue and orthopedic procedures. Perform veterinary medical functions including examination and treatment of shelter and owned animals. 
• Perform regular medical rounds and participate in population management rounds to assess and guide care for shelter animals.
• Provide emergency care to injured or sick animals.
• Maintain thorough, high quality veterinary records in shelter and clinic software, documenting all exam findings, test results, and treatments.
• Provide wellness services to community pets through the Mobile Veterinary Clinic, community outreach events, and vaccine clinics.
• Issue health certificates for animals being transported across state lines.
• Conduct forensic necropsies and maintain accurate chain of custody and evidence disposition records. Provide expert      testimony in court.
• Participate in euthanasia decision-making and perform euthanasia as needed.
• Work with partner veterinary clinics/hospitals as needed, including referrals for advanced care.

Operational and Strategic Leadership:

• Collaborate with organization leadership to set and meet veterinary clinic goals and budgets.
• Bring ethical issues forward for discussion.
• Identify opportunities for improved safety, efficiency, impact, and animal outcomes.
• Attend and participate in leadership meetings.
• Represent the organization in community outreach events, professional conferences, and partnerships as needed.
• Responsibly steward Lollypop Farm assets.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with the company’s policies and applicable state and federal laws.
• Observes all safety rules and regulations for self and others.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Education & Experience: DVM, VMD or equivalent Doctoral Veterinary degree with license to practice in New York State or ability to obtain by date of hire. 5+ years of experience practicing veterinary medicine in a full-service, high-volume environment. 5+ years of experience managing and leading teams. Demonstrated excellent surgical skills required. Experience working with exotic and large animals is preferred. Must hold a current DEA license or have the ability to obtain DEA license within 3 months of hire. Must obtain a USDA certification within 1 year of hire. Must complete the Fear Free® Veterinary certification (approximately 9 hours) within 3 months of hire.

Skills: Commitment to animal welfare and understanding of shelter medicine and population health. Skilled in performing a high volume of spay and neuter surgeries, including on pediatric patients. Ability to perform necessary surgeries and medical      treatments in accordance with accepted professional standards. Experience in conducting forensic necropsies. Experience in providing expert testimony in court preferred. Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Bilingual skills      (Spanish/English) a plus but not required. Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment in a high-volume shelter.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position during shift, move throughout the building and move weight up to 50 pounds. Ability to perform physical tasks associated with veterinary work. Frequently required to communicate with others. Occasionally required to move excessive weight.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of this position.

Must Align with the Company Mission, Vision and Core Values:

Mission: Together with our community, we better the lives of animals through justice, prevention, and life-saving care.

Vision: A just and compassionate world for all animals.

Core Values: We embrace and recognize that Lollypop Farm donors are the heroes of our work – voluntarily offering time or money, no matter the amount – to support our mission.  Together, our core values unify and guide us to provide the best service to the animals, our community, our organization and ourselves.

• Compassion: We show empathy and sympathy for what people and animals are experiencing through positive and constructive actions. 
• Communication: We exchange thoughts, feelings, and ideas in pursuit of mutually-accepted goals.
• Flexibility: We are willing and comfortable adapting to new circumstances and conditions.
• Commitment: We are steadfast in our efforts to achieve our mission.
• Teamwork: We collaborate and communicate to achieve common goals, understanding that the organization thrives when unified.
• Integrity: We act with honor, fairness, and respect for animals, individuals, the organization, and our community.
• Respect: We are considerate and show professional regard for all aspects of our work.

Commitment to Diversity

At Lollypop Farm, we believe that people are our greatest strength.  We are united by our mission - Together with our community, we better the lives of animals through justice, prevention, and lifesaving care.  Our values inspire us to promote and support a diverse and equitable environment of mutual respect where all staff, volunteers, and community members feel a sense of inclusion and belonging. 

EOE/ADA