Veterinary Assistant, ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance

Summary:

ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance (ASNA) is the premier training center for high-quality, high-volume companion animal sterilization. Altering an average of 20,000 shelter, rescue, and publicly owned companion animals annually, ASNA has trained more than 6,500 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.        

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. 

The application for this position will be open until Monday, July 28 at 5pm EST.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 

Operational Support and Training (95%) 

• 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 

• Receive training in, and 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 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 

• Medical record keeping