Patient Care Specialist

Animal Care & Control Of Nyc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Animal Care & Control Of NYC is seeking a Patient Care Specialist to provide compassionate care for animals in a busy NYC shelter. You will tend to basic needs, monitor well-being, and alert the Veterinary Team to concerns while assisting with examinations from intake to restraint.

The role requires a High School Diploma or GED, at least six months of animal handling experience, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs while standing for extended periods.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Six months of animal handling experience required.
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced, high-stress environment; shows respect to animals and people.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for 8 hours or more.

Responsibilities

• Assist in compassionate care for convalescing animals including feeding, walking, cleaning and socializing.
• Provide direct assistance with physical examinations from retrieval to basic restraint.
• Walk dogs in medical areas safely according to ACC policies.
• Clean and sanitize medical areas to keep patients comfortable and dry.
• Facilitate transfer of animals from intake or medical areas to housing.
• Communicate effectively within and outside the department.
• Obtain ACC-provided euthanasia certification to perform humane euthanasia when needed.
• Maintain handling equipment and stock as needed.
• Be a multitasker, self-starter and observant.

Skills

Animal handling

Lift up to 50 lbs

Stamina

Attention to detail

Strong work ethic

Effective communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The working schedule for this position is four ten-hour shifts on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday with Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday off.

Who We Are

ACC is one of the nation’s largest open-admission animal shelters, whose mission is to End Animal Homelessness in NYC. We touch the lives of nearly 20,000 animals each year. ACC is more than an animal shelter; we are a resource to the community, always seeking ways to keep the human-animal bond intact. With a 90% placement rate, our progressive, life‑saving initiatives contribute to the successful placement of our animals.

We strive to find loving homes for homeless and abandoned cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits, both by adopting animals directly to the public and by partnering with more than 200 dedicated animal placement organizations (our New Hope partners). We also help keep NYC communities safe and rescue animals in need, responding to emergencies that involve animals as well as keeping our doors open 24/7 for people and animals in need.

Summary

Under the direction of a Veterinarian or Licensed Veterinary Technician, the Patient Care Specialist will assist in the provision of compassionate care for convalescing animals who are injured, ill or recovering from surgery by tending to the animal’s basic needs including feeding, walking, cleaning and socializing. It is important to notice little changes in the animal’s behavior, appetite and comfort level and alert the Veterinary Team to the observed concerns. They provide direct assistance with physical examinations from retrieval of the animal to basic restraint.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Six months of previous animal handling experience required– i.e. dog walking, animal husbandry, grooming, measuring vital signs, restraining aggressive animals.
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced, often high stress environment, treats animals and people with respect, has attention to detail and a strong work ethic to complete tasks correctly.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and work standing for 8 hours or more.

• ACC values work/life balance and offers a generous paid-time-off (PTO) package that includes vacation time, birthdays off, personal days and sick pay.
• We also value physical and mental health by offering a great open access Cigna medical, dental and vision insurance at a low premium to our employees as well as 401K and Pension, Life Insurance.
• We also have on-the-job training for 2-4 weeks, periodic all staff trainings to include safety, DEI, cross training, and other growth opportunities.
• Because ACC is a nonprofit, employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness, cancellation, and/or consolidation under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF).
• Created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, PSLF allows borrowers who work full time for nonprofits and government agencies to have their outstanding debt forgiven tax‑free on Federal Direct Loans, after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.

ACC offers many low-cost services to pets and people in need. This includes compassionate end‑of‑life services for people who cannot afford to go to a private veterinary office but still want to provide a professional and peaceful transition for their beloved pet.

Other Responsibilities :

• Walk dogs housed in medical areas safely and in accordance to ACC policies.
• Properly clean and sanitize medical areato keep the patients comfortable and dry.
• Facilitate transfer of animals from intake or medical areas and into appropriate housing.
• Work cooperatively with ACC volunteers and partners and all departments.
• Communicate effectively, cordially, and promptly within and outside of the department.
• Required to obtain ACC-provided euthanasia certification in order to perform the humane euthanasia of animals when needed.
• Maintain handling and restraint equipment.
• Maintain adequate inventory as well as restock and maintenance of Vet Services Area.
• Will need to be a multitasker and jump from various teams to assist when needed. Also needs to be a self-starter and observant.
• Retrieve animals from rooms throughout the shelter and safely restrain for physical exams.
• Fear Free certification required within 30 days of hire.
• Complete other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Is a confident communicator, a people person, and a team player.
• Willing to pitch in to help others and ensure the needs of the animals are met.
• Available to modify schedule as needed to meet the needs of the organization, including with little notice.
• Possesses a love of animals and is able to interact with them in a calm, non‑threatening manner.
• Willing to familiarize themselves with medical terminology, and proper technique in obtaining patient vital signs.
• Demonstrated ability to handle animals of all temperaments.

At ACC it's all hands‑on deck. We work together as a team, which means you may be asked to help with tasks that involve working outside in all sorts of weather. As a busy animal shelter in one of the biggest cities in the world it can get noisy inside. Employees should have the ability to remain calm yet professional in stressful situations involving animals and/or members of the public. ACC houses hundreds of animals in its facilities at any given time and with that comes fur, odors and other airborne particles in abundance.

Reports To:

Veterinary Team Manager

Overtime:

This is a non‑union position and is eligible for overtime.