Position Summary:
The Lead Veterinary Assistant is a senior clinical support leader responsible for setting the standard for patient care, team performance, and operational excellence within the hospital. In addition to performing advanced Veterinary Assistant duties, the Lead Veterinary Assistant serves as a mentor, trainer, and process improvement partner for the Practice Manager and veterinary team.
This role may include direct supervision of Veterinary Assistants and plays a key role in ensuring consistency, efficiency, and high-quality clinical support.
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.
- Typically 35-40 hours/week. Rotating Saturday schedule.
