Foster Medical Care Coordinator - Remote

Description
The Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA) is looking for a Foster Medical Care Coordinator to join our team of enthusiastic, compassionate staff and volunteers.  This is a part-time, permanent position working 24 hours per week, a remote role with onsite training at the Rescue Center in East Vancouver.
 
Summary
This position will work under the direction of the Rescue Center Manager or designate to ensure the health and well-being of cats in our network of foster homes.  This includes working closely with fosters and foster coordinators to answer questions and provide guidance for foster cats with medical and behavioral issues to ensure their well-being and prepare them for adoption.  This individual will work directly with the Foster Coordinator Team, centre staff and other VOKRA volunteers. The successful candidate will communicate directly with foster parents to help manage the health of cats in foster care. This is a great opportunity to utilize and continue developing your skills in a rescue environment while having a positive impact on the foster cats in our care.  

The successful candidate will demonstrate patience, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills, in addition to familiarity with cat health issues and behavior concerns. They will love working with both people and animals, be well organized, and have the ability to communicate effectively with all VOKRA community members.

Key Responsibilities
- Provide medical support and guidance for our volunteer foster coordinators and fosters.
- Liaise with our designated health advisors, Rescue Centre, foster coordinators, and foster homes regarding the medical needs of cats and kittens in foster care.
- Triage incoming medical issues regarding cats in foster care and provide guidance in alignment with existing protocols.
- Act as the main point of contact between veterinarians, foster coordinators and fosters –  communicate directly with our partner vets and their clinic staff, relay health results to appropriate internal team members, follow-up with fosters and vets on treatments, test results and images, and work collaboratively with our health team.
-Routinely monitor ShelterLuv with respect to the status of cats in foster care, with a primary focus on cats in palliative care and cats with long-term medical or behavioral issues. 
- Maintain spreadsheets of partner veterinarian contacts and notes
- Perform data entry, including entering medical memos on the health and progress of foster cats and entering medical treatment, and results and images in ShelterLuv.
- Ensure all policies and protocols concerning veterinary medicine, drugs and pharmacy, animal welfare, animal control and other areas relevant to an animal rescue organization are being followed by foster coordinators and fosters.
 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- High School diploma or equivalent is a minimum. Veterinary Assistant certification or additional education/certification in a related field is an asset.
- Experience working in a veterinary or animal rescue setting is an asset.
- Experience working  in Vet/Tech/Assistant program, domestic/wildlife rescue work, medical adjacent work (Human Medicine, Healthcare, Nursing) or medical care for personal pets will be an asset.
- Commitment to supporting VOKRA’s philosophy, policies, programs, and protocols.
- Sound knowledge of cat care, health, behavior, and well-being.  
- Ability to identify and prioritize urgent medical situations and respond appropriately.
- Ability to remain calm and steady in high-stress situations.
- High degree of emotional intelligence and empathy, and ability to support fosters through stressful or difficult situations such as foster cat illness, unexpected death, or euthanasia.
- Demonstrated high-quality verbal, written, and listening skills.
- Detail-oriented with proven organizational abilities.
- Excellent customer service skills (phone, email, in-person), including a patient, professional, and positive attitude, and strong interpersonal skills.
- Adaptability in a fast-paced work environment.
- Highly motivated self-starter who takes initiative on tasks with minimal supervision.
-Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaborate as part of a team.
-Proficiency with Google Drive, Gmail, MS Word/Excel; experience with ShelterLuv and Trello is an asset.  
-A valid driver's license and a vehicle, plus a willingness to transport animals to/from Ops for immediate needs, would be an asset. 

This position will typically work Sunday, Monday, Tuesday (9am-6pm) with flexibility for urgent cases. Please submit a cover letter (including hourly wage expectations) and resume to recruitment@vokra.ca. Applications accepted until the position is filled.

We are committed to accommodating applicants’ needs throughout the recruitment process. If contacted, please indicate accommodations as required.