Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

The ARC (Animal Recovery Center) facility is dedicated to the recovery and rehabilitation of victims of cruelty and neglect admitted through NYPD and the ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) and Community Engagement (CE) programs. Our team of over 45 sheltering, medical, and animal behavior professionals collaborates closely with the ASPCA Animal Hospital, Forensics, Legal Advocacy and Investigations, Behavioral Sciences, Shelter Medicine Services, Community Engagement, Placement, and Adoption Center teams to ensure a coordinated response and holistic, high-quality care for the animals we serve.

About the role

The Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) is responsible for a broad range of medical and administrative tasks in the ARC, serving animals admitted through the NYPD Partnership program. The LVT delivers compassionate nursing care and possesses a broad knowledge of animal science, medicine, and husbandry, including pharmacology, shelter medicine, behavior, and proficient mathematical skills. This role is critical in collaborating with medical, behavior, and sheltering operations personnel to provide holistic care for victims of cruelty and neglect.

Responsibilities

• Nursing and Shelter Population Care (50%)
  • Possess in-depth knowledge and understanding of veterinary medical concepts.
  • Care for up to 40 cats/dogs per day.
  • Provide compassionate and quality patient care at all times utilizing Fear Free/Low Stress handling.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in technical nursing skills, including venipuncture, catheter placement, intubation, anesthesia monitoring, diagnostic imaging, critical care, pharmacology, and dentistry.
  • Apply critical thinking and multitasking skills to prioritize and re-prioritize based on hospital, ARC, and new case needs.
  • Be familiar with infectious diseases, their prevention, and steps to reduce or eliminate transmission.
  • Administer injections, vaccinations, medications, treatments, and supportive care as directed by departmental Standard Operating Procedures and attending Veterinarian.
  • Perform venipuncture, run diagnostic tests, and administer fluids as needed.
  • Maintain and compile weekly orders of medical supplies inventory, including emergency drugs, and ensure supplies are in-date.
  • Ensure all structures and equipment are functional; report malfunctions for timely repair.
  • Maintain logs, inventory, DTM plates, patient records, and checklists.
  • Create and manage accurate treatment sheets, surgery and procedure requests, and medication orders.
  • Stay current with emergency drugs and protocols.
  • Accurately communicate an animal’s condition to the direct care team.
  • Support the Medical Supervisor and veterinarians in planning and performing humane euthanasia.
• Team, Administrative, Training (30%)
  • Maintain an open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols.
  • Provide leadership, onboarding, and training to the direct care team and new hires.
  • Remain composed in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
  • Work well both independently and cooperatively as part of a team.
  • Provide medical information and representation to other ASPCA departments.
  • Communicate relevant patient information to ARC management and veterinarians.
  • Deliver thorough and detailed patient updates (including behavior and operational information) to oncoming LVTs.
  • Keep veterinarians apprised of all medical issues.
  • Inform behavior, management, and medical teams of all behavior and safety issues.
  • Adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration protocols and departmental Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Follow and model behavior sedation procedures; communicate deviations immediately to ensure safety.
  • Attend daily shift rounds, monthly staff meetings, and scheduled training sessions.
  • Give presentations/trainings to new and existing staff as directed.
  • Delegate appropriate tasks to the direct care team.
  • Communicate effectively and professionally with the public and all ASPCA staff members.
  • Perform administrative duties as needed.
• Housekeeping and Maintenance (20%)
  • Clean and disinfect kennels, transport carriers, equipment, and facility using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Follow all departmental PPE and cleaning protocols.
  • Take inventory and stock supplies as needed.
  • Assist in keeping supplies stocked by noting when supplies are running low.
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization in the ARC, including exam rooms, common areas, playrooms, and kennels throughout the day.
  • Direct ICAs appropriately when needed.
• Core Values
  • Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals.
  • Demonstrate ownership and feel responsible for outcomes.
  • Believe in teamwork—stronger together.
  • Seek to elevate others and reimagine what is possible.
  • Focus on impact, specifically making change for animals.

Requirements

• Ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced environment combining emergency and shelter medicine, multitasking with integrity and accountability.
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously and manage high stress in an environment of constantly changing priorities.
• Excellent low-stress animal handling skills.
• Ability to work well within a team and communicate effectively and courteously with all staff levels.
• Maintain an open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols.
• Maintain strict confidentiality when dealing with criminal cases.
• Ability to work closely with behaviorally and medically compromised animals and feel comfortable in an environment where humane euthanasia is performed regularly.
• Obtain continuing education as required by ASPCA and state licensing board.
• Deploy locally or nationally at least once per year.
• Dependable with regular and reliable attendance; team player willing to adjust schedule if operations require.
• Ability to walk, bend, stand, and reach constantly during a minimum 8-hour day; lift 50 lbs.
• Able to safely walk and handle dogs 100 lbs. or over, up and down stairs.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology (Required).
• 1–3 years’ veterinary hospital and/or shelter experience preferred.
• Licensed Veterinary Technician – American Association of Veterinary State Boards.
• Proficiency in English (Required); Spanish a plus.

Pay

The target hiring range for this role is $34.60 - $37.00 per hour. Starting pay depends on education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands, or budgeted amount. This role also offers a signing bonus.

Benefits

For more information on our benefit offerings, click here.