Hospital Veterinary Assistant

Summary:

Overview

Join a team of experts as a Hospital Veterinary Assistant on our ASPCA Animal Hospital team to make a real impact on the vulnerable animals who need us most.

Who We Are

The ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH) is designed to provide life-saving care and relieve suffering for animal victims of cruelty and neglect who come to us through our internal partners:  ASPCA Adoption Center, Kitten Nursery, Community Medicine and Community Engagement (CE) teams; and our external partners: NYPD and other NYC organizations.   Additionally, we provide subsidized care exclusively for animals whose owners are experiencing financial challenges and could not otherwise afford medical care for their pet.

What You'll Do

The Hospital Veterinary Assistant is responsible for the daily care of surgical patients and assisting the Licensed Veterinary Technicians and Veterinarians in a high-quality, high-volume emergency hospital.

Where and When You'll Work

This is a full-time, onsite position (40 hours/weekly ) at our 92nd Street location. The schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10a-8p, Saturday 8a-6p.

This position may require occasional flexibility and occasional overtime during off-hours, weekends, evening hours and possible holiday support.

What You'll Get

Compensation

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

Benefits

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off that includes vacation time, paid personal time, sick time, bereavement time, paid parental leave, and 10 company paid holidays that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.
• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar-for-dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
• Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field and so much more.

Responsibilities:

Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance, and include but are not limited to:

Nursing Care and Client Services

• Knowledge of basic veterinary medical concepts, including, but not limited to surgical procedures, surgical instruments, anesthesia, and animal handling.

• Admit surgical patients as needed

• Provide compassionate and quality patient care at all times.

• Be proficient in animal handling and restraint for injections, venipuncture, intubation, etc.

• Treat animals and clients with care and respect utilizing Fear Free guidelines.

• Document and communicate and patient concerns or observed changes to LVT and/or Veterinarian

• Feed and medicate patients following veterinarian and LVT instructions

• Lift patients up to 40 pounds.

Housekeeping and Maintenance of surgical suites and instrumentation

• Clean and disinfect surgery prep, operating rooms, and pack and prep while utilizing appropriate PPE when appropriate

• Follow all departmental PPE and cleaning protocols

• Follow all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

• Follow all written and verbally communicated departmental Standard Operating Procedures.

• Take inventory and stock supplies as needed.

• Assist in keeping supplies stocked by noting when supplies are running low in surgery and pack and prep areas

• Make certain entire hospital including treatment, surgery, exam rooms and kennels are kept extremely clean through the day

• Clean, wrap, and sterilize surgical packs by use of dishwasher and autoclave

• Prep operating rooms for surgery, obtain instruments as needed for surgical procedures

• Assist anesthetist with anesthesia - including induction, prepping for epidurals/local blocks, and shaving patients for surgery

• Scrub patients for surgery utilizing strict aseptic technique

• Run bloodwork for surgical patients as needed by LVT or veterinarian

Professionalism, Communication, and Performance

• Represent ASPCA in professional and courteous manner at all times.

• Provide management with regular feedback about training needs, new hires, coworkers, interns, hospital needs, etc. 

• Collaborate professionally with other ASPCA department managers and staff.

• Support organization and departmental policies and protocols

• Maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols.

• Possess thorough knowledge of AAH daily procedures and 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

• Attend staff meetings and training sessions

• Advise Supervisor of any conditions that are unsafe including unrecognized hazards or infractions of safety rules.

• Attend surgery department meetings (which provide continuing education)

Qualifications

• Able to lift up to 40 pounds

• Able to work standing for 10 or more hours

• Basic to advanced computer skills, including Excel, Microsoft Office and ImproMed

• Knowledge of veterinary hospital protocols and procedures

• Must have a high degree of integrity and accountability

• Must possess strong animal handling and restraint skills

• Must possess strong customer service skills, robust inter-personal communication and the ability to work in a team environment or independently

• Possess a sense of humor that can balance flexibility and enthusiasm and thrives on detail

• Proficiency in Impromed, preferred.

Education and Work Experience

• High School Diploma (Required) 

• 1+ years experience in the Animal Care Technician role or equivalent

• 1+ years veterinary hospital and/or shelter experience preferred

• Experience in surgery preferred but not required

• Fear Free Shelter or Fear Free Veterinary certification is required within 60 days of hire

Language:

Education and Work Experience:

Our EEO Policy:
The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act:
Pursuant to regulations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), we provide this notice to applicants about eligible employees’ protected leave for certain reasons. Click on the link to learn more.

Applicants that are residents of Colorado and Oregon: Per CO Senate Bill 23-058 and ORS 659A.030, we cannot generally request or require any age-related information (i.e., age, DOB, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution) on an initial employment application; this includes any age-related inquiries through completion of the initial interview. We can require/request additional application materials; if those materials contain any age-related information, an applicant should redact the information before submitting an initial employment application.

Indiana Applicants: Pursuant to Indiana law, we are providing notice that it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by: (1) refusing to employ an applicant for employment on the basis that the applicant is a veteran of the armed forces of the United States; or (2) refusing to employ an applicant for employment on the basis that the applicant is a member of the Indiana National Guard or a member of a reserve component. Should you feel that you were a victim of discrimination on the basis of veteran status, please let us know at careers@aspca.org. Alternatively, you can file a complaint with the following agencies at any time: Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N103, Indianapolis, IN 46204; Office: (317) 232-2600 | Toll Free: (800) 628-2909; Hearing Impaired: (800) 743-3333 | Fax: (317) 232-6580; E-mail: icrc@crc.in.gov | Website: www.in.gov/icrc. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Indianapolis Field Office; 115 W. Washington Street South Tower Suite 600; Indianapolis, IN 46204; Phone: 463-999-1240; Fax: 317-226-7953; TTY: 1-800-669-6820;ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122.

Massachusetts Applicants: Per Massachusetts law, we are providing notice that it is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Philadelphia Applicants: You may view your rights under the Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Act here.