Animal Shelter Lead Medical Assistant
About The Position
The Lead Medical Assistant oversees daily operations of the APS medical department to support high-quality veterinary care and related services for shelter animals. Working closely with the Director of Animal Wellbeing (Lead Veterinarian), this role helps implement medical protocols, manage clinical workflows, and support population health strategies. The Lead Medical Assistant leads veterinary technicians and assistants but does not directly supervise them, promoting structured, efficient operations, compliance with medical standards, and a collaborative team environment. There are two vacancies with schedules subject to organizational and departmental needs: Position 1 is Monday–Friday, and Position 2 is Tuesday–Saturday. The role rotates weekly on-call responsibility for an emergency after-hours phone; a stipend is provided during the on-call week. Certified Euthanasia Technician (CET) training is provided.
Requirements
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
- Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to train and guide staff.
- Knowledge of veterinary medical procedures, terminology, and best practices.
- Ability to maintain composure and professionalism in high-stress situations.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in medical documentation.
- Minimum of 2–4 years of experience in a veterinary clinic or animal shelter setting.
- Ability to lift and carry animals and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, physically and emotionally demanding environment.
- Ability to work in an environment involving animals of varying sizes, temperaments, and medical conditions, cleaning chemicals, biological hazards, and zoonotic diseases.
- Frequent standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
Nice To Haves
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology, Animal Science, or a related field preferred.
- Credentialed Veterinary Technician (CVT/RVT/LVT) strongly preferred.
- Previous supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
- Experience in high-volume or shelter medicine environments highly desirable.
- Familiarity with shelter medicine practices and standards preferred.
Responsibilities
- Oversee daily medical operations and ensure efficient workflow in the clinic, treatment areas, and surgical spaces.
- Support veterinarians with examinations, diagnostics, treatments, and surgical procedures.
- Ensure appropriate patient care, including monitoring, treatment plans, and follow-up care.
- Ensure compliance with vaccination protocols, preventative care, and routine treatments.
- Ensure proper pre-operative and post-operative care protocols are followed.
- Oversee surgical flow, including preparation, recovery, and patient tracking.
- Maintain surgical equipment and ensure proper sterilization and safety procedures.
- Lead daily operations and train and mentor veterinary technicians and assistants.
- Create schedules to ensure adequate coverage and operational efficiency.
- Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and staff development support.
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and professional work environment.
- Lead team huddles and meetings to support clear and effective communication.
- Monitor and maintain inventory of medical supplies, medications, and equipment.
- Coordinate ordering and cost-effective use of medical resources.
- Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant medical recordkeeping in shelter management systems.
- Support disease prevention and control protocols, including sanitation and outbreak response.
- Collaborate with leadership on population management strategies to improve animal outcomes.
- Ensure humane care standards are consistently applied across all areas.
- Serve as a Certified Euthanasia Technician (CET); training is provided.
- Communicate medical updates clearly to relevant teams.
- Support training initiatives related to animal health, safety, and handling.
- Rotate weekly on-call responsibilities for the emergency after-hours phone.
Benefits
- On-call stipend provided during the assigned on-call week.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
