Adoptions Veterinary Assistant

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals • New York, NY

6d • 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 and assisting veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians. The AVA works with medical and adoption-center team members to deliver veterinary care and communicate information about animals’ health to staff, volunteers, foster caregivers, and members of the public. The role supports cats and dogs in the Adoption Center, which provides intake, medical and behavioral support, and placement services for animals in New York City, including cruelty and neglect victims, community referrals, medically compromised strays, owner surrenders, and transfers from partner shelters and rescues. Care follows Adoption Center shelter-medicine protocols and ASPCA One Fund guidelines.

The AVA assists with examinations, treatments, procedures, and monitoring using low-stress handling, ASPCA policies, and shelter-medicine best practices. The role also meets animals’ physical and behavioral needs through husbandry, observation and reporting, record keeping, data entry, and medication preparation and administration. The position reports directly to the Senior Manager of Medical Operations and is based on site at the ASPCA 92nd Street Adoption Center in New York, NY.

Requirements

• Knowledge of basic animal care, handling, and disease recognition; familiarity with veterinary-hospital protocols and procedures.
• Ability to understand and communicate using veterinary medical terminology.
• Ability to provide appropriate care and handling for sick, injured, fearful, fractious, or aggressive cats and dogs.
• Low-stress animal handling and restraint skills.
• Customer-service skills.
• Ability to adjust focus and priorities quickly based on Adoption Center and patient needs.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn, implement, and teach new protocols and to remain open-minded about change.
• Ability to maintain a high standard of care, work ethic, and performance; work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions and demonstrate flexibility with assignments and tasks.
• Ability to communicate successfully and courteously in person, by phone, and by email, and to act professionally 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 throughout at least an 8-hour workday.
• Ability to exemplify ASPCA core values and behavioral competencies.
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of prior animal-handling or veterinary experience; the posting also lists a minimum of 2–3 years.
• English language proficiency required.
• Eligible for certification as a euthanasia technician in New York State.

Nice To Haves

• Animal-shelter work experience.
• Familiarity with PetPoint or other shelter software systems.
• Fear Free® certification, or willingness to obtain it within 60 days of employment.
• Spanish language ability.

Responsibilities

• Assist with examinations, treatments, procedures, and monitoring of cats and dogs using low-stress handling techniques and applicable policies, protocols, and shelter-medicine practices.
• Observe animals for illness, injury, or poor welfare; document and communicate observations to licensed personnel and in monitoring sheets and medical records.
• Enter information accurately and promptly into medical records, including information from other ASPCA systems and outside laboratory results.
• Prepare samples for outside laboratories and follow up as needed.
• Handle and restrain animals for medical procedures using the least-restraint, lowest-stress techniques possible.
• Support sedated examinations and minor procedures, assist veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians, and monitor animals during recovery.
• Maintain efficient animal flow throughout the shelter.
• Feed and medicate patients according to veterinarian instructions and standard operating procedures.
• Coach and support direct-care staff in medication administration, treatment, and monitoring.
• Assist with or perform humane euthanasia under staff-veterinarian supervision.
• Help prepare health certificates and copy medical records.
• Identify animals needing grooming and request or perform bathing and grooming as needed.
• Transport animals and medical records within ASPCA departments for necessary care, including transfers to the ASPCA Animal Hospital or Community Medicine.
• Update animals’ statuses in Adoption Center electronic medical records when needed, including making animals available for placement according to protocol or veterinary direction.
• Understand electronic and written medical records and invoices and communicate animals’ medical needs or concerns clearly.
• Explain veterinarian-documented information about animals’ conditions 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.
• Maintain animals in comfortable and sanitary conditions; clean, disinfect, and stock exam rooms, work areas, kennels, equipment, and the facility using appropriate PPE and cleaning protocols.
• Monitor supplies, take inventory, restock as needed, and report unsafe conditions, hazards, or safety-rule infractions.
• Work in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies and requirements.

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 employer dollar-for-dollar matching up to 4%, plus an additional 4% employer contribution.
• Professional development opportunities, including classes, on-the-job training, coaching, mentorship, internal mobility, and opportunities to support work in the field.

What This Job Offers

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