Veterinary Services Assistant
Job Description: Veterinary Services Assistant
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: $17.00 - $20.00 per hour
Summary/Objective:
Richmond Animal League (RAL) is seeking a Full-Time Veterinary Services Assistant responsible for providing hands-on medical care and record keeping for dogs and cats in care. This role demands veterinary medical skills, independent decision-making ability, following protocols, efficiency, and compassion for humans and animals.
Essential Functions:
Medical Care: Administer medications and treatments as directed by the shelter veterinarian or senior staff, including oral and injectable medications. Initiate treatment plans based on established protocols. Collect and process samples (ex blood, urine, skin, and ears) for in-house laboratory tests, take radiographs, and prepare specimens for external submission. Coordinate appointments and transport pets to off-site veterinarians/specialists.
Animal Care and Health Monitoring: Provide animal care, including feeding, exercise, medicating, and bathing, as needed. Monitor physical & behavioral health by observing for signs of stress, illness, injury, or abnormal behavior. Document findings and coordinate appropriate follow-up care.
Administrative Tasks: Maintain record-keeping integrity, including documenting treatments and observations and updating electronic files. Regularly auditing records and run reports to ensure completeness and accuracy.
Volunteer Training and Management: Collaborate with volunteers, providing training and assistance.
Customer Service: Ensure exceptional customer service to all visitors, volunteers, and members of the public. This includes assisting members of the public with any issues they may bring to RAL’s attention and responding to all concerns in a timely and professional manner.
Flexibility and Teamwork: Display initiative, time management skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a dynamic team environment.
Emergency Response: Assist in emergencies, such as natural disasters or animal health crises, to ensure the safety and well-being of animals.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Competencies: Initiative, interpersonal skills, time management, organizational skills, strong attention to detail, written and spoken communication skills, effective decision making, ability to work collaboratively, ability to work independently, basic computer skills, basic to advanced medical terminology knowledge, advanced animal handling experience, and basic veterinary assistant skills. Must complete Fear Free Sheltering class in the first 60 days of employment.
Supervisory Responsibility: This position has no direct staff supervisory responsibilities but does support RAL volunteers across multiple volunteer roles.
Work Environment: The work environment includes the shelter and clinic, which can have high noise levels, exposure to cleaning chemicals, animal-related allergens, and potential for bites and scratches. Physical demands may include lifting, extensive walking, bending, and standing. Work will occur both indoors and outdoors. Must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs independently.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time non-exempt position. This role will require evening and weekend work, and some holiday hours will be necessary. An on-call rotation may be included in the future. Regular and reliable attendance is essential.
Schedule:
8 or 10-hour shift
On call possible
One weekend day per week
Work Location: In person
Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Required Education & Experience:
High school diploma or equivalent
21 years of age or older
At least one year of paid experience in hands-on animal care / veterinary medicine
Strong communication skills
Ability to effectively work with diverse groups of individuals
Basic animal handling skills
Must have a valid driver’s license
Bilingual speakers are encouraged to apply and will be compensated
Benefits:
Dental Insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Continuing Education
If you are interested in this position, please send your resume to anne@ral.org. No phone calls, please.
