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Additional compensation may be available based on the specific requirements of the position and applicable University compensation practices. Details regarding the complete compensation package will be discussed with qualified candidates during the recruitment process.

Position Purpose

The Clinical Veterinarian provides advanced veterinary medical care and clinical oversight in support of the University's animal care, teaching, and research programs. As a key subject matter expert within Animal Care and Veterinary Services, the incumbent collaborates closely with researchers, veterinary technicians, animal care personnel, and other stakeholders to promote animal health and welfare, support the ethical and effective use of animals in research and teaching, and ensure the delivery of high-quality veterinary services.

The role is responsible for providing clinical, diagnostic, medical, and surgical care to a diverse range of animal species, while overseeing preventive medicine and health surveillance programs. The Clinical Veterinarian provides veterinary consultation and research support, including guidance on the development and use of appropriate animal models, review of animal use protocols, and participation in pre-, intra-, and post-operative procedures. The incumbent also develops and maintains site- and study-specific standard operating procedures and contributes to the continuous improvement of veterinary and animal care practices. Working in partnership with the Senior Director, Animal Care and Veterinary Services, the Clinical Veterinarian supports the implementation, delivery, and ongoing oversight of the University's veterinary care program.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

Clinical Veterinary Care

• Provide preventive, diagnostic, medical, and surgical care for a diverse range of research animal species.

• Assess, diagnose, and manage clinical cases, including complex medical and surgical conditions.

• Develop and oversee treatment, monitoring, and recovery plans.

• Provide emergency and after-hours veterinary support as required.

• Perform clinical examinations, surgical procedures, and specialized veterinary interventions.

Research Support and Consultation

• Provide veterinary consultation to researchers during study planning, protocol development, and study execution.

• Advise on anesthesia, analgesia, perioperative care, animal models, and humane endpoints.

• Support the development and refinement of research procedures to promote animal welfare and scientific integrity.

• Collaborate with investigators to address animal health concerns that may impact research outcomes.

Animal Welfare and Clinical Oversight

• Monitor animal health and welfare across research colonies and studies.

• Assess and manage animal welfare concerns and implement appropriate interventions.

• Recommend modifications to procedures or care plans based on veterinary assessment.

• Contribute to post-approval monitoring and veterinary review activities.

Education and Training

• Provide clinical guidance to veterinary technicians, animal care personnel, students, and researchers.

• Participate in the development and delivery of training programs related to animal health, surgery, anesthesia, and animal welfare.

• Mentor veterinary and technical staff in clinical techniques and best practices.

Program Development and Quality Improvement

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of veterinary and animal care programs.

• Develop and maintain clinical protocols, standards, and operating procedures.

• Participate in quality assurance initiatives, adverse event reviews, and program evaluations.

• Maintain comprehensive and accurate medical records and clinical documentation.

What you will bring:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent veterinary degree 

• Active license with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) to practice veterinary medicine in Ontario 

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in laboratory animal medicine, or equivalent specialized training and clinical experience, including:

• completion of a recognized residency in laboratory animal medicine; or

• demonstrated substantial clinical rotations, internships, externships or other structured training in laboratory animal medicine as part of a DVM program or post-graduate training.

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience supervising or managing personnel is an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge and clinical experience in laboratory animal medicine, including laboratory animal diseases and pathology, animal model development, anesthesia and analgesia, perioperative care, and surgical procedures.

• The incumbent must have strong initiative and be able to resolve challenges on his/her own, in addition to being an excellent team player.  

• Experience with large and small animal models desirable

• Experience in the care of aquatic and reptile species desirable

• The incumbent should be conversant with surgical procedures as defined in approved animal use protocols

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills as well as a service-oriented approach are essential. The position requires an ongoing interface with Principal Investigators and their laboratory staff. 

• The applicant must be very knowledgeable with regard to the Animals for Research Act as well as the guidelines and policies of the Canadian Council on Animal Care

• Ability to work after hours on weekends and statutory holidays and to be on a rotating on-call schedule for evenings, weekends and holiday coverage.

• Bilingualism – French and English (spoken and written).

Key Competencies at uOttawa:
Here are the required competencies for all or our employees at uOttawa: 

Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.
Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self-starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever it is possible.
Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs. This implies anticipating and identifying the needs of internal and external clients and finding solutions on how to meet them.
Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s). Accept and give constructive feedback. Able to adjust own behaviour to reach the goals of the team.

The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research and teaching excellence. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier-free work environment. The University is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodation during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes. Applicants with disabilities may contact [email protected] to communicate the accommodation need. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Note: if this is a union position: The hiring process will be governed by the current collective agreement related to the union affiliation noted above; you can click here to find out more.

If this is a front-line position with responsibilities to interact with students, selected candidates must be rated at the Low Advanced proficiency level or higher for both oral comprehension and reading comprehension in their second official language. The rating is determined by a proficiency test designed by the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.