Temporary Adoptions Veterinary Assistant

Aspcapro; New York (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

The ASPCA is seeking an Adoptions Veterinary Assistant (AVA) to join our Adoption Center medical team in New York City. This temporary, contingent position supports veterinarians and licensed technicians, with duties spanning nursing care, data entry, and animal handling.

Responsibilities include monitoring animals, documenting health status, preparing lab samples, and maintaining clean, safe spaces. Must have High School Diploma and 1–2 years of animal handling experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic animal care, handling, and disease recognition.
• Willingness to learn and communicate using veterinary terminology.
• Ability to handle sick or fearful animals with low-stress techniques.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient with basic computer tools including Excel and email.

Responsibilities

• Observe animals for illness or injury and document findings.
• Enter data into medical records and transfer information between departments.
• Prepare samples for lab submission and handle animals for procedures.
• Feed and medicate as directed and participate in daily clinical huddles.
• Transport animals and records between departments and ensure clean, sanitary conditions.

Skills

Animal care

Low-stress handling

Communication

Organization

Data entry

Tools

Pet Point

Job description

Overview

Are you passionate about delivering high-quality care to animals in need? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, team-based environment? Then the Adoptions Veterinary Assistant role at the ASPCA may be right for you.

The Adoptions Veterinary Assistant (AVA) is a key member of the medical team at our Adoption Center. The AVA provides compassionate care and assists our veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians. The AVA works closely with other medical team members to facilitate the delivery of veterinary care and to communicate information regarding animals' health status to staff, volunteers, and members of the public.

The Adoption Center provides intake, holistic care, including medical and behavioral support and outcomes, for animals in New York City that need us most. The Adoption Center team utilizes and develops best practices for providing care and innovative placement strategies for these specialized populations. All medical care is provided within the parameters of the Adoption Center's shelter medicine protocols.

To succeed in this role, the AVA will be a highly conscientious team player dedicated to delivering quality, compassionate care and assisting the medical team and the larger adoptions team in helping animals move successfully to new homes.

Temporary Role Details

• This is a temporary, contingent position and the person hired will be employed through a third-party staffing agency.
• The schedule for this role includes, but is not limited to Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 7:00am-5:00pm EST and may be modified in the future.
• The target hiring range for this temporary role is $23-$25 per hour and may be modified in the future.

Responsibilities

Nursing Care and Veterinary Support

• Closely observe animals for signs of illness, injury, and/or poor welfare
• Document and communicate this information on monitoring sheets, in patient medical records, and/or directly to licensed personnel. This includes and is not limited to DOH exit exams, post-op rechecks, stability checks, and other observations asked of you by your manager
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry to animals' medical records, including transfer of information from other ASPCA departments' software systems and diagnostic test results from outside laboratories
• Prepare samples for submission to outside laboratories and follow-up as needed
• Handle and restrain animals for medical procedures utilizing the least restraint and lowest-stress techniques possible
• Feed and medicate patients following veterinarian instructions and standard operating procedures
• Participate in daily huddle discussions regarding clinical pathways, including considerations of humane euthanasia

Housekeeping and Maintenance:

• Transport animals (using low-stress techniques) and their medical records within ASPCA departments for necessary care, including but not limited to transfers to the ASPCA Animal Hospital and/or Community Medicine
• Update animals' statuses in Adoption Center electronic medical records when necessary, including but not limited to making animals available for placement per protocol or veterinary directives
• Ensure that animals are kept in comfortable and sanitary conditions
• Ensure that exam rooms and medical staff work areas are kept clean and orderly and are stocked and ready for use
• Follow all departmental PPE and cleaning protocols
• Work in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies and requirements
• Assist in keeping supplies stocked by noting when supplies are running low; taking inventory and stocking supplies as needed

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic animal care, handling, and disease recognition; familiarity with veterinary hospital protocols and procedures
• Demonstrates willingness to learn and effectively communicate using veterinary medical terminology.
• Ability to provide appropriate care and handling for sick, injured, fearful, fractious, and/or aggressive cats and dogs
• Low-stress animal handling and restraint skills
• Strong organizational skills and a high level of attention to detail
• Communicate with team members successfully and courteously during in-person, phone, and email conversations
• Exhibit professionalism with stressful, time-sensitive and urgent situations
• Basic computer skills, including Excel, Microsoft Office, and email; familiarity with Pet Point or other shelter software systems is preferred
• Able to lift to 40 pounds, walk, bend, stand and reach constantly throughout at least a minimum 8-hour workday

Language

• English (required)
• Spanish (preferred)

Education and Work Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of 1-2 years prior animal handling/veterinary experience
• Experience working in an animal shelter preferred
• Fear Free certified or obtained within 60 days of work beginning

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,