Area Lead Nurse - Chicago

Bond Vet•Chicago, IL

4h•$43,000 - $65,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Area Lead Nurse is a clinical and influential nursing leader who supports clinic performance, patient care, medical quality, and operational efficiency. Partnering with clinic leadership, the role guides and develops support team members, advocates for their input in leadership discussions, and leads by example through continued delivery of high-quality patient care. The position is based at a home clinic and supports approximately three additional assigned clinics. The role combines hands-on veterinary technician duties with staff training, recruitment support, onboarding, new-clinic launches, professional development, and medical-quality initiatives. The Area Lead Nurse maintains skills and development plans for nurses at assigned clinics, reviews progress with clinic and medical leaders, helps maintain protocols, audits staff and facilities, and develops or delivers educational programming. The position requires veterinary technician certification or licensure (CVT, RVT, LVT, or LVMT) and at least four years of veterinary technician experience. Previous management experience in a veterinary clinic or similar healthcare setting is preferred. Compensation is listed at $43,000–$65,500 annually, with an eligible sign-on bonus of up to $2,000 and team-based profit sharing. Bond Vet offers benefits and perks including medical, dental and vision plans, 401(k) with partial employer match, paid parental leave, commuter benefits, continuing-education support, flexible scheduling, and other team amenities.

Requirements

Veterinary technician certification or licensure: CVT, RVT, LVT, or LVMT, regardless of state mandates.
At least 4 years of experience as a veterinary technician.
Independent, unrestricted authorization to work in the United States for any employer; the company does not sponsor employment-based visas or facilitate F-1 visa STEM OPT for this position.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a managerial role within a veterinary clinic or similar healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

Provide hands-on clinical support, including helping veterinarians administer anesthetics, preparing patients for surgery and dental procedures, monitoring patients during surgery and recovery, and assisting with procedures.
Administer fluids and provide supportive therapy to patients during surgery and post-operative care.
Assist veterinarians with medical and surgical procedures, including wound irrigation, medication administration, and bandaging.
Perform clinical laboratory procedures, run in-house diagnostics, prepare samples for shipment, and maintain Idexx lab logs.
Take radiographs using a hands-free method.
Keep patients clean and dry and maintain clean, scent-free cages and hospital environments.
Admit and discharge patients on doctors’ orders, ensuring discharged patients are groomed, alert, and have normal vital parameters.
Answer client questions about animal care within the role’s scope and consult a veterinarian about controversial topics or matters beyond the nurse’s skill level.
Prepare, administer, or dispense medications according to veterinarian instructions, and appropriately log controlled substances.
Train nursing staff and uphold Patient Care Index medical-quality metrics at approximately three assigned clinics in addition to the home clinic.
Assist clinic managers with nurse hiring decisions and participate in local recruitment activities and recruitment events.
Coordinate comprehensive nursing-team onboarding with clinic managers.
Support clinic openings and train new staff in Bond Vet practices.
Maintain skills checklists and development roadmaps for nurses at assigned clinics, review progress, and share findings with clinic managers and medical directors for performance reviews.
Maintain familiarity with medical protocols, conduct staff and facility audits, and implement quality-improvement initiatives with clinic leadership and the Associate Director of Nursing.
Develop or source training materials and lectures, deliver continuing-education training, and organize learning and recruitment events with nurses from outside the organization.
Set clear expectations, distribute work equitably, communicate effectively, foster teamwork and belonging, prioritize issues, promote safety, seek feedback, and support veterinary quality.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plans, including $0 monthly premiums for qualified individuals.
Mental health support programs.
401(k) with partial employer match.
Paid parental leave.
Commuter benefits.
Pet and chosen-family bereavement leave.
Up to $1,000 continuing-education stipend and additional CE time off.
Flexible scheduling options; schedules are released at least one month in advance.
In-clinic pet care discount.
Employee referral bonus of up to $8,000.
Team-based profit-sharing bonus; team members have earned up to an additional $250 per month or more.
Sign-on bonus of up to $2,000 for licensed technicians.
FIGS scrubs provided and laundered in-clinic.
Stocked pantries with snacks, drinks, and essentials.
Free weekend lunch for clinic teams.
Bond swag shop credit.
Supportive culture and leadership, with mentorship, personalized training plans, and opportunities for growth into leadership positions.