Lifesaving impact, rewarding careers: For more than 150 years, the ASPCA has been on the frontlines 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.
Who We Are
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 is proud to set the bar for the standard of care in HQHVSN and provide world-class spay and neuter surgical instruction to veterinary professionals and students
What You’ll Do
The Veterinary Assistant (VA) is the mortar of the ASNA medical team which provides support to every aspect of daily medical and surgical operations. This versatile position is challenging, fast-paced, physically and mentally demanding, and extremely rewarding. The person in this role must possess excellent multi-tasking skills, diplomatic and outstanding communication, an innate ability to perform both independently and as a team member, andhave an uncompromising determination to be high functioning and perform duties consistent with best practicesFundamental expectations for this role are providing impeccable care to surgery patients, eagerly assisting veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and kennel assistants in perioperative duties, participating in facility upkeep and maintenance, and enthusiastically hosting clients and visiting trainees. This position reports to the Manager, Medical Assistants (MMA) and is based in Asheville, North Carolina.
Veterinary Assistants report directly to Manager, Medical Assistants and have no direct reports.
Where & When You’ll Work
This position is an on-site role and reports to the ASPCA Spay Neuter Alliance in Asheville, NC.
This role requires flexibility in schedule to accommodate program needs, which could include varied daily shifts, weekends, evenings, and holidays
The target start date for this position is May 4, 2026.
What You’ll Get
Compensation
Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.
The target range for this position is $22-$23.44 per hour.
Benefits
At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage
Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company paid holidays, and paid personal time off that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you
Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year
Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field, and so much more.
For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
Operational Support and Training
Participate in relationships and communications with private sector veterinarians, professional associations, professional advisors, vendors, transport partners, public clients, mentees, and internal ASPCA departments and professionals
Be well versed in ASNA/ASPCA protocols, procedures, and standards of care
Participate in onboarding and training 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 handling techniques consistently in all interactions with animals
Instill the guiding principle that everyone can, and should, actively support the animals’ behavioral and mental health in everything they do
Participate in mentoring visiting trainees relative to veterinary and kennel assistant duties
Practice and encourage open and transparent communications in all interactions, seek out regular feedback from team and peers, and receive feedback in the constructive spirit intended
Participate in overall ASNA facilities upkeep and maintenance including cleaning, inventory and stocking, and organization
Drive transport vehicles as needed
Perform the daily and supportive medical duties of a veterinary assistant which include but are not limited to:
Flow of daily operations and surgical teams
Preparation of surgical patients
Anesthesia monitoring
Patient recovery
Patient emergency support
Oral, topical, and injectable medication administration
Surgical packs preparation
Equipment operation and maintenance
Inventory control
Upkeep and maintenance of medical, surgical, and kennel areas
Perform all duties of a kennel assistant as needed
Professional Development and Organizational Support
Commit to operating in alignment with our Core Values of Commitment, Ownership, Team, Elevate, and Impact!
Adhere to all policies related to operational and environmental safety of patients, staff, and visitors related directly to medical operations
Serve in any surgical, medical, or training role as needed and support all daily operational processes to complete the day’s surgeries and training program goals successfully and safely
Fully engage and participate in the self-performance management process including annual reviews, regular feedback sessions, required compliance training, and goal setting
Maintain all licensures and credentials pertinent to the position
Actively seek individual development opportunities in relation to job function
Travel up to 5% as needed
Under the supervision of the MMA, and in respect to role responsibilities, encourage and advocate for:
Smooth and efficient operation of ASNA surgical, medical, and training programs
Program policies and strategies that support ASNA’s high standards of quality and best practices
All aspects of operations be enforced with campus wide consistency and adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations
A positive learning environment across campus supportive of ASNA culture
Participate in assigned ASNA department and program specific projects, cross-departmental working groups, and any other assigned commitments to support ASPCA’s 2030 goals
Perform all other duties as assigned by the MMA or the ASNA Senior Leadership Team
Qualifications
Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:
HasCommitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals
Possess outstanding interpersonal communication skills
Ability to multitask and deal professionally with high levels of stress in an environment of changing daily operational priorities
Ability to work in both a team environment and independently
Ability to work in physically and mentally challenging conditions
Possess companion animal handling experience
Ability to understand that patient death is a regrettable but an inevitable part of the medical profession and adopt a healthy coping strategy for such events
Provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history
Possess working knowledge of basic computer/technology skills including email and Microsoft Word
Ability to lift 35 lbs/16 kgs without assistance and over this weight with assistance, and the ability to consistently stand, bend, lift, and climb during the course of a regular work shift
Education and Work Experience:
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
Preferred 1 year experience in professional companion animal handling in a clinical setting
Fear Free Shelter certification within 60 days of hire
Language:
English (Required)
Education and Work Experience:
High School Diploma (Required)
The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is the first animal welfare organization established in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. The organization’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in three key areas: protecting and rescuing animals from crisis, assisting animals in communities and advancing legal protection for animals.
The ASPCA was founded by Henry Bergh in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans, and must be protected under the law. Headquartered in New York City, the ASPCA maintains a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery and adoption facility. In addition, the ASPCA announced a groundbreaking anti-cruelty partnership with the New York Police Department in 2013, which has resulted in a record-breaking number of arrests and animals’ lives saved.
The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide, including a Field Investigation and Response team that rescues animal victims of natural and man-made disasters, a fully-subsidized spay/neuter clinic in Los Angeles, a Behavioral Rehabilitation Center for fearful, under-socialized dogs, and a 24-hour, 365-day Animal Poison Control Center that provides pet owners and veterinarians with live, on-call assistance related to toxic products and substances. In 2015, the ASPCA acquired Humane Alliance, the nation’s leading training and education organization focusing on high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter.
The ASPCA is a privately funded 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization supported by more than 2 million animal advocates across the country.
