Veterinary Assistant (Full-Time)

Reports to Hospital Manager

The Richmond SPCA is a non-profit organization located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. As a leader in the field of animal welfare, we are cultivating a community committed to saving, protecting and enriching animal lives with a mission to provide education and resources to achieve and sustain a no-kill community. Annually, we rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for about 4,000 homeless animals while also providing our region with vital safety net programs designed to keep thousands of pets in loving homes and out of shelters. Our values of collaboration, creativity, honesty, inclusion and respect guide not only what we do – but how we do it.  

The Richmond SPCA’s Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital is a full-service, low-cost hospital with a mission to provide quality, accessible care to our community. On our hospital team, veterinary assistants perform basic diagnostic and treatment tasks, communicate with pet guardians during appointments, keep workspaces clean, assist with surgical prep and recovery of pet patients, and provide support to our licensed Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and Licensed Veterinary Technicians.

Essential Functions

• Perform basic diagnostic and treatment tasks related to patient care after appropriate training period (ear cleaning, administration of vaccines, basic rapid testing, etc.)
• Communicate effectively and compassionately with pet guardians during appointments, include delivering education and counseling, and relay appropriate information to licensed staff
• Handling (leash-walking, lifting, and carrying) and medical restraint of dog and cat patients; placing and securing dogs and cats in carriers/kennels
• Provide support to licensed Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and Licensed Veterinary Technicians
• Assist with high-volume surgery via surgical prep and recovery of dogs and cats
• Perform clerical work, data entry into patient charts, and invoicing promptly and accurately, as needed
• Recognize abnormalities necessitating attention related to patient care (basic VITAL signs, triage protocols, etc.)
• Follow established operational protocols, patient care standards, safety guidelines, equipment handling procedures, and documentation requirements to ensure consistent, efficient, and compliant hospital operations
• Maintain client confidentiality
• Clean workspaces, exam rooms, kennels, and surgical areas, including sweeping, dusting, mopping, emptying trash, restocking supplies
• Participate in required trainings and meetings
• Other related duties as assigned

Qualifications, Skills, and Expectations

• Alignment with the Richmond SPCA’s mission to achieve and sustain a no-kill community including promoting pet adoption and spaying/neutering
• Effective, professional and empathetic customer service skills and communication (written and verbal) with the public, volunteers, and all Richmond SPCA employees
• Attitude that contributes to a welcoming, accessible, compassionate and respectful atmosphere
• Commitment to the wellbeing of pet patients and clients
• Basic medical knowledge or capacity to learn basic medical terminology and procedures
• Ability to multi-task, follow directions (written and verbal), adapt, and accommodate changing demands productively
• Ability to respond appropriately during an emergency and to take direction from licensed veterinary staff and/or management
• Ability to provide productive feedback to management
• Strong work ethic, reliability, punctuality
• Resourcefulness and ability to work independently in a mature, professional, and productive capacity
• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to recognize a need for assistance and ask for help
• Strong time management and prioritization skills
• Computer skills and ability to learn new computer systems; knowledge of DaySmart Vet a plus
• Experience working in the veterinary field preferred, but not required
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred, but not required

• Comfort handling or learning to handle dogs and including fearful or fractious patients
• Weekday availability; early morning and evening availability required (no nights or holidays)
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have reliable transportation, including during inclement weather

Physical Job Requirements

• Able to work with animals (including those who are sick or injured or who have behavior challenges) and around loud noises, cat litter, animal waste, allergens (pet dander, peanut butter), various chemicals, and disinfectants
• Able to routinely lift 50 pounds
• Able to push/pull a large cart
• Able to bend, kneel, stoop, use stairs and use your arms in a repetitive manner
• Able to physically restrain a dog weighing up to 50 pounds
• Able to be on your feet for a 10-hour shift
• Willing to work in all weather conditions
• Have physical strength to perform cleaning duties effectively and efficiently

Work Environment

• Supportive, collaborative team environment that encourages and celebrates creativity and resourcefulness
• High-volume, fast-paced environment
• Potential for animal bites and scratches and zoonotic disease (transmitted from animals to people)

Richmond SPCA employees are eligible to become clients of our low-cost, full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital and have access to an Employee Assistance Program. Employees who average 15+ hours per week are eligible for voluntary (employee-paid) benefits including accident insurance, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance. Employees who average 20+ hours a week can participate in our 401(k) retirement plan and have access to paid wellness leave.

Full-time employees are eligible for insurance benefits, including medical, dental, and vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and paid personal leave.

The Richmond SPCA is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.