Veterinary Assistant

Summary:

Overview

Are you detail-oriented, passionate about animal welfare, and energized by a fast-paced, dynamic, and complex environment? If so, the position of Veterinary Assistant (VA) at the ASPCA might be for you. As an integral member of the LA Feline Program team, the VA supports a program that provides care for approximately 1,500 kittens and cats annually.

In collaboration with the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care & Control, the ASPCA LA Feline Program provides temporary care and adoption opportunities for at-risk feline populations that might not find positive outcomes in a shelter environment. These populations include:

• Orphaned neonates under 4 weeks old

• Underage, orphaned kittens aged 4–8 weeks (our primary population)

• Queens in need of a stress-free environment to raise their young

• Juvenile and adult cats needing extra support finding adoption opportunities while recovering from illness or after extended stays in a shelter environment

The VA plays a crucial role in maintaining the LA Feline Program's efficiency and lifesaving impact through detailed and accurate recordkeeping and by supporting essential medical care throughout the kitten’s journey from intake to outcome. They work under the guidance of veterinarians and registered veterinarian technicians (RVTs) to assist in the delivery of individual animal and population level medical care consistent with our practice’s standards and Fear Free values.

Success in this role requires a reliable and compassionate team player who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and dedicated to helping animals transition through the foster program to find their adoptive homes. The ideal candidate will have professional experience in a clinical setting (human or animal) and a strong commitment to maintaining high standards of animal care and collaboration with staff, fosters, and adopters.

Our program operates in multiple locations throughout the Los Angeles County area and VAs are required to be flexible with respect to their work location.

The Veterinary Assistant reports directly to the Senior Manager, Medical Care and has no direct reports.

Where and When You’ll Work

• This role is based at a variety of locations across the LA Metropolitan area including Burbank, Downey, Baldwin, and Carson.

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 $22.60 - $24.05 / 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.

• 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. They include, but are not limited to:

Nursing Care and Veterinary Support

• 
  Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our volunteers by using low-stress handling techniques

• Support RVTs and veterinarians during examinations, including handling and restraining animals for necessary medical procedures

• Provide clinical care for kittens and nursing cats and litters including administration of medications (topical, oral, ophthalmic, and injections) following veterinarian or registered veterinary technician instructions and standard operating procedures

• Communicate with fosters volunteers about pertinent information regarding the overall care of animals in our program

• Prepare medications to administer to kittens in foster care and communicate medical findings and treatments in a clear, simple language to foster volunteers

• Provide attentive and compassionate care for kittens and cats including bottle feeding, stimulating elimination, spot-cleaning and litterbox maintenance as needed for animals that require an extended length of stay on site, due to medical concerns or Waystation needs

• Cultivate a cooperative relationship with staff, foster caregivers, and members of the public to support positive outcomes for animals in program’s care

• Assist with humane euthanasia under the supervision of a staff veterinarian

• Help to maintain an efficient flow of animals through the program towards a positive outcome in a collaborative, multi-team supported environment

Record Keeping

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  Accurately and promptly enter and maintain animals' medical records during examinations

• Maintain and update foster program databases with exam details, medications and animal status changes, including transferring information from internal software systems and external veterinary partner records

Housekeeping and Maintenance

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  Clean and disinfect kennels, equipment, and facility spaces while utilizing appropriate PPE and sanitation protocols

• Assist in monitoring supply levels, performing inventory checks, and restocking supplies as needed

• Communicating and assisting with coordination of transport needs; including Uber, driver assists, and supply runs

• Ensuring animals are kept in comfortable and sanitary conditions

• Work in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies and requirements

• Additional duties as assigned by supervisor and leadership team

Qualifications

• 
  Knowledge of basic animal care and familiarity with veterinary hospital protocols and procedures

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to work independently or as part of a team

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate courteously and professionally in person, via phone, and through email

• Ability to use basic computer applications (e.g., Microsoft Office); experience with Digitail or other veterinary and shelter software systems is a plus

• Able to lift up to 30 pounds and perform tasks requiring walking, bending, standing, and reaching throughout an 8-hour workday

• Ability to work in close proximity to cats, kittens, and cat litter

• Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values

Language

• 
  English (required)

• Spanish (a plus)

Education and Work Experience

• 
  High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent experience

• At least 1 year of experience working in a veterinary clinic or animal shelter preferred

• At least 1 year of cat or kitten handling experience preferred

• At least 1 year of experience working in data entry preferred

Qualifications:

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 [email protected]. 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: [email protected] | 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.