Lead Veterinary Assistant

Compensation: $20-24/hour, commensurate with licensure and experience

Position Summary: 

The Lead Veterinary Assistant/Technician is an experienced, hands-on member of our clinical team who helps set the standard for patient care, client service, teamwork, and staff development. This person should be confident in their veterinary skills while also being approachable, supportive, and genuinely interested in helping others learn and grow.

A major focus of this role is training and mentoring our assistant team. The Lead should be comfortable demonstrating skills, explaining the “why” behind what we do, providing constructive feedback, and helping create consistency in our protocols and workflows. They will work closely with the Practice Manager and doctors to identify training needs, improve efficiency, and support the day-to-day success of the team.

This is not a desk or management-only position. The Lead will work alongside the team in appointments, treatment, diagnostics, patient care, and client communication and should be willing to jump in wherever support is needed. Surgical and anesthesia knowledge is important, but surgery will not be the primary focus of this position, as we have separate leadership dedicated to our surgical department.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Model and reinforce exceptional patient care, client communication, and professional standards across the hospital. 

• Provide mentorship, training, and day-to-day guidance to Veterinary Assistants, supporting skill development and performance consistency. 

• Assist veterinarians during exams, diagnostics, treatments, and surgical procedures, serving as a clinical resource for the team. 

• Safely restrain animals and ensure proper handling techniques are followed by all team members. 

• Support onboarding and training of new Veterinary Assistants, reinforcing hospital protocols and clinical workflows. 

• Monitor and support adherence to medical, safety, and sanitation protocols. 

• Partner with the Practice Manager to identify opportunities for workflow improvements, efficiency gains, and enhanced patient care. 

• Assist with scheduling, coverage coordination, and task prioritization for Veterinary Assistants as needed. 

• Support inventory management, stocking of clinical supplies, and organization of treatment and exam areas. 

• Serve as a point of escalation for clinical support questions and operational concerns within the assistant team. 

• Ensure accurate medical record documentation, treatment plan entry, and charge capture. 

• Maintain compliance with all safety, confidentiality, and patient care protocols. 

• Perform all standard Veterinary Assistant duties as needed to support hospital operations. 

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Practice Manager. 

Qualifications: 

• High school diploma or equivalent required. 

• Minimum of 3 years of veterinary assistant or related animal care experience required. 

• Prior experience mentoring, training, or leading peers strongly preferred. 

• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead by example and foster a collaborative, positive team environment. 

• Proficiency in veterinary practice management software and Microsoft Office applications. 

• Ability to remain composed and professional in high-stress or emotionally charged situations. 

• Able to work safely around cleaning chemicals, anesthetic gases, radiation, zoonotic diseases, and animal bodily fluids. 

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and safely handle animals up to 130 pounds. 

• Comfortable sitting, standing, walking, bending, and kneeling for extended periods throughout the workday. 

• Professional, neat appearance consistent with hospital standards. 

Hours:  

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule and be available for scheduling during all hours the practice is open to support hospital operations. 

Compensation and Benefits: 

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. In addition, employees are eligible to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan. Other benefits include paid time off, paid holidays and access to employee assistance program.