Veterinary Assistant

Summary: Are you passionate about helping animals in need and eager to advance the field of animal welfare? Do you thrive in a dynamic, complex, highly collaborative environment? If so, the role of Veterinary Assistant at the ASPCA’s new Recovery & Rehabilitation Center (R&R Center) in Pawling, NY might be right for you!   Who We Are The R&R Center in Pawling, NY, is a unique program dedicated to providing integrated sheltering, behavioral, and medical care for canine victims of cruelty. The R&R Center team works closely with ASPCA teams in New York City to help animals rescued in partnership with the NYPD.  What You’ll Do The individual in this role  is responsible for  providing  high quality  veterinary care to canines recovering from the physical and behavioral impacts of animal cruelty at the R&R Center. The successful candidate for this role values teamwork, collaboration, and an integrated approach to recovery and rehabilitation that balances medical, behavioral, and environmental needs.  Veterinary Assistant reports directly to the Manager, Veterinary Services Staff and has no direct reports. Where and When You’ll Work This is an in-person position  located  at the R&R Center in Pawling, NY  This position requires ability and willingness to travel up to 5% of the time   The regular schedule for this position is 4 days per week from 8am-6 pm including at least one weekend day. This role requires the ability to work a flexible schedule, including days, evenings and holidays, as needed. Schedules are subject to change as needed by the ASPCA. 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 $24 - $25.44 hourly.     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, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 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.  Check  our website  for more information on our benefits offerings.    Responsibilities: Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance. They include, but are not limited to: Functional Duties  Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques   Collaborate with behavior and sheltering colleagues to ensure holistic, balanced care for animals and a cohesive team culture for staff  Communicate regularly with the behavior team using objective language and established communication systems to ensure information is shared in a timely fashion with relevant stakeholders  Observe individual animals and the overall population for signs of illness, injury, and/or poor welfare, communicating any issues quickly and effectively  Provide continuous hands-on support during exams, surgery, specimen collection, and humane euthanasia procedures   Administer oral and topic medical for preventive or therapeutic purposes under the direction of a veterinarian and in accordance with all state and federal laws  Monitor patients post-operatively to ensure safety and comfort and to identify possible post-operative or anesthesia-related complications  Maintain active knowledge of all daily procedures and protocols  Provide administrative support to the Veterinary Services team, accurately documenting findings, results, and other data in a timely fashion   Follow all protocols to ensure chain of custody is maintained and appropriately documented, and for the disposition of forensic evidence  Clean and disinfect kennels, equipment, and facility as needed, while donning appropriate PPE  Assist with daily animal care including feeding and medicating, as directed  Ensure medical areas are kept clean, organized, and ready for use  Track inventory and ensure veterinary areas are well stocked at all times   Identify and communicate inventory and ordering needs  Administrative, Financial, and Operational Duties  Participate in daily rounds alongside behavioral and sheltering staff, collaborating openly to provide excellent and integrated care   Regularly attend all Veterinary Services, appropriate cross-functional, and all-staff meetings   Accurately track and report time worked, time off, and work-related travel expenses   Responsibly steward R&R Center assets  Qualifications Valid driver’s license and ability to pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating safe driving  Fluent in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with shelter software systems or Salesforce a plus   Excellent written and oral communication skills  Able to regularly witness animals suffering medically and/or behaviorally  Comfortable with humane euthanasia in theory and in practice   Displays concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals and others, especially under stress  Fosters collaboration by creating strong connections with colleagues at all levels and in all areas  Builds strong work relationships based on trust, respect, and listening to understand  Freely and generously shares knowledge, skills, and expertise with others   Demonstrates genuine interest in the thoughts, ideas, and expertise of others   Proactively problem-solves and takes appropriate initiative to implement solutions   Flexible; can easily adapt to changes and help others do the same   Resilient; bounces back from difficult and disappointing situations quickly  Models transparency, integrity, honesty and strong ethical principles  Unafraid of hard conversations and approaches them openly, quickly, and kindly   Views conflict as generative, using disagreement to drive innovation, improve communication, clarify and articulate values, and build stronger relationships   Values ongoing training and continuing education for self and team, ensuring ample access to learning opportunities  Willing and able to work in a variety of environments; Willing and able to work with chemical and biological hazards such as medications, cleaning products, urine, feces, blood, and sharp objects   Able to work in a physically demanding environment that requires standing, walking, bending, squatting, and/or kneeling for extended periods of time  Able to lift and carry animals (50 pounds unassisted, 100 pounds with assistance) and equipment, such as food bags, bedding, and cleaning supplies; Able to comfortably handle and restrain animals safely and humanely, particularly in stressful situations   Ability to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to disposable coveralls, respirators or face masks, and booties  Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies. Education and Work Experience High School Diploma or GED required, B.S. or B.A. preferred   A minimum of one year handling and restraining dogs in a veterinary or shelter setting is required Veterinary Assistant experience preferred  Fear Free® Veterinary certification (approximately 9 hours) required within 60 days or hire  Language: English (Required) Education and Work Experience: High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent Experience (Required)