Senior Veterinary Assistant, Mobile Veterinary Services

Summary:

Who we are:

Have you ever wondered what happens to cats and dogs whose owners are unable to afford veterinary care? We did. The ASPCA’s Community Medicine (CM) team provides expert veterinary care to support the welfare of animals and their people through our stationary and mobile veterinary clinics, serving the most underserved communities in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. We help pet owners overcome barriers to care, bringing quality services directly to the communities that need us most and partially or fully subsidizing the cost of basic and preventive care. CM treats people and pets with dignity and respect, assisting pet owners in making informed decisions about their pets’ health and wellbeing regardless of their financial circumstances. When you come to work at the ASPCA, you join a team of over 1,000 dedicated colleagues with deep knowledge, skills, and passion for the animals we serve.

What you’ll do:

The Senior Veterinary Assistant (SVA) - Mobile Veterinary Services (MVS) is a vital member of our veterinary medical team. The SVA supports two program functions - mobile spay/neuter surgery and mobile primary pet care – for pet cats and dogs at various locations in the Greater Los Angeles Area. The SVA drives the mobile clinic from our logistics center in Paramount to each day’s clinic location to meet the rest of the medical team. Throughout the day, SVAs communicate with clients about their pet’s care, assist the veterinarian and technician with animal handling, preparing animals for surgery, entering medical records, and monitoring patients while they are under anesthesia. At the end of the clinic day, the SVA helps clean and restock the clinic and then drives it back to Paramount so it is ready for service the following day.  

What you’ll get:

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage, as well as employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance.

• Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, and company paid holidays. We also provide 1 week of paid personal time so you can 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.

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 hiring range for this role is $25.00 - $26.44 per hour

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

Work Schedule and Location

This is a full-time position, approximately 10 hours a day (including driving time), 4 days a week between Monday through Friday. The position requires flexibility to work occasionally beyond the scheduled work day. This position is primarily based at the ASPCA Mobile Clinics throughout the Greater LA area, however, the person in this position may be required to report to our South LA Spay/Neuter Clinic. Assignment to a particular mobile clinic is subject to change based on operational needs.

Responsibilities:

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

Medical

• Care for cats and dogs each day presenting for spay/neuter surgery up to calculated clinic capacity

• Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques during various procedures (examples: exams, treatments, injections, venipuncture, intubation)

• Monitor vital signs of sedated and anesthetized patients in pre-operative, operative, and post-operative phases

• Assist with patient exams, take medical history, perform diagnostic testing, and prepare medications to go home with the client/patient

• Take direction regarding medical protocols and animal care from the clinic veterinarian or veterinary technician

• Organize and maintain pre-operative area and operating room for patient anesthesia, surgical preparation and sterilization

• Ensure anesthesia machines, pulse oximeters, scales, and other equipment are functional and report equipment that is not working properly

• Clean, sonicate, pack, and sterilize surgical instruments and endotracheal tubes

• Work with coworkers to clean and disinfect animal areas and facility while utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment

 

Customer Service

• Communicate with all clients in a non-judgmental, effective and professional manner

• Greet clients and assist with the intake process, including assisting clients in filling out intake and service documents, flag relevant medical history

• Communicate basic veterinary medical concepts to clients, including, but not limited to vaccine protocols and anesthetic risks

• Explain information provided by the veterinarian about an animal’s condition to clients

 

Other

• Safely drive and park mobile clinics to and from various locations in Los Angeles County

• Operate and troubleshoot mobile clinic generators

• Enter medical information into digital data bases as appropriate

• Represent ASPCA in a professional and courteous manner

• Provide medical information and representation to other ASPCA departments

• Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of Transportation (DOT)

• Follow all written and verbally communicated CM Standard Operating Procedures

• Collaborate and foster good communication with ASPCA colleagues

• Participate in the training of CM staff by coaching, discussion, and demonstration

• Attend staff meetings and training sessions

• Perform other duties as assigned

 

Qualifications: 

• Experience using a computer and navigating software applications

• Ability to lift and carry 40-plus pounds repeatedly throughout day with assistance

• Ability to work standing for 10 or more hours

• Fear Free® Shelter certification is required within 60 days of hire

• Driving requirements:

• Must be willing and comfortable learning to drive our 37’ Mobile Clinics (training provided by ASPCA)

• Must provide a valid driver’s license upon hire

• Must pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history

• Must pass a Department of Transportation Medical Exam

• Excellent customer service skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Ability to work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions

• Must maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols

• Excellent animal handling skills (cats, dogs)

• Strong interest in animal welfare and serving underserved communities

• Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies.

 

Education and Work Experience 

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required

• Minimum 1 year animal handling in a professional setting preferred, veterinary medical experience preferred

• Veterinary medical experience preferred

 

Language: 

English (Required) 

Bilingual (Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese, etc.) Strongly Preferred 

 

Language:

Education and Work Experience: