VETERINARY ASSISTANT - ADMISSIONS

ANTI-CRUELTY

JOB DESCRIPTION

Veterinary Assistant - Admissions Department: Admissions Reports To: Admissions Manager Position Type: Full-Time General Summary The Veterinary Assistant - Admissions supports daily operations across Animal Admissions and Shelter Medicine. This entry-level, hands-on position assists with animal intake, recordkeeping, basic animal care, and veterinary-support tasks while learning Anti-Cruelty procedures and developing competency across both functions. The role works under the guidance of experienced team members, department leadership, and the veterinary team. Veterinary assessments, diagnoses, prescribing, and medical treatment decisions remain under the direction and authority of veterinary professionals. Essential Job Functions Admissions & Intake Support

• Assist with animal admissions, including owner-surrender appointments, found-animal intake, and other authorized intake pathways.
• Gather and enter animal and client information accurately and promptly in ShelterLuv and other applicable systems.
• Assist with animal identification, weighing, photographs, basic observations, vaccination-history review, and required intake documentation.
• Help prepare intake areas, supplies, and animal records for scheduled and unscheduled admissions.
• Provide courteous, compassionate service to members of the public and refer complex, sensitive, or escalated concerns to a supervisor.
• Follow established procedures for appointment flow, animal housing, and communication of capacity or placement needs.
• Coordinate with Admissions, Shelter Medicine, Animal Care, Adoptions, Foster, and other departments as directed.

Shelter Medicine & Veterinary Support

• Provide veterinary-assistant support under the direction, delegation, and supervision of the veterinary team.
• Assist with physical examinations, safe animal restraint, sample collection, diagnostics, vaccinations, medication administration, and treatments as trained and authorized.
• Observe animals for changes in condition, appetite, behavior, or response to care and promptly report concerns to veterinary staff.
• Prepare animals, equipment, and supplies for examinations, procedures, and prescribed treatments.
• Follow established isolation, sanitation, PPE, and infection-prevention protocols.
• Complete medical documentation accurately and promptly in applicable systems, following established procedures and veterinary direction.
• Assist with appropriate animal housing, movement, and communication regarding animals receiving medical care.

Animal Movement & Team Communication

• Assist with animal movement between Admissions, Shelter Medicine, Animal Care, Foster, Adoptions, and other approved pathways.
• Communicate animal status, outstanding needs, and concerns to the appropriate team members.
• Ask questions and seek guidance when procedures, animal status, or priorities are unclear.
• Participate in team huddles, rounds, and training activities as assigned.

Animal Care, Safety & General Responsibilities

• Handle animals safely and humanely using approved techniques and equipment.
• Maintain clean, organized, and appropriately stocked work areas, exam spaces, treatment areas, and supplies.
• Follow Anti-Cruelty policies, procedures, safety standards, confidentiality requirements, and animal-welfare practices.
• Maintain respectful, professional communication with coworkers, volunteers, clients, and community members.
• Complete required training and demonstrate competency before performing assigned tasks independently.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support Admissions and Shelter Medicine operations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Interest in animal welfare, sheltering, and veterinary-support work; willingness to learn both Admissions and Shelter Medicine functions.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, established protocols, and supervisory direction.
• Strong communication, customer-service, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain organized, attentive, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic computer skills and willingness to learn shelter-management and medical-record systems, including ShelterLuv.
• Willingness to learn safe animal handling, infection prevention, PPE, sanitation, and humane animal-care practices.
• Ability to recognize limits of training and promptly seek assistance or escalate concerns.
• Commitment to Anti-Cruelty’s mission and to compassionate service for animals and people.

Education High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Relevant coursework or training in animal care, veterinary assisting, or shelter operations is a plus. Experience Prior animal shelter or veterinary experience is preferred but not required. Related customer-service, animal-care, or volunteer experience is beneficial. Must be willing and able to complete required training and develop competency in both Admissions and Shelter Medicine responsibilities. Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.
• Ability to safely lift and carry up to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation, and assist with animal handling and movement.
• Ability to work around animals, animal waste, cleaning products, noise, and potential zoonotic or infectious-disease exposure while following required safety and PPE protocols.
• Visual, auditory, and communication abilities sufficient to observe animals, read records and labels, and communicate effectively.

Additional Requirements

• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, and occasional extended hours, based on shelter operational needs.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Must complete required Anti-Cruelty training and demonstrate competency in assigned duties.
• This is an entry-level individual-contributor role. Duties are performed within the employee’s training and authorization. The position does not independently diagnose, prescribe, make veterinary medical decisions, or exercise formal supervisory authority.
• The job description is a guide to the essential functions of the job, not an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, qualifications, physical demands, and work environment conditions. Job descriptions are reviewed and revised to meet the changing needs of the organization at the sole discretion of management.

Anti-Cruelty is an equal opportunity employer.