Paula Kuhfus
Radcliffe,Ia
Summary
Dedicated veterinarian with 35 years of experience delivering prompt and detailed care for small animals with varying needs and urgency. Creative problem solver, providing expert patient triage and systematic care. Empathetic professional, relating to pet owners and listening closely to concerns to determine best care protocol for individual health. Ability to work with a wide range of veterinary professionals including assistants, technicians and new graduates. Possessing a unique set of veterinary skills created over the years with private practice, corporate emergency practice and now urgent care practice. Throughout the years, interacting positively with clients and colleagues with the ability to contribute to the development of the emergent urgent care field.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Urgent Care Veterinarian
Somerset Veterinary Hospital
12.2023 - Current
- Helped improve animal wellbeing by advising owners on better care strategies and treatment options.
- Communicated with pet owners regarding pet diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
- Examined small animals to detect and determine nature of diseases or injuries.
- Established positive relationships with clients through clear communication about their pets'' healthcare needs and follow-up appointments.
- Utilized diagnostic imaging tools such as X-rays or ultrasounds for accurate identification of internal injuries or abnormalities in patients.
- Diagnosed animal diseases through examinations, observation and testing.
- Developed comprehensive treatment plans to address complex medical conditions in collaboration with clients and referring veterinarians.
- Actively participated in continuing education opportunities to stay current on advancements within the veterinary field.
- Mentored junior veterinarians in best practices for diagnosis, treatment planning, surgery, and client communication.
- Performed emergent surgeries on small animal.
- Delivered compassionate end-of-life care through thoughtful communication with pet owners and administration of humane euthanasia when necessary.
- Gathered pet health histories and symptoms to identify root cause of medical issues.
- Collaborated with veterinary technicians for efficient patient care, ensuring accurate test results and timely treatments.
- Provided effective pain management solutions using appropriate pharmaceuticals tailored to each individual patient''s needs.
- Improved patient outcomes by accurately diagnosing and treating various animal illnesses and injuries.
- Conducted thorough physical examinations of animals to assess overall health and identify potential issues.
- Maintained detailed diagnosis and treatment records for future reference.
Emergency Veterinarian
Blue Pearl Veterinary partners
05.2015 - 10.2023
- Triage patients according to priority
- Diagnose and treat all emergency cases
- Develop and implement treatment plans for critical patients
- Communicate with and manage registered veterinary technicians and students to implement treatments
- Communicate with pet owners on the status of their patients
- Perform emergency procedures such as CPR, laceration repair, wound management, enucleation, feeding tube placement, etc
- Work with veterinary software programs Cornerstone, Infinity, Instinct and Avimark
Emergency Veterinarian
Iowa State University
10.2020 - 12.2020
- I performed same duties as Blue Pearl
- I did quit voluntarily and went back to Blue Pearl after 2 ½ months of employment
Owner veterinarian
Radcliffe Animal Care Clinic
10.1995 - 02.2014
- Performed all surgeries and procedures which include innumerable spays, neuters, declaws, cystotomies, abdominal exploratories, orthopedics, caesarian sections and dentals
- Experience with surgical laser
- Implementation of in-house laboratory which included : cytology, centrifuge fecals, cbc, chemistry machines and microbiology
Associate Veterinarian
Midwest Veterinary Clinic
02.1992 - 09.1995
- Performed all duties of an associate small animal veterinarian
- Instituted in-house laboratory equipment
- Grew small animal portion of the business
Education
DVM -
Iowa State University
05.1990
B.S. - Zoology
Iowa State University
05.1986
Skills
- Emergency Care
- Collaboration with Rescue Organizations
- Establishing Urgent Care Services
- Communication Skills
- Experience with Boarded Surgeons
- Experience with Criticalists
- Experience with Internal Medicine
- Teamwork with Registered Technicians
- Teamwork with Veterinary Students
- Calm Demeanor
- Multitasking
- Prioritization
- Compassion for Clients
- Treatment Planning
- Diagnostic imaging including POCUS
- Staff mentoring
- Pet owner rapport
Websites
Activities
- Spending time with 4 grandkids
- Gardening
- Travel
- Church activities
- Cooking
- Spending time with a wonderful husband of 34 years
Timeline
Urgent Care Veterinarian
Somerset Veterinary Hospital
12.2023 - Current
Emergency Veterinarian
Iowa State University
10.2020 - 12.2020
Emergency Veterinarian
Blue Pearl Veterinary partners
05.2015 - 10.2023
Owner veterinarian
Radcliffe Animal Care Clinic
10.1995 - 02.2014
Associate Veterinarian
Midwest Veterinary Clinic
02.1992 - 09.1995
B.S. - Zoology
Iowa State University
DVM -
Iowa State University
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