Lead Veterinary Assistant

Mission Pet Health; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted pet care

Online discount platform

Teladoc access

Job summary

Beaches Animal Clinic in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, seeks a Lead Veterinary Assistant to guide the medical support team and ensure top-tier patient care. You will mentor staff, manage shifts, and collaborate with hospital leadership to improve workflows while maintaining high infection control and record-keeping standards.

The role requires a strong leader with experience in veterinary assisting, exceptional communication, and the ability to work with a diverse animal patient load.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong ability to lead by example, motivate others, and maintain composure in high-pressure situations.
• Proficiency in veterinary assistant functions, including patient handling, cleaning protocols, and client communication.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfort working with a wide range of animals, including those that may be fractious or fearful.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted and stand/walk for extended periods.
• 7+ years of Veterinary Assistant experience is preferred.
• 3+ years of leadership experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leading the Shift: you will act as a shift leader, coordinating workflow and ensuring optimal staff coverage.
• Mentoring the Team: you will mentor veterinary technicians and assistants and provide onboarding support.
• Driving Improvements: you will identify workflow gaps and partner with hospital management to implement solutions.
• Supporting Patient Care: you will assist veterinarians in providing patient care and maintaining medical records.
• Enhancing Client Experience: you will support clients with scheduling, check-ins, discharge instructions and estimates.
• Maintaining Standards: you will ensure cleanliness, organization, and safety and uphold equipment maintenance.

Skills

Leadership

Veterinary customer care

Communication

Education

High school diploma

Job description

When you join Beaches Animal Clinic in beautiful Jacksonville Beach, Florida, you are stepping into a comprehensive small animal practice built on decades of community trust, providing full-service veterinary care since 1959. Our commitment to high-quality medicine is reflected in the trust of our clients, evidenced by our exceptional 4.8-star Google rating. The local community has consistently recognized us as their \"Favorite Veterinarian\" multiple times across two decades, affirming that we are dedicated to providing the highest level of care and compassion. If you are looking for a place where you can immediately contribute to a highly respected, award-winning practice and succeed personally and professionally, this is your opportunity. Our clinic is a place where your dedication and talent are immediately valued within a close-knit environment. You will join established teammates, including DVMs Nancy Ramirez, Whitney Schramm, and Ashley Rouse, and Hospital Manager Kristie Toloudis, who are focused on delivering full-service veterinary care. Because we have been an integral part of Jacksonville Beach for over sixty years, you benefit from a stable, established client base and a reputation that allows you to focus solely on high-quality patient care. We believe that when we empower our teammates, we all grow together, supporting each other to do our best work every day. You will be practicing high-level medicine encompassing a wide range of small animal services. Our facility supports comprehensive patient care including Wellness and Prevention protocols, Testing and Diagnostics, and necessary Advanced Care. Furthermore, we emphasize key procedural medicine, offering full Surgical Procedures and providing critical support through our Urgent Care services. This breadth of services ensures that you are constantly challenged and able to expand your clinical skills across the full spectrum of modern veterinary needs. Located in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, you are joining a vibrant community defined by its coastal lifestyle. Beyond the clinic, you have immediate access to all the benefits of living near the Atlantic Ocean, whether you seek outdoor recreation, local dining, or cultural events. Jacksonville Beach offers a relaxed pace of life with big-city access, creating an ideal work-life balance that allows you to recharge and enjoy the famous Florida sunshine every day.

Your Impact as a Lead Veterinary Assistant

As a Lead Veterinary Assistant, you are a pivotal leader on the medical support team, ensuring the highest standards of patient care and hospital operations. You will serve as the primary point of contact for medical support staff, guiding workflows, modeling our values, and fostering a collaborative and supportive culture. You are the bridge between hospital leadership and the team, helping to implement protocols and mentor the next generation of veterinary professionals.

Your Impact Will Include

• Leading the Shift: You will act as a shift leader, coordinating workflow, assigning tasks, and ensuring optimal staff coverage to keep the hospital running smoothly.
• Mentoring the Team: You'll mentor and support veterinary technicians and assistants, providing guidance, onboarding support, and opportunities for development.
• Driving Improvements: You will identify gaps or inefficiencies in workflows and partner with the hospital manager to recommend and implement solutions.
• Supporting Patient Care: You'll support veterinarians in providing patient care, maintaining accurate medical records, and upholding infection control standards.
• Enhancing Client Experience: You will provide exceptional client support, from scheduling and check-ins to explaining discharge instructions and estimates.
• Maintaining Standards: You will ensure the hospital remains clean, organized, and safe, upholding all protocols and equipment maintenance standards.

What You'll Bring to the Team

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong ability to lead by example, motivate others, and maintain composure in high-pressure situations.
• Proficiency in veterinary assistant functions, including patient handling, cleaning protocols, and client communication.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfort working with a wide range of animals, including those that may be fractious or fearful.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted and stand/walk for extended periods.
• 7+ years of Veterinary Assistant experience is preferred.
• 3+ years of leadership experience is preferred.

How You're Supported

As part of the Mission Pet Health family, you get the stability of a local practice backed by the comprehensive benefits and resources of a larger network. The focus is on investing in you, so you can focus on what you love.

Note: Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support you at every stage. Eligibility for specific benefits varies based on your role and hours worked.

Competitive Compensation

Competitive hourly rate or salary based on your experience and role.

Health & Wellbeing

We offer comprehensive coverage options including Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, along with access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all teammates.

Financial Security

Plan for your future with our 401k retirement options and additional financial protection benefits like Life Insurance and Disability coverage.

Commitment to Growth

We support your career goals with opportunities for professional development, including educational assistance for qualified teammates to enroll in AVMA-accredited veterinary technician programs.

The Power of a Network

Join a nationwide community of over 20,000 veterinary professionals who share a passion for collaboration, career growth, and sharing best practices.

Valuable Perks

Enjoy discounted veterinary care for your own pets, access to an online discount platform, and free 24/7 access to doctors through Teladoc.

About Mission Pet Health

Mission Pet Health was founded by veterinarians on the belief that local practices thrive with clinical autonomy, collaboration, and medical excellence. The organization provides world-class support to its 850+ hospital teams on a hyper-local basis so they can focus on what matters most: the medicine, their patients, and their team culture. Learn more at missionpethealth.com.

Driving the award-winning culture are the WAG values – Work Together, Amaze, and Grow. Mission Pet Health is veterinarian-led, people-focused, and on a mission to be the best place to work in veterinary medicine. We are proud to be recognized as a 2025 \"Most Loved Workplace\", ranked #2 in America's Top 100 and #1 in veterinary care.

Reasonable Accommodations:

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation. Please contact [e-mail] with your request and contact information.

EEO Statement:

Mission Pet Health is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.