Licensed Veterinary Technician

Summary:

If you are passionate about delivering high-quality nursing care to animals in need, and you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and complex environment, the position of Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) at the ASPCA Adoption Center & Kitten Nursery may be for you. In this hybrid position supporting both departments, you will closely partner with the veterinarians and other colleagues to deliver excellent patient care and will work collaboratively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders to further the ASPCA’s ultimate desired outcome that all animals live good lives.

Who Are We:

The Adoption Center and Kitten Nursery provides intake, holistic care, including medical and behavioral support and outcomes for animals in New York City that need us most.

Our population consists of five groups of animals:

1)           Animal victims of cruelty and neglect brought to us by the NYPD

2)           Animals brought to us through our Community Engagement team

3)           Underage kittens and other medically compromised stray animals

4)           Animals surrendered by their owners and in need of adoption into new homes

5)           Animals transferred in from shelter/rescue partners

The Adoption Center team utilizes and develops best practices for providing care and innovative placement strategies for these specialized populations. All medical care is provided within the parameters of the Adoption Center’s shelter medicine protocols. To succeed in this role, the LVT will be a highly conscientious team player dedicated to delivering quality, compassionate care and assisting the medical team and the larger adoptions team in helping animals move successfully to new homes.

The Kitten Nursery is a lifesaving foster program that coordinates the medical and behavioral care and foster placement for over 800 underage kittens each year. The Nursery accepts kittens from key partner shelters within NYC and from members of the public. Once these kittens are 8 weeks old, the Kitten Nursery helps them get ready for adoption through the ASPCA Adoption Center or transfer to partner shelters. During the months of March-November, the AC/KN LVT will split their time equally between the Adoption Center and Kitten Nursery. Outside of kitten season, the AC/KN LVT will spend half of their week supporting other ASPCA programs in NYC.

What You’ll Do:

The ACKN LVT reports directly to the Adoption Center Senior Manager of Medical Operations and has no direct reports. The ACKN LVT’s participation includes but is not limited to delivering compassionate nursing care and performing and assisting the veterinarians with examinations, treatments, and diagnostic testing procedures following low-stress handling principles and shelter medicine best practices. Success hinges on the ability to collaborate with other teams at the Adoption Center & Kitten Nursery to ensure the animals’ physical and behavioral needs are met on both an individual patient and population level.

Where and When You will Work:

• This position is an on-site role and reports to the ASPCA 92nd Street Adoption Center & Kitten Nursery location, located in New York, NY.
• Regular shifts for this position vary between 8 hours or 10 hours in duration.

What You will Get:

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 $34.60 - $40.00 per hour. This position is eligible for a signing and relocation bonus.

Benefits:

At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you 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 include 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 include 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. They include, but are not limited to:

Nursing Care and Veterinary Support

• Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques.
• Deliver high quality nursing with proficient technical skills, including, but not limited to venipuncture; catheter placement; administration of oral, topical, and injectable medications; diagnostic testing procedures; triage and basic examinations. 
• Perform exams and provide clinical care for healthy and medically compromised animals both on-site and/or in foster care according to AC/KN protocols, including primary responsibilities for initial intakes.
• Assess needs of animals to help determine appropriate placement within the shelter and/or in foster care, based on age, health, and behavior.
• Handle, administer, and log-controlled substances under the direction of a veterinarian and in accordance with AC/KN protocols.
• Feed and medicate patients following veterinarian instructions and standard operating procedures; Assist with bottle, syringe and tube feeding, and graduating kittens to the next stage of growth. 
• Coordinate, assist with and/or perform humane euthanasia under the supervision of staff veterinarians.
• Adhere to guidelines set forth in AC/KN protocols to prevent infectious disease.
• Assist with cleaning and disinfection as requested.
• Work to support other NYC ASPCA departments (including the ASPCA Animal Hospital, Animal Recovery Center, Community Medicine, and Community Engagement) as assigned during the Kitten Nursery’s off-season.
• Responsibility for coordinating and performing sedated exams
• Perform DOH exit exams.  

Record-Keeping and Communication

• Ensure accurate and timely data entry to animals’ medical records, including transfer of information from other ASPCA departments’ software systems and diagnostic test results from outside laboratories.
• Adequately document observations and all relevant information to ensure complete and accurate medical records are maintained in accordance with ASPCA policies and applicable laws and regulations. Competently and compassionately explain information about an animal’s condition to other AC/KN staff members, volunteers, foster caregivers, and adopters with easily understood language. 
• Attend and actively participate in daily rounds, round medical charts.
• Engage in providing input and feedback about operational changes; learn, implement, and follow all departmental policies and protocols.
• Ensure that exam rooms and medical staff work areas are kept clean and orderly and are stocked and ready for use; take inventory and stock supplies as needed.
• Follow all departmental personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning protocols.
• Obtain continuing education as required by ASPCA and state licensing board.
• Work in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies and requirements
• Provide training and oversight of volunteer and support staff.

Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community:

If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, please join our Talent Community to stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of animal care, handling, and disease recognition; familiarity with veterinary hospital and/ or shelter protocols and procedures
• Able to provide appropriate care and handling for fearful, aggressive, and/or fractious populations; able to work effectively with a highly vulnerable population with a naturally higher mortality rate.
• Proficient technical nursing and Low-stress animal handling and restraint skills.
• Possess critical thinking and multi-tasking skills; able to quickly adjust focus and shift priorities based on patient and ACKN needs.
• Able to work efficiently and calmly both as a member of the team and independently with minimal supervision.
• Work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions; demonstrate flexibility with work assignments and unique tasks.
• Able to quickly adjust focus and shift priorities based on Adoption Center, Kitten Nursery and patient needs.
• Strong organizational skills and an elevated level of diligence.
• Able to maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols.
• Ensure and maintain high-quality standards of care, work ethic, and performance; work independently without supervision and as part of a team. Communicate with team members successfully and courteously during in-person, phone, and email conversations; strong customer service skills.
• Exhibit professionalism with stressful, time-sensitive, and urgent situations.
• Basic computer skills, including Excel, Microsoft Office, and email; familiarity with Pet Point or other shelter software systems a plus.
• Able to lift to 40 pounds, walk, bend, stand and reach constantly throughout at least a minimum 8-hour workday.
• Able to walk, bend, stand and reach consistently for 10 or more hours.
• Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies

Education and Work Experience:

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a school of veterinary science technology for the training of animal health technicians
• NYS license Veterinary Technology required
• Minimum of 1 year clinical experience working as a veterinary technician
• Experience working in a shelter setting preferred
• Training and/or experience in the care of neonate and orphaned kittens preferred.

Additional Information: 

• Fear Free Shelter and Fear Free Veterinary certification is required within 60 days of hire. 

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