Veterinary Assistant

Why Join Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch?

•  High-quality general practice medicine 
•  Strong focus on patient care and client relationships 
•  Collaborative, team-based environment 
•  Opportunities to work with small animals and select exotic species
•  A supportive culture that values learning and growth 

What You'll Do

Patient Care & Clinical Support

•  Assist with patient restraint and handling 
•  Support patient exams and treatments 
•  Monitor patients during recovery and hospitalization 
•  Provide comfort and low-stress handling for patients 
•  Respond to patient needs under direction of medical team 

Surgery & Anesthesia Support

•  Prepare surgical suites using sterile technique 
•  Assist with patient positioning and surgical setup 
•  Support anesthesia monitoring under technician supervision 
•  Assist with post-operative recovery and patient care 
•  Maintain cleanliness and readiness of surgical areas 

Diagnostics & Laboratory Support

•  Assist with sample collection (blood, urine, fecal) 
•  Support in-house laboratory testing and sample processing 
•  Assist with radiographs and imaging procedures 
•  Help maintain accurate patient records and documentation 

Exotic & Mixed Animal Support

•  Assist in handling and restraint of small mammals and select exotic species
•  Support patient care across a variety of species 
•  Learn species-specific handling and husbandry techniques 

Client Communication & Hospital Support

•  Provide compassionate client interaction and support 
•  Assist with discharge instructions and basic education 
•  Help maintain smooth hospital flow and organization 
•  Ensure cleanliness of exam rooms and treatment areas

What We're Looking For

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and move throughout shifts 
• Ability to lift and restrain animals up to 50 lbs
• Manual dexterity for clinical and surgical tasks 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced clinical setting with competing priorities
• Comfortable working in a veterinary environment with: 

1.  Animal dander and allergens 
2.  Cleaning agents and disinfectants 
3.  Medical supplies and pharmaceuticals 

Required Experience

• 1+ year of experience in a veterinary clinic or animal care setting required.
•  Experience in general practice or high-volume veterinary environment is a plus 

Ideal Candidate Traits

•  Strong interest in veterinary medicine and patient care 
•  Comfortable working in a fast-paced clinical environment 
•  Positive, team-oriented attitude 
•  Willingness to learn and grow technical skills 
•  Strong communication and reliability 

Preferred (Not Required)

•  Experience with surgery or anesthesia support
•  Exposure to exotic or mixed animal species
•  Veterinary Assistant certification or formal training

What We Offer

• $19–$21 per hour, based on experience 
•  Opportunities for growth and skill development 

Health & Financial Benefits

•  Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 
•  401(k) with employer match 
•  Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holiday Pay 
•  Life and disability coverage options 

Growth & Development

•  Continuing Education and training opportunities 
•  Career advancement within Innovetive Petcare network 
•  Exposure to surgery, anesthesia, diagnostics, and exotic medicine 
•  Pathways to grow into Veterinary Technician roles over time 

Innovetive Petcare Programs

• HeadStart Student Loan Repayment Program (for eligible CVTs advancing their careers)
•  Licensure support and renewal assistance (for eligible credentialed staff) 
•  Ongoing professional development opportunities across multiple hospitals and specialties 

Lifestyle & Perks

•  Employee pet care discounts 
•  Supportive, team-focused hospital culture 
•  Opportunity to live and work near Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches

Why This Role?

•  Surgery and anesthesia support 
•  Diagnostics and laboratory medicine 
•  Exotic and mixed animal care 
•  A highly collaborative clinical team 

Apply Today

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