Veterinary Nurse , Community Medicine - ASPCA

As a Veterinary Nurse in the Community Medicine team at ASPCA, I provide essential veterinary care to underserved communities, helping pets in need through spay/neuter services and preventive treatments. I work closely with veterinarians and fellow technicians, ensuring a safe and compassionate environment for both animals and clients, while also engaging in customer service and education. This role emphasizes the importance of animal welfare, offering a balanced work schedule and opportunities for professional development.

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:

Help animals in need! Our highly skilled technicians play a crucial role in our program, working as a team with CM veterinarians and assistants to provide essential services to the pets and rescue animals that need us most. The ASPCA’s Community Veterinary Clinic (CVC) offers high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN), preventive care and treatment for minor illnesses and injuries. CM technicians build a wide range of skills and you’ll use your education and license to its full extent exclusively concentrating on medical duties, working some days in spay/neuter surgery and others seeing appointments or assisting with out-patient procedures.

What you’ll get:

• Work/life balance:
  • paid vacation time to relax
  • paid sick time to heal
  • three paid continuing education days and a CE stipend to keep your skills sharp
  • ten paid holidays to observe
  • plus - paid personal time to celebrate what and when you like

• Terrific benefits package: medical, dental, and vision insurance, pre-tax dependent care and health flexible spending accounts (FSAs), 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions beginning after one year of service, employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance and more (note that benefits are subject to change annually)
• Room to grow: the ASPCA has robust professional development programs to help you grow as a medical professional and a person
• Support: we are one of the largest and most impactful animal welfare organizations in the world, so you will always have a strong team to lean on and cheer you on

Work Schedule

This is typically a Monday – Friday, 8 hour schedule with flexibility to work occasionally beyond the scheduled work day and Saturdays approximately once per quarter may be required.

Responsibilities:

Job Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Medical (60%)

• Care for 35-40 cats and dogs per day in spay/neuter surgery
• Administer injections including anesthetics, pain medications, vaccinations and other medications
• Intubate animals, place intravenous catheters, perform venipuncture and administer fluids as needed
• Monitor vital signs of sedated and anesthetized patients in pre-operative, operative, and post-operative phases
• Provide treatments and supportive care according to the CM Standard Operating Procedures and as directed by attending Veterinarian

• Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques
• Assist with patient exams, take medical history, perform diagnostic testing, and prepare medications to go home with the client/patient
• Maintain all necessary controlled substance drug logs and patient records
• Stay current in knowledge of emergency drugs and protocols
• Ensure anesthetic machines, pulse oximeters, scales, and other equipment are functional and report equipment that is not working properly
• Assist with humane euthanasia in accordance with ASPCA policy and CM protocols
• Work with coworkers to clean and disinfect animal areas, equipment, instruments and facility while utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment
• Provide support and medical services in special cases as needed, including evaluation of animals living in hoarding situations

Customer Service (30%)

• Communicate with all clients in a non-judgmental, effective and professional manner
• 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 (10%)

• Enter medical information into digital data bases as appropriate
• Represent ASPCA in a professional and courteous manner
• Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Follow all written and verbally communicated CM Standard Operating Procedures
• Collaborate and foster good communication with ASPCA colleagues
• Participate in veterinary/medical training of CM staff, ASPCA staff and veterinary and technical students by coaching, discussion, and demonstration
• Attend staff meetings and training sessions
• Perform other duties as assigned

Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
• Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
• Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
• Focuses on Impact , specifically making change for animals

Education:

• New graduates welcome! Must have graduated from accredited school of veterinary science technology (2 or 4 year program) or the equivalent as determined by the New York State Education Department.

Qualifications:

• Must have current New York State Veterinary Technician License (or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment)
• Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
• Surgery/Anesthesia experience preferred
• Excellent animal handling skills (cats, dogs)
• Excellent customer service skills
• 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 8 or more hours
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions
• Strong interest in animal welfare and serving unders