Shelter Medical Assistant

Shelter Medical Assistant - New York, NY

The Best Friend's Mission is to do nothing short of making history by bringing about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets. Our goal is that every animal shelter in every community in the country be no kill.

The fact is, we have a great culture, populated by fun, dedicated, and brilliant people. But we're always looking for talented people who can help us make history, and that's where you come in.

This position’s hiring range is anticipated to be $24 - $25 per hour, depending on experience, plus great benefits!

Veterinary Specialists provide high quality medical care for animals in Best Friends lifesaving and veterinary programs. They are responsible for daily medical activities and supporting Best Friends veterinarians. Veterinary Specialists act with urgency to accomplish important tasks and play a direct role in achieving Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill mission and organizational success. Specialists may receive intensive assignments in a particular program, based on organizational needs.

Senior Specialists have an increased level of responsibility or skills, and the ability to make on-the-spot decisions to accomplish tasks.

• Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness and positive influence with each other, our visitors, and volunteers as well as to the animals every day. This includes listening, being present, being supportive of others and demonstrating compassion and curiosity in conflict.
• Perform basic medical care including but not limited to intravenous injections, blood draws, medicating, vaccinating, subcutaneous fluids, catheter placement, and microchipping under the direction of a veterinarian; have a comprehensive knowledge of sterile techniques, basic knowledge of surgical instruments, and general pharmacology, anesthesia monitoring, surgical induction and recovery; skilled understanding of humane restraint for medical procedures and emergency stabilization procedures.
• Maintain a clean and disinfected working environment, maintain controlled substance logs, accurately enter, and maintain patient and client medical data.
• Support, empower and enable volunteers and foster parents with the goal of utilizing volunteers to expand Best Friends lifesaving capacity; assist with client communications including aftercare and emergency support.
• Provide basic care such as feeding, cleaning, walking, and socialization for animals temporarily housed or transported within Lifesaving Center vehicles, buildings, or facilities.
• Deliver superior customer service; communicate (or develop communications) about and maintain knowledge of Best Friends and community partner programs.
• Work collaboratively with Best Friends’ team members in all areas of operations to achieve lifesaving goals; follow Best Friends policies, procedures, and task lists for daily lifesaving outcome assignments, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
• Maintain a safe workplace, value, and model safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and communicating to leadership about unsafe practices and conditions.

• Some formal education from an AVMA accredited veterinary technician certification program preferred but not required.
• A minimum of two years working experience in veterinary medicine setting or equivalent work experience in an animal welfare or nonprofit setting.
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills…