Job Description
Summary:
The Senior Veterinary Assistant (SVA) is a vital member of our veterinary medical team. The SVA supports two program functions - spay/neuter surgery and primary pet care - for pet cats and dogs living with their families in ASPCA service areas and animals in the care of the rescue community.
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 SVA drives the mobile clinic from our logistics center to each day’s clinic location to meet the rest of the medical team. Throughout the day, 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. At the end of the clinic day, the SVA helps clean and restock the clinic and then drives it back so it is ready for service the following day. The SVA reports directly to the Medical Staff and Flow Manager and has no direct reports.
Where and When You’ll Work
This is an on-site position based at the ASPCA Mobile Clinics throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Occasional flexibility in reporting to other ASPCA locations throughout NYC may be required based on operational need.
This is typically 10 hours a day (including driving time), 4 days a week schedule between Monday through Friday with flexibility to work occasionally beyond the scheduled workday.
What You’ll Get
Compensation
Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.
The target hiring range for this role is $26.00 - $27.44 per hour.
Benefits
At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage as well as employer-paid life insurance coverage and long-term disability coverage.
Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, company paid holidays, and paid personal time off 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.
For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities
Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance. They include, but are not limited to:
Medical
- Care for cats and dogs each day presenting for spay/neuter surgery up to calculated clinic capacity
- 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)
- Monitor vital signs of sedated and anesthetized patients in pre-operative, operative, and post-operative phases
- Assist with patient exams, take medical history, perform diagnostic testing, and prepare medications to go home with the client/patient
- 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
- Provide support and medical services in special cases as needed, including evaluation of animals living in hoarding situations
Customer Service
- 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
Other
- Safely drive and park mobile clinics to and from various locations
- Operate and troubleshoot mobile clinic generators
- Enter medical information into digital databases
- 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 veterinary/medical training of CM staff, ASPCA staff and veterinary and technical students by coaching, discussion, and demonstration
- Attend staff meetings and training sessions
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Ability to lift and carry 40-plus pounds repeatedly throughout day with assistance
- Ability to work standing for 10 or more hours
- 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)
- Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies
- Experience using a computer and navigating software applications
- Fear Free® Shelter certification is required within 60 days of hire
- Strong interest in animal welfare and serving underserved communities
Driving requirements:
- Able to provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history
- Candidate, must have a Commercial Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain one within the first 6 months to a year of hire. Candidates must pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history. As part of the driving requirements of this role, candidates must also pass a Department of Transportation Medical Exam and required Drug and Alcohol Testing.
- Willing and able to provide all documentation necessary to complete a Driver Qualification File pursuant to DOT and FMCSA requirements in order to drive a Commercial Motor Vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less.
- Must be willing and comfortable learning to drive Mobile Clinics, which are up to 37 feet long, through city street traffic (training provided by ASPCA)
Language
- English (required)
- Spanish (strongly preferred)
Education and Work Experience
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Minimum 1 year animal handling in a professional setting required
- Veterinary medical experience preferred
Language:
English (Required), SpanishEducation and Work Experience:
High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent Experience