Foster Veterinary Assistant

Since 1984, we’ve dedicated ourselves to ensuring every animal has the quality of life they deserve – a life worth living. Now, we go beyond our walls to help create a more humane community for pets and the people who love them.

Asheville Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We do, however, hold the County contract for animal sheltering. This means that we are the open-admission shelter for all Buncombe County animals.

Position Summary

The Foster Veterinary Assistant is responsible for providing routine, preventative, and emergency medical care to the animals in AHS’ foster program, including identifying potential medical concerns and maintaining accurate documentation of medical care. Additionally, this position is an integral part of the Foster Department and includes directly communicating with foster parents about medical issues with their foster animals and assisting the Foster Placement Coordinator in placing animals in foster care when necessary.

Schedule: This position works on the Animal Care Campus. The work schedule is Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Compensation & Benefits: The hourly compensation for the Foster Veterinary Assistant starts at $17.50. AHS is pleased to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees that includes: medical, dental, and vision insurance, a Simple IRA plan with up to 3% company match, 18 days of PTO in the first year, paid holidays, pet prescription discounts, and more! Benefits are available after 60 days of employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Ability to perform basic veterinarian technician or assistant duties.
• Capable of making common diagnoses, treatment decisions, identifying, treating and/or triaging medical concerns, all in accordance with Medical SOP.
• Responsible for quickly reporting any serious or life-threatening illnesses in foster animals to the Foster Care Manager.
• Responsible for calculating doses and preparing and filling medications for sick animals in the foster program.
• Responsible for accurately entering and maintaining medical documentation in a timely manner.
• Provide all foster animals with age-specific care, including a general physical exam, scheduled vaccines, medical care/treatment, appropriate food, supplies, and routine rechecks.
• Ensure that all animals returning from foster care are processed using AHS medical and processing requirements before transfer to the adoption center.
• Work with the Foster Care Manager and Senior Manager of Operations to ensure space on the animal care campus is available for scheduled foster returns.
• Assist in keeping the foster medical room and all working areas clean, orderly, and disinfected in accordance with AHS SOP.
• Assist the Foster Placement Coordinator in securing placement for animals awaiting foster homes during seasonal or otherwise unusually busy periods or in the absence of the Foster Placement Coordinator.
• Knowledge and ability to communicate via phone, email, social media, and other outlets when seeking foster placement for an animal.
• Maintain a working knowledge of animals in the foster program and those in the shelter awaiting placement.
• Maintain consistent communication with the Foster Care Manager & Foster Placement Coordinator about medical or other issues with AHS foster animals and/or homes.
• Willingness to assist the Medical Department, including Intake/Processing, with the medical care and treatment of all animals under the care of AHS when necessary.
• Ability to earn Fear Free Shelters certification within one month of hire; and apply Fear Free handling techniques during exams and treatments.
• Perform euthanasia technician duties when scheduled and deemed necessary by management for unexpected coverage.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Previous experience working in a veterinary setting is required.
• Experience working as a Veterinary Assistant in private practice or shelter medicine is strongly preferred.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Must be able to gain North Carolina state Euthanasia by Injection (EBI) certification (provided by employer)
• Must be able to become a North Carolina State Certified Rabies Vaccinator (provided by employer)