Temporary Veterinary Assistant - Adoption Center

About the role

The ASPCA's Adoption Center in New York City provides intake, holistic care and placement support for animals in need. The Adoptions Veterinary Assistant (AVA) is a key member of the medical team, working alongside veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians to deliver compassionate care and share animals' health status with staff, volunteers and the public. This is a temporary, contingent position filled through a third-party staffing agency.

Key responsibilities

• Nursing care: observe animals for illness, injury or poor welfare and record findings on monitoring sheets, medical records and with licensed personnel (e.g., DOH exit exams, post-op rechecks)
• Accurate data entry into medical records, including transfer of information from other ASPCA software systems and external lab results
• Prepare samples for outside laboratories and handle and restrain animals for procedures using low-stress techniques
• Feed and medicate patients according to veterinarian instructions and standard operating procedures
• Take part in daily huddles on clinical pathways, including humane euthanasia considerations
• Transport animals and their records between departments, such as the Animal Hospital and Community Medicine
• Maintain exam rooms and work areas, keep animals in comfortable, sanitary conditions and follow PPE and cleaning protocols
• Keep supplies stocked and take inventory

Required profile

• High school diploma or equivalent
• At least 1-2 years of prior animal handling or veterinary experience
• Experience in an animal shelter preferred
• Fear Free certification or completion within 60 days of starting
• Ability to lift 40 pounds and stand, walk, bend and reach for an 8-hour day
• English required; Spanish preferred

Required skills

• Basic animal care, handling and disease recognition
• Low-stress animal restraint and handling
• Basic computer skills, including Excel and Microsoft Office
• Familiarity with Pet Point or other shelter software preferred

Pay range: $23-$25 per hour, subject to change; schedule includes Thursday to Sunday, 7:00am-5:00pm EST, possibly modified.