Career Center

Summary: 

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is the leading animal poison control call center in the nation. The APCC’s professional team supports veterinarians and pet owners 24/7 using a proprietary database containing over four million cases. The Center is committed to protecting and improving the lives of animals through promotion of poison prevention and publication of new findings. The APCC fields over 400,000 calls and manages over 300,000 cases annually.

The Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) systematically gains toxicology knowledge through the APCC’s staged training and mentoring process. The CVT plays a critical role at the APCC as the first point of contact for pet owners who need assistance with pets that have been exposed to potentially dangerous substances.  The environment is team oriented and supportive to set CVTs up for success in this fast paced and challenging position.  Our CVTs obtain a complete history, document exposure circumstances in the electronic medical record, calculate dosages, and use in-house protocols to either manage cases or to escalate cases to a veterinarian for further management. The CVT participates in other projects and events that are established to support APCC work, further education, and enhance communication within the ASPCA.

The ASPCA supports our staff with career development, and the CVT has multiple potential career paths including Senior CVT, People Manager, and others.

Additional Work Benefits 

• Work/life balance:
  • Flexibility in schedule after the 3-month training period, including the option of five 8-hour shifts or four 10-hour shifts
  • Paid vacation, sick, and personal time
  • Continuing education days and allowance
  • Ten paid holidays/floating holidays
  • A schedule that includes half-weekends off
  • Comprehensive, low-cost benefits package

• Growth opportunities:
  • The ASPCA has robust professional development programs to help you grow as a technician and a leader
  • The ASPCA is a qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program.
  • We are one of the largest and most impactful animal welfare organizations in the world, so you will always have a strong team to lean on for support.
  • For applicants with a bachelor’s degree:  Employment at APCC is considered qualifying toxicology work experience for the American Board of Toxicology. Qualified team members may be eligible to sit for board certification after 10 years of work supervised by a toxicologist. 

This position is based out of the ASPCA Office in Champaign, IL and is not a remote position. Relocation assistance may be offered to candidates who currently reside outside of the Champaign, IL area and are willing to relocate.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Case Management (90%)

• Professionally manage medical cases initiated by telephone, email, and other electronic means from practicing veterinarians, animal owners, and others, involving animals that have potentially exposed to deleterious agents or diseases.
• Obtain complete case histories and provide detailed and accurate diagnostic and treatment recommendations appropriate to the professional level of the caller and based on established APCC protocols.
• Enter (type-in) information into the electronic record efficiently and accurately as conveyed during communications with caller and consultations with APCC DVMs. Document exposures and risks, and relay detailed treatment recommendations per protocols and verbal instructions.
• Create follow up actions to have records evaluated and closed by appropriate personnel.
• Utilize ASPCA/APCC resources to manage cases and access protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain excellence in customer service and high medical record quality levels. Respond to quality assessments provided by quality assurance and management staff.  Meet case management quality, customer service, and volume metric goals as set for specific levels of tenure.
• Consult the on-site experts, managers, and senior-staff as needed for additional case-management information.
• Complete follow up phone calls to pet owners and veterinary clinics as needed to obtain additional information regarding outcomes on specific cases.

Training and Professional Development Opportunities (up to 10 %)

• Actively participate in on-site, off-site, or virtual training, including attendance at monthly support staff rounds.
• Assist in the development of protocols for the medical library database, contribute to APCC blog posts on toxicology related topics and assist with special projects as needed.
• May be assigned to other duties as necessary.
• Optional but highly encouraged participation in APCC staff mentorship program after initial training is completed.

Exemplifies the ASPCA's Core Values

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
• Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
• Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
• Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals

Additional Information

• Staff will work daytime hours during their initial training and will be moved to later shifts incrementally, following the training schedule. Once training is complete, this position will begin as an evening or late evening shift, with shifts starting at 5p CT or later. Eligibility for earlier shifts is based on seniority.

• This position is based out of the ASPCA Midwest Office in Champaign, IL and is not a Remote position. Veterinary Technician credentials (required) in the state of residence, i.e., CVT, LVT, RVT. Must obtain CVT credentials in Illinois within one year of hire.

Qualifications:

Ability to act and react to emergency and/or challenging situations in a compassionate and consistent manner., Ability to act and react to emergency and/or challenging situations in a compassionate and consistent manner., Ability to apply sound reasoning and decision-making., Ability to communicate effectively with concerned, emotional, and worried persons via telephone., Ability to de-escalate and maintain a professional demeanor during difficult or escalated interactions, Ability to distinguish different auditory tones, Ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and the public., Ability to learn and use new software in a professional setting, Ability to remain calm under challenging circumstances., Ability to work flexible hours on days, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed, Bilingual Proficiency, Display excellent active listening skills and the ability to quickly develop a rapport with callers over the phone, Distraction-free, dedicated work environment, Emergency veterinary medicine experience is strongly preferred, Enthusiasm for working amidst complexity and change, Experience in veterinary practice, poison control center, or university is beneficial, Must be able to recover from tough situations quickly and maintain a professional demeanor, Must be comfortable being stationary, typing, and working at a desk for 8 or more hours., Must be detail-oriented and be able to work in a meticulous, thorough and detailed manner, Must be proficient in math and dosage calculation comprehension, Must be proficient with technology and be able to work with multiple databases and programs simultaneously in a rapid manner, Must display excellent internal and external customer service skills, Must have knowledge of and experience with PCs, basic office and Windows software, e-mail and Internet searches, Must have strong interest in toxicology, Must have strong interpersonal and communications skills {+ 3 more}

Licensed Veterinary Technician - American Association of Veterinary State Boards

Language:

English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

Associates: Veterinary Technician, Bachelors: Veterinary Technician, High School Diploma (Required)

At least one year of experience as a credentialed veterinary technician is required

Our EEO Policy:

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws.  A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA.  Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status,  or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

Please don’t forget to attach your resume to complete your application.

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

About ASPCA

Our mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. We offer national programs in humane education, public awareness, government advocacy, shelter support, and animal medical services and placement. Our New York City headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital, behavior center, adoption facility, and Humane Law Enforcement Department. We are a privately funded 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.Our EEO Policy:The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, ...which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s Human Resources Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

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