Who We Are
Have you ever wondered what happens to cats and dogs whose owners are unable to afford veterinary care? We did. The ASPCA's Community Medicine (CM) team provides expert veterinary care to support the welfare of animals and their people through our stationary and mobile veterinary clinics, serving the most underserved communities in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.
We help pet owners overcome barriers to care, bringing quality services directly to the communities that need us most and partially or fully subsidizing the cost of basic and preventive care. CM treats people and pets with dignity and respect, assisting pet owners in making informed decisions about their pets' health and wellbeing regardless of their financial circumstances. When you come to work at the ASPCA, you join a team of over 1,000 dedicated colleagues with deep knowledge, skills, and passion for the animals we serve.
What You'll Do
The Temporary Senior Veterinary Assistant (SVA)- NYC Mobile Veterinary Services (MVS) is a vital member of our veterinary medical team. The Temporary SVA supports two program functions : spay / neuter surgery and primary pet care for pet cats and dogs living with their families in ASPCA Focus areas and animals in the care of the rescue community in New York City.
Throughout the day, Temporary SVAs are responsible for client communication, assisting the veterinarian and / or veterinary technician, animal handling, preparing animals for surgery, entering medical records, and monitoring patients while they are under anesthesia.
Temporary Role Details :
- This is a temporary, contingent position and the person hired will be employed through a third-party staffing agency.
- This position is intended to last 6 months from the first day of service.
- The target hiring range for this temporary role is $25 - $26.44 per hour and may be modified in the future.
- This is typically a Monday-Friday, 10-hour schedule with flexibility to work occasionally beyond the scheduled workday and Saturdays approximately once per quarter may be required.
- This position is a mobile position and reports to locations where the clinics are located.
What's Expected of You - Position Responsibilities & Qualifications :
Medical
Care for up to 25-30 cats and dogs per day in spay / neuter surgeryProvide 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)Monitor vital signs of sedated and anesthetized patients in pre-operative, operative, and post-operative phasesTake direction regarding medical protocols and animal care from the clinic veterinarian or veterinary technicianOrganize and maintain pre-operative area and operating room for patient anesthesia, surgical preparation and sterilizationEnsure anesthesia machines, pulse oximeters, scales, and other equipment are functional and report equipment that is not working properlyClean, sonicate, pack, and sterilize surgical instruments and endotracheal tubesWork with coworkers to clean and disinfect animal areas while utilizing appropriate personal protective equipmentAssist with patient exams, take medical history, perform diagnostic testing, and prepare medications to go home with the client / patientProvide support and medical services in special cases as needed, including evaluation of animals living in hoarding situationsCustomer Service
Communicate with all clients in a non-judgmental, effective and professional mannerGreet clients and assist with the intake process, including assisting clients in filling out intake and service documents, flag relevant medical historyCommunicate basic veterinary medical concepts to clients, including, but not limited to vaccine protocols and anesthetic risksExplain information provided by the veterinarian about an animal's condition to clientsOther
Enter medical information into digital databases as appropriateRepresent ASPCA in a professional and courteous mannerAdhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)Follow all written and verbally communicated CM Standard Operating ProceduresCollaborate and foster good communication with ASPCA colleaguesPerform other duties as assignedQualifications
Experience using a computer and navigating software applicationsAbility to lift and carry 40-plus pounds repeatedly throughout day with assistanceAbility to work standing for 8 or more hoursFear Free® Veterinary certification is required within 60 days of hireExcellent customer service skillsAbility to work independently and as part of a teamAbility to work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditionsMust maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocolsExcellent animal handling skills (cats, dogs)Strong interest in animal welfare and serving underserved communitiesLanguage :
English (Required)Bilingual (Spanish) (Strongly Preferred)Education and Work Experience :
High school diploma or GED equivalentMinimum 1 year animal handling in a professional setting required, veterinary medical experience preferredStay Connected - Join Our Talent Community
If you are interested in joining our team and want to stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA, click this link to join our Talent Community.