Adoptions Veterinary Assistant

Summary :

Are you passionate about delivering high-quality care to animals in need and do you thrive in a fast-paced team-based environment The position of Adoptions Veterinary Assistant at the ASPCA may be right for you. The Adoptions Veterinary Assistant (AVA) is a key member of the medical team at our Adoption Center. The AVAs provide compassionate care as well as assists our veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians. The AVA works closely with other medical team members to facilitate the delivery of veterinary care and to communicate information regarding animals health status to staff volunteers and members of the public.

Who We Are :

The Adoption Center provides intake holistic care including medical and behavioral support and outcomes for animals in New York City that need us most.

Our population consists of five groups of animals :

• Animal victims of cruelty and neglect brought to us by the NYPD
• Animals brought to us through our Community Engagement team
• Underage kittens and other medically compromised stray animals
• Animals surrendered by their owners and in need of adoption into new homes
• Animals transferred in from shelter / rescue partners

The Adoption Center team utilizes and develops best practices for providing care and innovative placement strategies for these specialized populations. All medical care is provided within the parameters of the Adoption Centers shelter medicine protocols and aligned with ASPCA One Fund guidelines. To succeed in this role the AVA will be a highly conscientious team player dedicated to delivering quality compassionate care and assisting the medical team and the larger adoptions team in helping animals move successfully to new homes.

What Youll Do :

The AVA reports directly to the Senior Manager of Medical Operations. The AVAs participation includes but is not limited to assisting in examinations treatments procedures and monitoring of all cats and dogs utilizing low-stress handling guidelines ASPCA policies and protocols and shelter medicine best practices. The AVA ensures animals physical and behavioral needs are met providing animal care that includes husbandry tasks observation and reporting of signs of illness or injury record-keeping and data entry and preparation and administration of a variety of medications.

Where and When Youll Work :

What Youll Get : Compensation :

The starting pay rate for this role is $24.00 hourly and falls under a collective bargaining agreement.

Benefits :

At the ASPCA you dont have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include but are not limited to :

Responsibilities :

Nursing Care and Veterinary Support (60%)

Utilize knowledge of veterinary medical concepts and terminology to always provide compassionate and quality patient care using low-stress handling techniques

Closely observe animals for signs of illness injury and / or poor welfare.

Document and communicate this information on monitoring sheets in patient medical records and / or directly to licensed personnel. This includes and not limited to DOH exist exams post-op rechecks stability checks and other observations asked of you by your manager.

Ensure accurate and timely data entry to animals medical records including transfer of information from other ASPCA departments software systems and diagnostic test results from outside laboratories

Prepare samples for submission to outside laboratories and follow-up as needed

Handle and restrain animals for medical procedures utilizing the least-restraint and lowest-stress techniques possible

Support sedated examinations and other minor procedures including handling injections providing assistance to LVTs and veterinarians during the process and monitoring during recovery

Maintain an efficient flow of animals throughout the shelter

Feed and medicate patients following veterinarian instructions and standard operating procedures

Coach and support direct care staff to best meet the medical needs of the animals in our care including medication administration medical treatment and monitoring

Assist with and / or perform humane euthanasia under the supervision of staff veterinarians

Assist in the preparation of health certificates and copying of medical records

Identify animals in need of grooming including but not limited to those animals who are matted or whose coats are soiled; request or complete bathing and grooming procedures as needed

Transport animals (using low-stress techniques) and their medical records within ASPCA departments for necessary care including but not limited to transfers to the ASPCA Animal Hospital and / or Community Medicine

Update animals statuses in Adoption Center electronic medical records when necessary including but not limited to making animals available for placement per protocol or veterinary directives

Understand multiple modalities of electronic or written medical records or invoices to be able to articulate animals medical needs or concerns

Compassionately explain information veterinarians have documented about an animals condition to other Adoption Center staff members volunteers foster caregivers and adopters with easily understood language; create Adoption and Foster Medical Discharges under the direction of veterinarians or licensed veterinary technicians

Be an active member of the Medical Team on daily Medical-Behavior-Sheltering (MBS) rounds and in staff meetings and training sessions.

Learn and follow Adoption Center philosophy procedures and protocols

Housekeeping and Maintenance (40%)

Ensure that animals are kept in comfortable and sanitary conditions

Ensure that exam rooms and medical staff work areas are kept clean and orderly and are stocked and ready for use

Make certain the entire Adoption Center is kept extremely clean through the day

Clean and disinfect kennels equipment and facility while utilizing appropriate PPE

Follow all departmental PPE and cleaning protocols

Work in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies and requirements

Assist in keeping supplies stocked by noting when supplies are running low; taking inventory and stocking supplies as needed

Advise supervisor of any conditions that are unsafe including unrecognized hazards or infractions of safety rules

Other tasks as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications :

Knowledge of basic animal care handling and disease recognition; familiarity with veterinary hospital protocols and procedures

Able to understand and communicate using veterinary medical terminology

Able to provide appropriate care and handling for sick injured fearful fractious and / or aggressive cats and dogs

Low-stress animal handling and restraint skills

Customer service skills

Able to quickly adjust focus and shift priorities based on Adoption Center and patient needs

Strong organizational skills and a high level of attention to detail

Able to maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn implement and teach new protocols

Ensure and maintain high quality standard of care work ethic and performance; work independently without supervision and as part of a team

Work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions; demonstrate flexibility with work assignments and unique tasks

Communicate with team members successfully and courteously during in-person phone and email conversations

Exhibit professionalism with stressful time-sensitive and urgent situations

Basic computer skills including Excel Microsoft Office and email; familiarity with PetPoint or other shelter software systems a plus.

Able to lift up to 40 pounds walk bend stand and reach constantly throughout at least a minimum 8 hour work day

Exemplifies the ASPCAs Core Values :

Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals

Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes

Believes in Team that we are stronger together

Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible

Focuses on Impact specifically making change for animals

Education and Work Experience

High School Diploma or equivalent

Minimum of 2-3 years prior animal handling / veterinary experience

Experience working in an animal shelter preferred

Fear Free certified or obtained within 60 days of employment

Qualifications :

See above for qualifications details.

Language :

English (Required) Spanish

Education and Work Experience :

High School Diploma (Required)

Eligible for certification as a euthanasia technician in New York State Experience working in an animal shelter preferred Fear Free certified or obtained within 60 days of employment Minimum of 2-3 years prior animal handling / veterinary experience

Key Skills

Veterinary Experience,Animal Care,Basic Math,Animal Husbandry,Veterinary Assistant,Veterinary Technician Experience,Vital Signs Experience,Animal Handling,Animal Restraint,Pet Care,Medical Imaging,Medication Administration

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1