Adoptions Veterinary Assistant

ASPCA • New York, NY

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Adoptions Veterinary Assistant (AVA) is a key member of the medical team at the ASPCA Adoption Center, providing compassionate care to animals and assisting veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians. The AVA works with medical and adoption team members to facilitate veterinary care and communicate information about animals’ health to staff, volunteers, and members of the public.

The Adoption Center provides intake, holistic care—including medical and behavioral support—and outcomes for animals in New York City. Its population includes animals rescued from cruelty and neglect, animals referred through community engagement, underage kittens and medically compromised strays, owner-surrendered animals, and animals transferred from shelter and rescue partners. Care follows the center’s shelter medicine protocols and ASPCA One Fund guidelines.

Reporting directly to the Senior Manager of Medical Operations, the AVA assists with examinations, treatments, procedures, and monitoring of cats and dogs using low-stress handling, ASPCA policies and protocols, and shelter medicine best practices. The role also supports animals’ physical and behavioral needs through husbandry, observation and reporting, medical recordkeeping and data entry, and preparation and administration of medications.

This is an on-site role at the ASPCA 92nd Street Adoption Center in New York, NY. The starting pay rate is $24.00 per hour and the position falls under a collective bargaining agreement.

Requirements

• Knowledge of basic animal care, handling, and disease recognition, and familiarity with veterinary hospital protocols and procedures.
• Ability to understand and communicate using veterinary medical terminology.
• Ability to appropriately care for and handle sick, injured, fearful, fractious, or aggressive cats and dogs.
• Low-stress animal handling and restraint skills.
• Customer service skills.
• Ability to adjust focus and shift priorities quickly according to Adoption Center and patient needs.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Open-mindedness about changes and willingness to learn, implement, and teach new protocols.
• Ability to maintain high standards of care, work ethic, and performance; work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions and be flexible with assignments and unique tasks.
• Ability to communicate successfully and courteously in person, by phone, and by email.
• Professionalism in stressful, time-sensitive, and urgent situations.
• Basic computer skills, including Excel, Microsoft Office, and email.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and walk, bend, stand, and reach constantly during at least an eight-hour workday.
• Ability to exemplify ASPCA core values and behavioral competencies.
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience; high school diploma is listed as required.
• At least 2 years of prior animal-handling or veterinary experience; the posting also specifies a minimum of 2–3 years.
• Eligible for certification as a euthanasia technician in New York State.
• English language proficiency required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in an animal shelter.
• Fear Free® certification, or willingness to obtain it within 60 days of employment.
• Familiarity with PetPoint or other shelter software systems.
• Spanish language ability.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate, quality patient care using veterinary medical knowledge and low-stress handling techniques.
• Observe animals for signs of illness, injury, or poor welfare and document and communicate findings to licensed personnel or in medical records and monitoring sheets.
• Enter information accurately and promptly in animals’ medical records, including information from other ASPCA systems and outside diagnostic laboratories.
• Prepare samples for outside laboratories and follow up as needed.
• Handle and restrain animals using least-restraint, lowest-stress techniques for medical procedures.
• Support sedated examinations and minor procedures, assist licensed veterinary technicians and veterinarians, and monitor animals during recovery.
• Maintain an efficient flow of animals throughout the shelter.
• Feed and medicate patients according to veterinarian instructions and standard operating procedures.
• Coach and support direct care staff in meeting animals’ medical needs, including medication administration, treatment, and monitoring.
• Assist with or perform humane euthanasia under staff veterinarian supervision.
• Assist with preparing health certificates and copying medical records.
• Identify animals needing grooming and request or complete bathing and grooming as needed.
• Transport animals and their medical records within ASPCA departments for care, including transfers to the ASPCA Animal Hospital or Community Medicine.
• Update animals’ statuses in Adoption Center electronic medical records when necessary, including making animals available for placement per protocol or veterinary directives.
• Interpret electronic or written medical records and invoices to communicate animals’ medical needs or concerns.
• Explain veterinarians’ documented information about an animal’s condition in understandable language to staff, volunteers, foster caregivers, and adopters; prepare adoption and foster medical discharges under veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician direction.
• Participate in daily Medical-Behavior-Sheltering rounds, staff meetings, and training sessions, and follow Adoption Center philosophy, procedures, and protocols.
• Keep animals in comfortable and sanitary conditions and keep exam rooms and medical work areas clean, orderly, and stocked.
• Keep the Adoption Center clean, and clean and disinfect kennels, equipment, and facilities using appropriate personal protective equipment and departmental protocols.
• Comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies and requirements.
• Monitor supplies, take inventory, and restock as needed.
• Notify a supervisor about unsafe conditions, unrecognized hazards, or safety-rule infractions.

Benefits

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off, including vacation, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company-paid holidays, and paid personal time off.
• 401(k) plan with dollar-for-dollar employer matching up to 4%, plus an additional 4% employer contribution each year.
• Professional development opportunities, including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship, internal mobility, and opportunities to support in the field.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED