Lead Veterinary Assistant

Lead Veterinary Assistant

St. Bernard's Animal Hospital in Jacksonville, FL, is known for its deep commitment to quality small animal care and community trust. You will be joining a highly respected team, evidenced by our outstanding 4.9-star Google rating. We seek dedicated veterinary professionals who are passionate about delivering exceptional patient outcomes and building lasting client relationships. We operate with a strong mission to support you, our clients, and our patients, providing a collaborative environment where you can truly do your best work every day. Joining our hospital means you are supported by a broader network dedicated to your professional success. We prioritize a culture of continuous learning, ensuring that all teammates have the resources they need to achieve their long-term career goals. We believe strongly that when we invest in our teammates, our patients receive the best possible care, and you can focus on clinical excellence without administrative distractions. We focus exclusively on high-quality small animal medicine, offering complex case management alongside routine wellness care. To ensure you have maximum support in complicated situations, our team benefits from access to a robust internal network of specialty consultations. This collaborative environment ensures that you can always explore advanced diagnostic and treatment options for your patients. We are dedicated to providing the tools and protocols necessary for you to maintain the highest standards of veterinary excellence and clinical rigor. Located in Jacksonville, FL, you gain access to the best of Florida coastal living. Jacksonville is known for its beautiful beaches, thriving arts scene, and lack of state income tax. This region offers an excellent quality of life with affordable housing relative to other major coastal cities, and it boasts a strong professional and family-friendly atmosphere. You will find ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, whether you prefer kayaking along the St. Johns River or exploring the extensive parks and nature preserves that define Northeast Florida.

*3 years of Veterinary Assistant experience required*

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.

Responsibilities and Benefits

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

A 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 View email address on click.appcast.io 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.