Maryland SPCA
Job Description
Job Title: Shelter Medicine, Exam Room Assistant Department: Shelter Medicine, Exam Room Reports to: Shelter Medicine Manager FLSA Status: Non-exempt Schedule: 40 hours weekly, 10-hour days Pay: $18.50-19.50 Prepared Date:4/23/2026 Shelter Medicine Veterinary Assistant assists the exam team in all aspects of the intake exams, patient care, emergency care, and daily cleaning for our shelter pets. Assistants are expected to be able to work in a fast-paced team environment, using safe animal handling practice with a focus on low stress techniques. They will follow directives and protocols created and approved by our Chief Veterinarian of Shelter Medicine. Assistants will be responsible for cleaning animals and administrative areas to keep up with disease management standards. Essential
Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist veterinary technicians and veterinarians with all aspects of the patient exams.
- Prepare vaccinations, treatments and diagnostics by following approved protocols and notifying veterinary staff of anything abnormal.
- Handle and restrain a wide variety of animals safely and effectively in a humane manner with an emphasis on fear free or low stress techniques.
- Clean and care for shelter pets daily needs by following protocols with an emphasis on disease management.
- Use Personal Protection Equipment when necessary, according to our disease management protocols.
- Accurately collect & prepare specimens as well as paperwork for sending to an external laboratory.
- Assist with radiographs.
- Aid in an animal emergency.
- Accurately record information into our shelter database.
- Maintain clean and organized exam rooms and administration areas in the exam department.
- Clearly and positively communicate with team members, managers, volunteers, and clients.
- Assisting with ensuring that pets are moving towards outcomes with a focus on length of stay.
- Complete all tasks as assigned by management
Qualifications
- Experience as a Veterinarian Assistant, experience in an animal shelter medical setting preferred.
- Experience and ability to demonstrate safe animal restraint.
- Ability to evaluate problems accurately while displaying good, sound judgment when working with the technician staff and under emotional stress.
- Ability to prioritize, multi-task and be self-motivated.
- Possess a high level of professionalism, strong interpersonal skills, and be a team player.
- Skilled in utilizing computer software including Microsoft Office Programs, Word, Outlook, and Excel.
- Committed to and enthusiastic about the mission, programs, and services of the Maryland SPCA.
Working Conditions
- Work is performed in a shelter clinic setting with prolonged, standing and kneeling.
- Regular exposure to animals, animal waste, and potentially hazardous conditions, including the risk of animal bites.
- Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, sharp objects, hazardous chemicals, dangerous and fractious animals.
- Prolonged exposure to various aqueous solutions, including but not limited to dish soap, chlorhexidine, and Accel.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Physical Demands
- Standing or walking 8 or more hours per day with frequent bending, kneeling, stooping, and reaching
- Able to see fine detail in a variety of situations.
- Must possess good hearing, including the ability to distinguish changes in vocal pitch.
- Must have a reasonable degree of agility to move through tightly cramped areas in various situations.
- Possess excellent eye-hand coordination.
- Physically capable of performing all duties in the shelter including moderately heavy work, to include lifting and/or carrying up to 50 lbs.
- Frequent sitting, use of computer keyboard and telephone up to 8 hours per day with some bending, stooping and walking
- The Maryland SPCA is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.
- The MD SPCA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.
- All employment decisions at the MD SPCA are based on the organization's needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion/beliefs, age, or any other protected status.
- The MD SPCA will not tolerate discrimination based on any of these characteristics.
- We encourage all applicants with a passion for our mission to apply.
- The MD SPCA strives to provide a safe work environment and encourage personal health.
- Therefore, it is a substance-free, drug-free workplace.
