Primary Purposes and Functions

• The Clinical Veterinarian is responsible for providing additional veterinary oversight for the care and use of animals at the De Soto, KS research facility and other locations as needed.  They will be responsible for ensuring that procedures are humane, legal, ethical, and efficient.  Responsibilities also include training and potential membership on the IACUC.

• The Clinical Veterinarian will also support the Attending Veterinarian with management of the clinical research facilities and staff.  Management duties include but are not limited to: supervising direct reports, dotted line oversight of animal caretakers, farm oversight, equipment oversight, etc.   The Clinical veterinarian will need a strong sense of ownership and accountability when it comes to managing employees and animal care.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with on- and off-site clinical studies for product licensure, including but not limited to advice on clinical procedures (such as vaccination, challenge, sampling, clinical observations, necropsy and surgery), collecting data, training and supervising technicians and staff. Have excellent motivation skills and empathy to help mentor direct reports. Conduct necropsy, submit samples for laboratory testing, and prepare reports for animals that die during a study.  Conduct in-house vaccine studies for Marketing/Technical Services Assist in strategic planning of study development, study labor, and study innovation with study investigators.

• 50% Act as one of the institution's licensed animal care providers and oversee implementation of procedures and policies to ensure animal welfare.  Conduct vendor surveillance, as appropriate. 

• 20% Develop and conduct training for R&D technical staff in animal care and usage.

• 10% Serve as officer or alternate member on the IACUC.  Attend IACUC review and Animal Services/Research Facility meetings with R&D.  Oversee company animal adoption program, as appropriate.

• 10% Maintain current knowledge of diseases and disease prevention practices for companion animal and livestock species.

• 5% Safety - Ensure that all animal areas conform to company safety and bio-safety standards.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent required.

• Must possess valid Kansas veterinary license or be able to obtain licensure within 60 days of hire.

• Must have Category II USDA Accreditation or be able to obtain shortly after obtaining Kansas Licensure.

• Priority will be given to candidates with strong clinical experience (including but not limited to research and private practice).  2-5 years clinical experience preferred.  Experience with both companion animal and livestock preferred. Experience with pocket pet or lab animal species is a plus.

• Individual with advanced graduate degrees in disease research is a plus. 

• Good interpersonal, communication (both written and oral) and organizational skills are essential. 

• Must be able to work in a team environment. 

• Knowledge of governmental regulations, including USDA licensure and Animal Welfare Act.

Additional Information

• Individual must be physically capable of handling, examining, and treating animals of all species.

About Merck Animal Health

Our customers have always known that they can depend on Merck Animal Health for more than just medicines. They count on Merck Animal Health for information, technologies and veterinary services that truly advance animal healthcare. It is our heritage and our mission. Our core values are driven by a desire to be visionary in our thinking, and ever ready to respond to our dynamic industry. By collaborating closely with each other and our customers, we build strong partnerships in an effort to improve the health of animals around the world. We approach our work every day with a deep sense of responsibility – to our customers, consumers, animals, society and the planet.

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