Veterinary Assistant, ASPCA Spay​/Neuter Alliance

Summary

Lifesaving impact, rewarding careers:
For more than 150 years, the ASPCA has been on the front lines to save, transform and protect the lives of millions of animals. We are looking for a Veterinary Assistant to join a world‑class team providing high‑quality, high‑volume spay sterilization services at our ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance facility to support lifesaving care and make a critical impact on the vulnerable animals who need us most.

ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance (ASNA) is the premier training center for high‑quality, high‑volume companion animal sterilization. Altering an average of 20,000 shelter, rescue, and publicly owned companion animals annually, ASNA has trained more than 6,500 veterinary professionals and fourth‑year veterinary student externs at our campus in Asheville, NC since 2005. ASNA sets the bar for the standard of care in HQHVSN and provides world‑class spay and neuter surgical instruction to veterinary professionals and students.

The Veterinary Assistant (VA) is the mortar of the ASNA medical team, providing support to every aspect of daily medical and surgical operations. This versatile, fast‑paced, physically and mentally demanding position requires excellent multitasking, diplomacy, outstanding communication, and an uncompromising determination to perform best practices.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide impeccable care to surgery patients and assist veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and kennel assistants in perioperative duties.

• Participate in facility upkeep and maintenance, including cleaning, inventory, and organization.

• Host clients and visiting trainees with enthusiasm.

• Assist in training ASNA veterinary assistants and other staff.

• Support overall ASNA surgical, medical, and training programs under the supervision of the Manager, Medical Assistants (MMA).

• Perform all duties of a kennel assistant as needed.

• This is an on‑site role at ASPCA Spay Neuter Alliance in Asheville, NC.

• Flexible scheduling is required to accommodate program needs, including varied daily shifts, weekends, evenings, and holidays.

• Target start date:
  May 4, 2026.

Compensation

• Target hourly range: $22‑$23.44.

Benefits

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer‑paid dental, and optional vision coverage.

• Flexible time off: vacation, sick, bereavement, paid parental leave, 10 paid holidays, and paid personal time.

• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings, including a 401(k) plan with dollar‑for‑dollar match up to 4% and an additional 4% contribution.

• Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on‑the‑job training, coaching, mentorship, and internal mobility.

• Participate in relationships and communications with private sector veterinarians, professional associations, advisors, vendors, transport partners, public clients, mentees, and internal ASPCA departments.

• Be well versed in ASNA/ASPCA protocols, procedures, and standards of care.

• Participate in onboarding and training of ASNA veterinary assistants and other staff.

• Provide a safe and compassionate environment for staff, clients, and animals in ASNA care.

• Master low‑stress animal handling skills and implement these techniques consistently.

• Instill the guiding principle that everyone can, and should, support the animals’ behavioral and mental health.

• Mentor visiting trainees relative to veterinary and kennel assistant duties.

• Encourage open and transparent communication, seek regular feedback, and receive constructive input.

• Participate in overall ASNA facilities upkeep and maintenance, including cleaning, inventory, stocking, and organization.

• Drive transport vehicles as needed.

• Perform daily and supportive medical duties of a veterinary assistant, including surgical patient flow, preparation, anesthesia monitoring, recovery, emergency support, medication administration, surgical pack preparation, equipment operation and maintenance, inventory control, and upkeep of medical, surgical, and kennel areas.

• Perform all duties of a kennel assistant as needed.

• Commit to operating in alignment with core values of Commitment, Ownership,…