Veterinary Assistant

Summary:

Lifesaving impact, rewarding careers: For more than 160 years, the ASPCA has been on the frontlines to save, transform and protect the lives of millions of animals. We are looking for a Veterinary Assistant to join a world-class team providing high-quality, high-volume spay sterilization services at our ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance facility to support lifesaving care and make a critical impact on the vulnerable animals who need us most.

The target start date for this position is January 2027.

Who We Are

ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance (ASNA) is the premier training center for high-quality, high-volume companion animal sterilization. Altering an average of 24,000 shelter, rescue, and publicly owned companion animals annually, ASNA has trained more than 7,000 veterinary professionals and fourth year veterinary student externs at our campus in Asheville, NC since 2005. ASNA is proud to set the bar for the standard of care in HQHVSN and provide world-class spay and neuter surgical instruction to veterinary professionals and students.       

What You’ll Do

The Veterinary Assistant (VA) is the mortar of the ASNA medical team which provides support to every aspect of daily medical and surgical operations. This versatile position is challenging, fast-paced, physically and mentally demanding, and extremely rewarding. The person in this role must possess excellent multi-tasking skills, diplomatic and outstanding communication, an innate ability to perform both independently and as a team member, and have an uncompromising determination to be high functioning and perform duties consistent with best practices.  Fundamental expectations for this role are providing impeccable care to surgery patients, eagerly assisting veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and kennel assistants in perioperative duties, participating in facility upkeep and maintenance, and enthusiastically hosting clients and visiting trainees. This position reports to the Manager, Medical Assistants (MMA) and is based in Asheville, North Carolina. Veterinary Assistants report directly to Manager, Medical Assistants and have no direct reports.

Where & When You’ll Work

• This position is an on-site role and reports to the ASPCA Spay Neuter Alliance in Asheville, NC.

• Regular schedules are rotating between two shifts:1st shift: Monday: 7:30-4:30, Tuesday-Thursday: 7-4, Friday: 7-11; and 2nd shift:  Monday-Thursday: 8:30-5:30, Friday: 8:30-12:30. Schedules are subject to change at the sole discretion of the ASPCA.

• This role requires flexibility in schedule to accommodate program needs, which could include varied daily shifts, weekends, evenings, and holidays

• Ability and willingness to travel up to 5% of the time as needed

What You’ll Get

Compensation

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.     

The target range for this position is $22-$23.44 per hour.

Benefits

At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage. 
• Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company paid holidays, and paid personal time off that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you. 
• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year. 
• Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field, and so much more.

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.  

Responsibilities:

Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance, and include, but are not limited to: 

Operational Support and Training

• Participate in relationships and communications with private sector veterinarians, professional associations, professional advisors, vendors, transport partners, public clients, mentees, and internal ASPCA departments and professionals
• Be well versed in ASNA/ASPCA protocols, procedures, and standards of care
• Participate in onboarding and training ASNA veterinary assistants and other staff
• Provide a safe and compassionate environment for staff, clients, and animals in ASNA care
• Master low-stress animal handling skills and implement these handling techniques consistently in all interactions with animals
• Instill the guiding principle that everyone can, and should, actively support the animals’ behavioral and mental health in everything they do
• Participate in mentoring visiting trainees relative to veterinary and kennel assistant duties
• Practice and encourage open and transparent communications in all interactions, seek out regular feedback from team and peers, and receive feedback in the constructive spirit intended
• Participate in overall ASNA facilities upkeep and maintenance including cleaning, inventory and stocking, and organization
• Drive transport vehicles as needed
• Perform the daily and supportive medical duties of a veterinary assistant which include but are not limited to: Flow of daily operations and surgical teams, Preparation of surgical patients, Anesthesia monitoring, Patient recovery, Patient emergency support, Oral, topical, and injectable medication administration, Surgical packs preparation, Equipment operation and maintenance, Inventory control, Upkeep and maintenance of medical, surgical, and kennel areas, Perform all duties of a kennel assistant as needed

Professional Development and Organizational Support

• Commit to operating in alignment with our Core Values of Commitment, Ownership, Team, Elevate, and Impact!
• Adhere to all policies related to operational and environmental safety of patients, staff, and visitors related directly to medical operations
• Serve in any surgical, medical, or training role as needed and support all daily operational processes to complete the day’s surgeries and training program goals successfully and safely
• Fully engage and participate in the self-performance management process including annual reviews, regular feedback sessions, required compliance training, and goal setting
• Maintain all licensures and credentials pertinent to the position  
• Actively seek individual development opportunities in relation to job function
• Under the supervision of the MMA, and in respect to role responsibilities, encourage and advocate for: Smooth and efficient operation of ASNA surgical, medical, and training programs, Program policies and strategies that support ASNA’s high standards of quality and best practices, All aspects of operations be enforced with campus wide consistency and adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations, A positive learning environment across campus supportive of ASNA culture
• Participate in assigned ASNA department and program specific projects, cross-departmental working groups, and any other assigned commitments to support ASPCA’s 2030 goals
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the MMA or the ASNA Senior Leadership Team

Qualifications

• Possess strong interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to multitask and deal professionally with high levels of stress in an environment of changing daily operational priorities
• Ability to work in both a team environment and independently
• Ability to work in physically and mentally challenging conditions
• Ability to understand that patient death is a regrettable but an inevitable part of the medical profession and adopt a healthy coping strategy for such events
• Able to provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history
• Possess working knowledge of basic computer/technology skills including email and Microsoft Word
• Ability to lift 35 lbs/16 kgs without assistance and over this weight with assistance, and the ability to consistently stand, bend, lift, and climb during the course of a regular work shift required
• Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies

Education and Work Experience:

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required
• At least 1 year of experience working in a professional setting required
• 1 year experience in professional companion animal handling in a clinical setting preferred
• Fear Free Shelter certification within 60 days of hire

Language:

English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

High School Diploma (Required)