Inpatient Attendant Training Program

Veterinarians and technicians are in short supply nationwide, including here at the MSPCA-Angell. Lack of staffing and diversion is a national issue, and a shortage of caregivers means longer waits for our patients and more stress on our current staff.

Angell’s Inpatient Attendant Training Program

The Inpatient Attendant Training Program was created as a way to engage entry-level attendants who assist nurses and provide them with training opportunities for career advancement. The program consists of three levels:

• Level 1: Cleaning, orderly tasks, laundry, and restocking inventory
• Level 2: Providing hands-on patient care; Using restraint techniques; Walking animals that need assistance; delivering basic animal care
• Level 3: Using medical equipment; performing advanced patient restraint; assisting with the training of Level 1 and Level 2 attendants

Once attendants complete Level 3, their skillset prepares them for Assistant Technician roles in Inpatient but also for other services within the hospital, including Diagnostic Imaging, Anesthesia, Surgery, and Clinic.

If preferred, technicians can move into specialty assistant roles. Specialty Technician Assistants support patient care and the operations needs of departments such as Avian and Exotic Medicine, Cardiology, Dermatology, Dentistry, General Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Ophthalmology, and Oncology. (see chart below)

The Inpatient Attendant Training Program also includes group training, where attendants learn how to safely restrain exotics, such as rabbits, birds, or ferrets. Fear Free training is included with instruction to help the attendants know how to deliver medical care with the least amount of stress for the animal.

Continuing Education Through Penn Foster

The MSPCA-Angell offers employees the opportunity to continue their education to earn either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology through Penn Foster. The Penn Foster continuing education is paid for in full by the MSPCA-Angell. A degree in Veterinary Technology provides eligibility to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). A VTNE passing score enables application for certification as a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) through the Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association (MVTA).

For a complete list of attendant positions currently available at Angell, please visit angell.org/careers.