Medical (Veterinary) Care Assistant

Animal Protection Society of Durham; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Animal Protection Society of Durham is seeking a Medical Animal Care Assistant to support our veterinary team in a fast-paced shelter. You will care for animals receiving treatment, assist during exams, and help maintain a clean, safe medical environment.

In this role you’ll gain hands-on experience in veterinary medicine and shelter operations, work with a compassionate team, and contribute to saving lives every day in our community. Weekend availability is required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to safely handle animals of varying sizes and temperaments.
• Ability to work one of the posted weekend schedules.

Responsibilities

• Feed, clean, and monitor animals receiving medical care.
• Observe animals for changes in behavior or health and report concerns promptly.
• Provide enrichment and compassionate daily care.
• Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians during exams and treatments.
• Help administer medications, vaccines, and treatments under supervision.
• Support patient recovery following surgery and medical procedures.
• Clean and disinfect kennels, treatment rooms, and medical equipment.
• Follow biosecurity and disease prevention protocols.
• Help maintain organized treatment and surgical areas.
• Enter treatment information into shelter software.
• Assist with medical documentation and inventory tracking.
• Help ensure accurate and organized records.
• Restock medications, supplies, and equipment.
• Monitor inventory and notify leadership when supplies are running low.
• Ensure proper storage and handling of medical supplies.
• Collaborate with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal care staff, and other departments.
• Communicate professionally with coworkers.
• Support shelter operations as needed.

Skills

Compassionate toward animals and ppl

Dependable

Willingness to learn

Detail-oriented

Team player

Calm under pressure

Comfortable in fast-paced environment

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Available Schedules (approximately 36–40 hours per week):

Help Animals Heal Every Day.

Every animal that enters our shelter deserves compassionate, high-quality medical care.

As a Medical Animal Care Assistant, you'll play a vital role in helping injured, sick, and recovering animals receive the care they need while supporting our veterinary team in a fast-paced shelter environment.

Whether you're cleaning kennels, monitoring recovering patients, assisting with treatments, or helping maintain a safe medical environment, your work directly contributes to saving lives every day.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in veterinary medicine, animal care, shelter medicine, or a career in animal welfare.

What You'll Do:

Care for Animals Receiving Medical Treatment:

• Feed, clean, and monitor animals receiving medical care.
• Observe animals for changes in behavior or health and report concerns promptly.
• Provide enrichment and compassionate daily care.

Support Veterinary Care:

• Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians during exams and treatments.
• Help administer medications, vaccines, and treatments under supervision.
• Support patient recovery following surgery and medical procedures.

Keep Our Medical Areas Running Smoothly:

• Clean and disinfect kennels, treatment rooms, and medical equipment.
• Follow biosecurity and disease prevention protocols.
• Help maintain organized treatment and surgical areas.

Maintain Medical Records:

• Enter treatment information into shelter software.
• Assist with medical documentation and inventory tracking.
• Help ensure accurate and organized records.

Support Medical Inventory:

• Restock medications, supplies, and equipment.
• Monitor inventory and notify leadership when supplies are running low.
• Ensure proper storage and handling of medical supplies.

Work as Part of a Lifesaving Team:

• Collaborate with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal care staff, and other departments.
• Communicate professionally with coworkers.
• Support shelter operations as needed.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is:

• Compassionate toward both animals and people.
• Dependable and eager to learn.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented and organized.
• A strong team player.
• Calm under pressure.
• Committed to providing excellent animal care.

Experience working with animals is helpful, but a positive attitude and willingness to learn are just as important.

Qualifications:

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to safely handle animals of varying sizes and temperaments.
• Ability to work one of the posted weekend schedules.

Preferred:

• Experience in an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, boarding facility, or similar setting.
• Experience in a medical or clinical environment.
• Interest in veterinary medicine, shelter medicine, or animal welfare.

Working at APS

This position is based in our medical department and includes:

• Working with animals of all sizes, breeds, temperaments, and medical conditions.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, and animal handling.
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals, biological hazards, and zoonotic diseases.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Working in a fast-paced and emotionally rewarding environment.
• Occasional holidays or schedule flexibility based on shelter needs.

Why Join APS?

At APS, every day brings an opportunity to make a difference.

We're building a collaborative culture focused on compassion, teamwork, continuous learning, and excellent animal care. Our medical team plays a critical role in helping animals heal, preparing them for adoption, and giving them a second chance.

Whether you're exploring a career in veterinary medicine or simply want meaningful work helping animals, you'll gain valuable experience while making a real impact.