MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT

Our mission is to provide animals with loving care and lasting homes, to partner with communities striving to do the same, and to advance our no-kill legacy. Our vision is for animals to live in welcoming communities where they and their human companions are treated with care and compassion.

SUMMARY

Do you want to use your skills to provide access to high-quality veterinary care for animals in San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, and beyond? Look no further! Pets In Need is looking for a skilled and compassionate Veterinary Assistant to join our team. Founded in 1965, our mission is to provide animals with loving care and lasting homes, to partner with communities striving to do the same, and to advance our no-kill legacy.  We accomplish our mission by transferring cats and dogs to our facilities from public shelters in the Bay Area and beyond when they are in danger of being euthanized due to space or financial limitations. 

As a Veterinary Assistant in our team, you will partner with our doctors and support staff at our locations in Redwood City and Palo Alto to address the healthcare needs of pets in our care and in our community. In addition, you will collaborate with our intake, behavior, outreach, and foster staff to ensure that all animals get to their forever homes as efficiently as possible. If you are a strong team player who is passionate about animal nursing, thrives in a fast-paced and ever-evolving work environment, and enjoys collaboration and creative problem-solving, then this job is made for you! 

What you’ll be engaged in: 

      • Assisting with appointments, exams, surgery, treatments, and diagnostics 
      • Recording detailed and accurate medical notes 
      • Maintaining a well-stocked and clean medical suite 
      • Collaborating with your immediate team and interdepartmental coworkers  
      • Utilizing your understanding of common medical conditions, medications, and treatments 
      • Flexing your great communication skills with clients, coworkers, and the community 
      • Growing professionally with continuing education  
      • Demonstrating your professional dexterity by getting each day’s to-do list done 
      • Experiencing and exemplifying the Pets In Need cultural goals of accountability, compassion, respect, inclusion, transparency, feedback, and confidentiality. 

Why you’re an awesome fit: 

      • You have 1+ year of experience working in veterinary medicine 
      • You have a Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit (VACSP) and a Fear Free Shelter certification* Don’t worry if these aren’t completed yet, we’ll help you get them done when you join us! 
      • You have excellent customer service and strong interpersonal communication skills 
      • You initiate and embrace positive change 
      • You enjoy learning and expanding your set of skills  
      • You are comfortable with medical terminology and mathematics  
      • You are tech-savvy and know your way around a computer and the cloud 
      • You understand animal behavior and utilize low stress handling during exams 

 

Dazzle us with: 

 

      • 1+ years of experience working in a shelter environment
      • Experience with high volume spay/neuter surgery 
      • Experience with veterinary dentistry  
      • Fluency in Spanish  
      • An AA/AS or BA/BS degree, or 2+ years of college-level studies 

 

Working Conditions: 

 

      • This position is moderately to highly physical with long periods of standing and walking 
      • Ability to stand, bend, twist, stoop, push and pull, climb stairs, reach, and lift up to 50 lbs 
      • Must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and some holidays 
      • Ability to travel between locations 
      • Working with potentially dangerous and fractious animals and occasional wildlife 
      • Potential exposure to contagious/zoonotic disease is possible 
      • Minimal accommodation for animal-related allergies  

 

What we ensure for you: 

 

      • Competitive hourly wage
      • Outstanding benefits package including 
      • Immediate accrual of paid time off 
      • 100% covered medical, dental, and vision insurance options to choose from 
      • Employer-matching retirement plan 
      • Life insurance 
      • 11 organization-observed holidays  
      • Reimbursement of rabies prophylaxis vaccine for staff 
      • Continuing education reimbursement and accommodation  
      • 5 emotional wellness appointments provided at no cost  

 

Pets In Need provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.