JOB TITLE: VETERINARY MEDICAL FIELD OFFICER

JOB CODE: 53220

DEFINITION: This is professional veterinary field work in the Department of Agriculture.

An employee in this job performs veterinary work to ensure the health and safety of animals, poultry, and race horses by administering departmental programs and implementing laws and regulations. Work includes implementing animal and poultry disease control programs or providing equine veterinary oversight in thoroughbred or standardbred regulatory medicine at racing facilities. Work may involve supervision of professional and support staff. Work is performed independently and in accordance with departmental policies and professional veterinary medicine practices and is reviewed by an administrative supervisor through conferences and reports.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

• Animal and poultry disease program veterinarians administer laws, regulations, and regulatory programs to provide animal disease surveillance and control which includes providing supervision and oversight for disease control and eradication services, contacting animal and poultry owners and organizations to increase compliance with animal health programs, providing veterinary medical advice, and liaising with veterinary practitioners to ensure consistency in application of rules and regulations.

 • Equine regulatory veterinarians determine the soundness of horses to participate in races and oversee horseracing integrity programs which include supervising the Bleeder Medication Program and all test barn activities; conducting pre-race lameness exams to determine if horses are physically fit to race; diagnosing exercise induced pulmonary bleeding; and examining, evaluating, and rendering emergency treatment for severe race injuries.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Supervises the animal and poultry disease control and eradication program in an assigned area of the state, and assigns and reviews the work of staff.

• Conducts epidemiological investigations of animal and poultry disease outbreaks to determine the source and spread of the disease.

• Quarantines diseased, exposed, or suspect animals and birds.

• Inspects health certificates, livestock auctions, and animal and poultry dealer records, and monitors animal and poultry production and marketing activities regulated by the department to ensure animal and poultry health.

• Contacts herd owners and organizations to explain and promote animal and poultry health programs.

• Liaises with private veterinary practitioners regarding department animal and poultry health programs.

• Prepares surveys and reports of disease prevalence.

• Conducts testing of animals and poultry to detect the presence of diseases in accordance with departmental regulations.

• Supervises test barn activities at an assigned race track including the collection and processing of blood and urine samples and all related recordkeeping.

• Conducts pre-race exams of horses participating in races and determines if horses are physically fit to compete.

• Determines and notifies track judges and stewards of horses to be withdrawn from a race when physically unfit to compete and maintains documentation of horses deemed not suitable for racing.

• Identifies and diagnoses horses that suffer from exercise induced pulmonary bleeding and supervises the Lasix administration program.

• Provides emergency treatment and first aid to horses that break down, collapse, or suffer injury on the track during racing hours.

• Examines and evaluates horses suffering severe racing injuries prior to euthanasia, conducts a gross pathological examination, and obtains blood samples.

• Collects serum samples and supervises staff in collecting and packaging urine samples.

• Supervises and monitors control of horses post-race and chain of custody for test barn samples.

• Operates motor vehicles.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of veterinary medicine.

• Knowledge of domestic animals and poultry and the diseases which affect them.

• Knowledge of the symptoms, causes, and diagnostic protocols of equine lameness.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to analyze and interpret numerical data.

• Ability to analyze and interpret written information.

• Ability to prepare and present reports.

• Ability to diagnose and treat animals and birds.

• Ability to detect and evaluate lameness in horses.

• Ability to operate motor vehicles.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• One year of professional experience as a veterinarian and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or a Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD) from an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited college or university.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require possession of an active license to practice veterinary medicine as issued by a State Board of Veterinary Medicine.

• All employees must obtain an active license to practice veterinary medicine issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Veterinary Medicine within six months of hire.

• All positions must obtain United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Category II Accreditation within six months of hire.

• Certain positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.