Veterinary Assistant

The Veterinary Assistant plays a vital part in supporting the community, especially for those clients and animals who may not have another accessible option for care. The Veterinary Assistant position is responsible in assisting the veterinarians, the registered veterinarian technicians and the veterinary clinic manager at the Full-Service Veterinary Clinic and the Spay/Neuter Clinics serving the public.

The Veterinary Assistant is responsible for hands-on veterinary animal care, client service support, animal restraint, surgical preparation/monitoring/recovery, radiography, sample collection, and thorough cleaning of the facility as needed throughout the day.

East Bay SPCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to the welfare of dogs and cats in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our mission is to transform the lives of cats and dogs by enriching the human-animal bond through respected and accessible expertise. EBSPCA is one of the nation's oldest humane organizations, in operation since 1874, and receives no funding from any national organizations. You can find more information about EBSPCA on our website at

Category: Full-time; Non-Exempt

Location: Oakland

Reports to: Veterinary Clinic Manager

Benefits: East Bay SPCA offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and future of our employees. Medical and dental benefits are fully covered , along with optional vision coverage. Employees can plan for their future with a 401(K) Retirement Plan featuring a 3% company contribution , life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. The company also provides generous paid time off , starting at 120 hours per year, increasing to 160 hours after 5 years, and 200 hours after 10 years, plus 80 paid holiday hours annually and an additional personal holiday after one year. Employees enjoy extra perks such as the Pets at Work Program, waived pet adoption fees, discounted veterinary care , behavior and training classes, up to $75/month public transit/vanpool commuter reimbursement, and various industry discounts, including Pet Food Express.

Responsibilities at the Full-Service Clinic:

• Acknowledge and greet all clients in a professional and timely fashion. Assisting with processing clients as needed via PMS.
• Properly and accurately prepare all client records in preparation for surgery, examination, or other veterinary services as needed.
• Accurately create estimates and invoices.
• Vaccinate animals and perform diagnostic tests under the direct supervision of the staff veterinarian, RVT or veterinary supervisor.
• Take and process x-rays.
• Collect diagnostic samples via venipuncture, cystocentesis, free-catch, etc.
• Check in clients and assist the staff veterinarian as needed with patient evaluation.
• Assist with preparing prescriptions as approved by the staff veterinarian.
• Share in aspects of customer service as needed (answering phones, scheduling appointments, checking out clients).
• Assist with medical procedures as requested.
• Assist in maintaining a clean and disinfected clinic.
• Thorough cleaning of cages, runs and treatment areas.
• Restrain animals as needed for the staff veterinarian and/or other technicians.
• Surgical preparations of all animals for surgery.
• Providing client education and support as needed.
• Assist with euthanasia including placing catheters and preparing patients for after care.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 40 lbs. alone and >40 lbs. with assistance, if necessary.
• Stock exam rooms as needed.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by veterinarian or veterinary leadership.

Responsibilities at the Spay/Neuter Clinic:

• Assist team with intake and discharge of spay/neuter surgical patients.
• Assist with surgical preparation of spay/neuter surgical patients.
• Monitor and maintain patients under anesthesia.
• Utilize available monitoring equipment for patients under anesthesia.
• Perform intubation on a variety of breeds, sizes and ages of dogs and cats.
• Assist with recovery of spay/neuter surgical patients including the extubation of patients and temperature monitoring.
• Restrain animals appropriately and safely.
• Keep spay/neuter facility clean, tidy and disinfected at all times (including but not limited to treatment, surgery, runs, cages, lobby, exam rooms).
• Keep spay/neuter facility stocked with supplies at all times (including but not limited to treatment, surgery, runs, cages, lobby, exam rooms and bathroom).
• Maintain, clean and sterilize instruments and packs; includes use of proper. instrument handling and autoclave use as well as notifying technician staff of instruments in need of sharpening, repair or replacement.
• Properly and accurately prepare all client records in preparation for spay/neuter, examination and other veterinary services as needed.
• Assist customer service with monitoring voicemail, answering phones and scheduling of appointments for the spay/neuter facility.
• Acknowledge and greet all clients in a professional and timely fashion when assisting with customer service and other client interactions.
• Providing client education and support as needed.
• Assist with the preparation of prescriptions for patients as directed by the veterinarian or RVT.
• Perform injections (SQ and IM).
• Collect samples and perform in-house diagnostics such as Felv/FIV tests and BMBT
• Transport animals between the Baldwin campus and Spay/Neuter Clinic
• Assist in training volunteers
• Perform all other duties as needed.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of one year working in a veterinary clinic. High volume veterinary clinic experience preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.
• Proven organizational skills and effective communication.
• Competent animal handler.
• Competent in a Windows environment.
• Ability to obtain and retain a veterinary assistant controlled substance permit within 90 days of hire.
• Become Fear Free Certified within 90 days of hire.
• Have reliable personal transportation and valid California driver's license that is insurable by East Bay SPCA.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an animal shelter and veterinary clinic environment with exposure to seasonal outdoor conditions.
• Animal contacts and related injuries, including bites and scratches, may occur.
• Must be comfortable handling dogs and cats on a daily basis. Will handle sick, injured, or deceased pets.
• Noise exposure varies and often includes uncontrolled barking and other animal vocalizations.
• Animal waste contact, smells and visual exposure is prevalent.
• Frequent exposure to and/or handling of industrial cleaning supplies and controlled substances.
• Ability to lift/carry animals up to 40 lbs without assistance and >40lbs with assistance.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending and stooping.