Veterinary Technician

Morris Animal Refuge; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 20,664 - 23,419; Full time

Job summary

An animal shelter in Philadelphia is seeking a Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) dedicated to providing compassionate care for animals. The VCA will support veterinarians in delivering medical care and assist with animal maintenance tasks. Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED and experience in animal welfare. This position offers a competitive wage starting at $15–17/hr and requires full-time commitment with possible variable hours.

Qualifications

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED; additional education preferred.
• Experience in animal welfare and shelters is required.
• Proficiency in computers is essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians with animal care and examinations.
• Perform daily cleaning and feeding tasks for animals.
• Enter data accurately in shelter management system.

Skills

Problem-solving ability

Communication skills

Animal care knowledge

Computer proficiency

Education

High School diploma or GED

Experience in animal welfare

Tools

Shelterluv Animal Management Software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Please send your resumes and cover letters to the Operations Manager, Josiah Ortiz, [e-mail].

SUMMARY:

The Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) is a vital member of the MAR team, providing compassionate and attentive care to all animals under the shelter’s care. The primary focus of this role is assisting veterinarians and the medical team with all tasks related to veterinary care, while also supporting the Animal Care team as needed. The VCA helps maintain a healthy and enriched environment for animals and ensures all medical and care procedures are executed efficiently.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

Veterinary / Medical Responsibilities:

• Communicate exam findings and provide direct support to the veterinarian with adopted, foster, and shelter animals.
• Complete thorough medical examinations while working alongside veterinarians, medical staff, and animal care staff.
• Assist the medical team with foster and clinic appointments as needed, including managing weekly foster appointments for booster vaccinations or minor medical issues.
• Administer medication and treatments to shelter pets as scheduled.
• Read and interpret medical records to determine vaccination status and medication needs.
• Perform and assist with initial shelter exams and vaccinations of animals newly intaked or transferred into the shelter.
• Examine and care for sick shelter animals, including observing for illness, following disease prevention protocols, and understanding common diseases, symptoms, and transmission.
• Assist the veterinarian with general surgeries, including inducing and preparing patients for routine spay, neuter, dentals, and other specialty procedures.
• Assist with euthanasia procedures as needed, including general training in the procedure and maintaining euthanasia drugs under direct supervision.
• Maintain the cleanliness and readiness of surgery and dispensary exam rooms, including restocking, cleaning, and preparing materials as needed.

Animal Care Responsibilities:

• Perform daily and thorough cleaning for all animals, including feeding and providing necessary enrichment to sustain their mental well-being.
• Exercise, observe, and care for animals, reporting any health or behavioral concerns to medical or animal care staff.
• Assist the Animal Care team as needed, serving as a flexible support resource across the shelter.

Administrative & Customer Service Responsibilities:

• Timely and accurate data entry into the shelter’s software management system for all animals, including intake processing (surrenders, strays, transfers) and outcomes (adoptions, return to owner, transfers).
• Assist prospective adopters/ fosters or surrenderers over the phone and schedule appointments for shelter visits as appropriate.
• Properly handle all fees and donations given to the Morris Animal Refuge, including cash, debit, credit, or check transactions.

Other Duties:

• Must be able to lift up to forty (40) pounds over short distances as needed.
• Janitorial duties, including laundry, cleaning of shelter grounds (inside and outside), sweeping, mopping, and trash removal.
• Perform other job-related tasks as directed to support the shelter’s operations, veterinary, and animal care teams.

This job description intends to provide a representative list of duties and responsibilities and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total tasks of the position. Employees may be directed to perform other job-related tasks as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• High School diploma or GED required; some college, trade, vocational school, or further education preferred.
• In lieu of educational credentials, applicants with equivalent work experience will be considered
• Must be proficient in using a computer.
• Knowledge of Gmail, Google Drive, Shelterluv Animal Management Software, and Microsoft Office Suite Programs is a plus.
• Must be knowledgeable in domestic animals, including breeds, behavior, appropriate housing, common health ailments, and disease symptoms.
• Experience working in animal welfare, shelters, or rescues is required.
• Experience working as a veterinary assistant or technician is recommended, but not required.

QUALITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Able to creatively solve problems and work cooperatively with team members.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic and quickly learn drug calculations for various treatments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working humanely with animals of unknown disposition and those who may exhibit medical or behavioral problems.
• Self-motivated and passionate about animal welfare.
• Detail-oriented and able to work on multiple tasks simultaneously.

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

Operations Manager

HOURS FLSA STATUS:

Non-Exempt Position

• Full-time position requires a minimum of seven and a half (7.5) hours per day, thirty-seven and a half (37.5) hours per week.
• Part-time position hours are dictated by the needs of the organization.
• Daily hours and days of the week (for both full and part-time positions) may vary according to the needs of the department schedule, including days, nights, weekends, holidays, and on‑call work.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

• Competitive wage commensurate with experience, starting at $15–17/hr.

EMPLOYMENT:

• There is no minimum period of employment guaranteed or implied by acceptance of an employment offer.
• Employment is at‑will; either party may terminate employment at any time.
• The Executive Director has final authority over employment decisions.