Foster Veterinary Assistant

Description

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 plays a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of animals in the AHS foster program. This position is responsible for providing direct medical care, identifying potential health concerns, and maintaining accurate medical records for animals in foster homes. While working under the guidance—but not always the direct supervision—of the Shelter Veterinarian, the assistant is entrusted with meaningful, hands-on responsibilities that make a daily impact.

As a key member of the Foster Department, the Foster Veterinary Assistant collaborates closely with foster parents, providing support and guidance on medical concerns. This role also assists the Foster Placement Coordinator as needed to help place animals into nurturing foster homes. The ideal candidate is compassionate, communicative, and eager to work in a dynamic, mission-driven environment where teamwork and animal welfare are top priorities.

Schedule: This position is based in the Adoption Center, located on the Animal Care Campus. The work schedule is Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Compensation & Benefits: The hourly compensation for the Foster Veterinary Assistant is $18.25. 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.
• Provide all foster animals with age-specific care, including a physical exam, vaccines, medical care/treatment, appropriate food, supplies, and routine rechecks.
• Capable of making common diagnoses and treatment decisions, identifying, treating, and/or triaging medical concerns, all in accordance with Medical SOP.
• Comfortable with animal handling using low-stress handling techniques.
• Proficiency in basic diagnostics such as fecal floats, ear cytology, ear mite analysis, and urinalysis.
• Responsible for calculating doses and preparing and filling medications.
• Responsible for accurately entering and maintaining medical documentation in a timely manner.
• Responsible for communicating with the Medical Director, outside veterinarians, and AB Tech Vet Tech Program as needed.
• Responsible for quickly reporting any serious or life-threatening illnesses in foster animals to the Foster Care Manager and/or Medical Director.
• Ensure that all animals returning from foster care are processed using the AHS medical and processing SOP before being transferred 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 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 a pet.
• 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.
• Perform euthanasia technician duties when scheduled and deemed necessary by management for unexpected coverage.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Requirements

• 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).
• Must earn Fear Free Shelters certification within the first 90 days of hire.