Veterinary Assistant

Are you looking for a job where you can truly change lives, have an impact and make a difference every day? The Ulster County SPCA is looking for an organized, enthusiastic team member with a passion for animal welfare and great people skills for our fast-paced animal shelter.

The Clinic Veterinary Assistant supports the veterinarian and technician in their daily tasks by administering prescribed medications and treatments, cleaning and maintaining equipment, feeding, monitoring and grooming animals, preparing and sanitizing exam rooms and medical housing spaces, restraining and handling animals, and completing clerical and administrative tasks.

Specific Duties:

· Assist the Veterinarian and/or Surgery Technician (LVT) by preparing, positioning and restraining animals for surgical operations/procedures, catheterization, intubation and recovery observing all clinic procedures to ensure sterility and safety of patients

· Intake and discharge patients, including providing client information and post-op instructions, dispensing medications and establishing recheck appointments

· Clean, sterilize and maintain shelter medical spaces, exam rooms and storage areas and associated equipment including surgical instruments, packs and drapes

· Clean and fold surgical laundry

· Complete administrative duties, e.g., restocking, cleaning, organizing, filing, phone calls, etc., as directed

Minimum Qualifications

Education

· High school graduate

· Veterinary Assistant certification or equivalent education preferred

Experience

· 1 or more years of experience in veterinary care preferred, preferably in a shelter environment, or equivalent medical position

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

· Fear Free humane animal care/husbandry and handling skills, to include safe handling/restraint techniques with animals of all temperaments, ability to interpret animal body language, ability to determine breed, reproductive status and age, and understanding of medical terminology, techniques and procedures.

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills, to include effectively handling high-stress, emotionally-charged situations

· Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously while meeting deadlines; must be detail-oriented, reliable, and able to rapidly and accurately process information

· Ability to create and sustain positive working relationships with staff, volunteers, and the public, and be a team player while also working independently; must work well with people from a variety of backgrounds

· Strong customer service/sales skills

· Proficiency in computer applications, including MS Office, etc.

Critical Demands

· Veterinary Assistants work a standard 40-hour work week.

· Possess valid, unrestricted driver’s license and submission to a background check.

· Must have good vision (close, distant, color, peripheral, depth, and focus) and hearing skills, and speak clearly.

· Required to frequently sit, stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, stoop, kneel and/or crouch. Must be able to regularly lift and/or move 50 pounds or more.

· Constantly moving about the shelter/clinic to handle animals of all sizes in a variety of areas and positions

· Daily exposure to animal odors and/or airborne particles

· Noise level in the work environment is moderate

Pay & Benefits:

Pay is $16.00 - $21.64, commensurate with experience, with holiday pay and bonuses and longevity bonuses.

5-day workweek, Mon-Fri; no evenings or weekends

Health insurance (medical/dental/vision), life insurance

Paid sick time, paid vacation/personal time, paid family leave

Employee Assistance Program, employee discount, uniforms/scrubs provided

Interested candidates should include a cover letter with resume.

The Ulster County SPCA is a private nonprofit animal welfare organization. We are not a part of the County government or the ASPCA.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $21.64 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Veterinary assistant: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Kingston, NY 12401 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $22