Senior Veterinary Assistant, Mobile Veterinary Services

ASPCA•Los Angeles, CA

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The ASPCA’s Community Medicine (CM) team provides expert veterinary care to support the welfare of animals and their people through stationary and mobile veterinary clinics, serving the most underserved communities in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. They help pet owners overcome barriers to care by bringing quality services directly to the communities that need them most and partially or fully subsidizing the cost of basic and preventive care. The Senior Veterinary Assistant (SVA) - Mobile Veterinary Services (MVS) is a vital member of this veterinary medical team. The SVA supports two program functions - mobile spay/neuter surgery and mobile primary pet care – for pet cats and dogs at various locations in the Greater Los Angeles Area. The SVA drives the mobile clinic from the logistics center in Paramount to each day’s clinic location, communicates with clients about their pet’s care, assists the veterinarian and technician with animal handling, prepares animals for surgery, enters medical records, and monitors patients while they are under anesthesia. At the end of the clinic day, the SVA helps clean and restock the clinic and then drives it back to Paramount so it is ready for service the following day.

Requirements

Experience using a computer and navigating software applications
Ability to lift and carry 40-plus pounds repeatedly throughout day with assistance
Ability to work standing for 10 or more hours
Fear Free® Shelter certification is required within 60 days of hire
Must be willing and comfortable learning to drive our 37’ Mobile Clinics (training provided by ASPCA)
Must provide a valid driver’s license upon hire
Must pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history
Must pass a Department of Transportation Medical Exam
Excellent customer service skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ability to work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions
Must maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols
Excellent animal handling skills (cats, dogs)
Strong interest in animal welfare and serving underserved communities
High school diploma or GED equivalent required

Nice To Haves

Minimum 1 year animal handling in a professional setting preferred
Veterinary medical experience preferred
Bilingual (Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese, etc.) Strongly Preferred

Responsibilities

Care for approximately 25-30 cats and dogs per day in spay/neuter surgery; or 35-40 community cats
Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques during various procedures (examples: exams, treatments, injections, venipuncture, intubation, ear cleaning, nail trimming)
Monitor vital signs of sedated and anesthetized patients in pre-operative, operative, and post-operative phases
Take direction regarding medical protocols and animal care from the clinic veterinarian or veterinary technician
Organize and maintain pre-operative area and operating room for patient anesthesia, surgical preparation and sterilization
Ensure anesthesia machines, pulse oximeters, scales, and other equipment are functional and report equipment that is not working properly
Clean, sonicate, pack, and sterilize surgical instruments and endotracheal tubes
Work with coworkers to clean and disinfect animal areas and facility while utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment
Assist with patient exams, take medical history, perform diagnostic testing, and prepare medications to go home with the client/patient
Communicate with all clients in a non-judgmental, effective and professional manner
Greet clients and assist with the intake process, including assisting clients in filling out intake and service documents, flag relevant medical history
Communicate basic veterinary medical concepts to clients, including, but not limited to vaccine protocols and anesthetic risks
Explain information provided by the veterinarian about an animal’s condition to clients
Safely drive and park mobile clinics to and from various locations in Los Angeles County
Operate and troubleshoot mobile clinic generators
Enter medical information into digital data bases as appropriate
Represent ASPCA in a professional and courteous manner
Provide medical information and representation to other ASPCA departments
Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of Transportation (DOT)
Follow all written and verbally communicated CM Standard Operating Procedures
Collaborate and foster good communication with ASPCA colleagues
Participate in the training of CM staff by coaching, discussion, and demonstration
Attend staff meetings and training sessions
Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

Paid vacation time
Paid sick time
Ten paid holidays
Paid personal time
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Pre-tax dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
Health flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
401(k) plan with generous employer contributions beginning after one year of service
Employer-paid life insurance
Long-term disability insurance
Robust professional development programs