Temporary Hospital Veterinary Assistant

Overview

As a Temporary Hospital Veterinary Assistant (HVA) at the ASPCA Animal Hospital, you’ll play a vital role caring for animals who have experienced cruelty and neglect, while working alongside a dedicated team focused on eliminating barriers to essential veterinary care—ensuring every pet receives compassionate, high-quality treatment, no matter their owner's financial circumstances.

Who We Are

AAH provides expert, urgent medical care to some of NYC’s most vulnerable animals. As a component of the NYC safety net system, we provide subsidized care for animals whose owners are experiencing financial challenges and could not otherwise afford medical care for their pet. We also provide medical care for animals who come to us through our internal partners, including victims of cruelty and neglect as part of our partnership with the NYPD. 

The ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH), is passionate about minimizing fear, anxiety, and stress and pain in our patients. Team members in this position are responsible for providing services and communication to clients, members of the public, co-workers, and patients that are consistent with our practice’s standards and Fear Free values.

What You’ll Do

A temporary AAH Hospital Vet Assistant (HVA) reports directly to the AAH Floor Manager and has no direct reports. As an HVA at the ASPCA Animal Hospital, you’ll play a vital role in supporting our veterinarians and technicians as they provide compassionate, high-quality medical care to our patients. You will assist veterinarians during examinations, procedures, and treatments, and help safely handle and restrain animals to ensure their comfort and safety. You’ll be responsible for preparing exam rooms, surgical areas, and equipment, as well as cleaning and sterilizing instruments and hospital spaces to maintain a clean and safe environment.

Your duties will also include feeding, exercising, and monitoring animals that are hospitalized, along with administering medications and treatments under supervision. Keeping accurate patient records and documentation is an important part of the role, as is communicating clearly and professionally with clients. Additionally, you’ll help with general hospital operations like restocking supplies and managing inventory to keep the hospital running smoothly.

Temporary Role Details

• This is a temporary, contingent position and the person hired will be employed through a third-party staffing agency. 

• The target hiring range for this temporary role is $24 per hour and may be modified in the future.

Where and When You’ll Work

• This position is an on-site role and reports to the ASPCA Animal Hospital at 424 E 92nd Street in Manhattan.

• The intended schedule for this position is Monday - Thursday, from 10a – 8p.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Medical and Nursing Care

• Assist Veterinarians and LVTs with general duties in all departments

• Treat animals and clients with care and respect, providing compassionate, low-stress patient care to all patients utilizing the AAH Fear Free guidelines.

• Proficiency in animal handling and restraint for medical procedures

• Capture radiographs while practicing AAH Fear Free protocols

• Knowledge and ability to intake and release patients and competently explain medications, physical therapy, and warning signs

• Monitor and document vital signs. Capable of recognizing abnormal values and immediately communicating concerns to LVTs /Veterinarians

• Assist with inpatient nursing care as directed by LVTs including and not limited to bottle-feeding neonates, administrating oral, topical and ophthalmic medications, performing physical therapy, running in-house tests (a-Stat, BG, PCV, TS, etc.) and preparing samples for laboratory pick-ups

• Prepare patients for treatment room and surgical procedures, observing all hospital policies, to enforce sterility and safety of patients

• Follow LVT/Veterinarian directions during emergencies and maintain competency in CPR

• Ensure prompt and accurate documentation of treatments and procedures and communicate patient concerns or observed changes to LVTs /Veterinarians

• Safely lift and transport patients up to 40 pounds

• Walk dogs outside in any weather as instructed

Operational Support

• Follow all PPE protocols while cleaning and disinfecting all hospital departments including treatment, surgery, wards, exam rooms, and kennels

• Follow all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• Follow all written and verbally communicated departmental Standard Operating Procedures

• Set up wards and treatment, exam, and operating rooms for patient procedures, anesthesia, surgery, and support pack and prep room responsibilities

• Ensure equipment in all areas is functional and report equipment malfunctions to management

• Take inventory and stock supplies as needed in all departments

• Effectively prioritize the needs of trainees, patients, and the veterinary medical support staff

Professionalism and Training

• Represent ASPCA in a professional and courteous manner

• Support organization and departmental policies and protocols

• Communicate in an effective and professional manner with clients, the public, and all ASPCA staff members to ensure the safety and compassionate care of our patients

• Adopt a learner mind-set demonstrating willingness to learn, implement, and teach policies

• Support onboarding and coach assigned trainees through responsibilities and patient care

• Provide management with regular feedback about training needs, new hires, coworkers, interns, hospital operations, etc.

• Ensure and maintain high quality standard of care, work ethic, and performance

• Work calmly and efficiently under challenging conditions; independently and as part of a team

• Attend staff meetings and training sessions

• Advise supervisor of unsafe conditions including hazards or infractions of safety rules

Qualifications

• Ability to comprehend veterinary medical concepts to support patient needs

• Possess excellent customer service skills

• Basic to advanced computer skills, including Excel, Microsoft Office, and proficiency in Impromed preferred

Language

• English (Required)

• Bilingualism (fluent in English and Spanish) preferred but not required

Education and Work Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent

• Bachelor’s degree preferred

• 1 - 3 years of veterinary hospital and/or shelter experience preferred

• 1 - 2 years’ experience in an animal care role or equivalent

Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community:
If you are interested in joining our team but don't feel this position fits your experience or interests, please check out our other open opportunities or consider joining our Talent Community .

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

Our EEO Policy:
The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

Applicant Notices : Applicants have rights under federal employment laws: Equal Employment Opportunity ; Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) ; Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ; Uniformed Services Employment Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) . Candidates residing in CA, CO, Flagstaff (AZ), IL, IN, Los Angeles (CA), Los Angeles County (CA), MA, ME, NJ, NM, NYC, OR, Philadelphia (PA), RI, San Francisco (CA), and WI should click here for additional information about general applicant notices.