Lead Medicine Veterinary Assistant

KITSAP Humane Society • Silverdale, WA

1d

About The Position

Kitsap Humane Society is seeking a devoted, compassionate Lead Medicine Veterinary Assistant to support high-quality medicine, surgery, treatment, and care for public companion animals and shelter animals. The role works with veterinarians, veterinary operations leadership, staff, and volunteers, and provides oversight, leadership, and day-to-day training for the shelter medicine veterinary assistant team. The Lead Medicine Veterinary Assistant is the team’s first point of contact and escalation resource.

The position combines administrative work with animal husbandry and patient care. Daily work may include managing shelter medicine operations, coordinating team workflow, greeting staff and volunteers, performing diagnostics and patient care, educating foster parents and clients, managing inventory, and responding to internal emails. The successful candidate should be organized, efficient with time management, and able to handle multiple priorities in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. This position reports directly to the Veterinary Operations Manager.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience in animal welfare or veterinary practice.
• Interest in and willingness to support Kitsap Humane Society’s mission, vision, and philosophy.
• Knowledge of animal care and handling.
• Ability to interact cheerfully and tactfully with the public, staff, and volunteers while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Strong interpersonal skills for working with foster parents and their foster animals.
• Ability to collaborate as part of a team and work independently.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, stay organized, and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Confidence in taking thorough histories and patient vital signs.
• Attention to detail and proficiency in recordkeeping and reporting.
• Proficiency in venipuncture, specimen collection, and in-house laboratory procedures.
• Conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, multitask efficiently, and meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines.
• Willingness to become certified in assisting with and performing humane euthanasia.
• Ability to safely work with animals of various temperaments in a high-volume environment.
• Willingness to educate foster parents and assist with examinations when fosters are present.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds or more.

Nice To Haves

• One year of lead, senior, or trainer experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily flow of the shelter medicine program and help ensure established priorities are met.
• Coordinate daily assignments, workflow, and break coverage for the shelter medicine team in partnership with the Veterinary Operations Manager and Assistant Veterinary Operations Manager.
• Manage purchase orders, department inventory, and supply ordering; maintain purchase records and confirm receipt of items.
• Price-match inventoried items routinely and update costs in the medical systems database.
• Ensure the clinic and its equipment are maintained and functional.
• Learn or perform the duties of Veterinary Services staff roles, including customer service representative roles.
• Work with the DSM, Veterinary Operations Manager, and Shelter Medicine Veterinarian to develop protocols that improve efficiency, continuity of care, and workflow.
• Work with the Veterinary Operations Manager and DSM to implement and maintain staff training and onboarding for shelter medicine.
• Contribute to staff education, development of standard operating procedures, euthanasia certification, and partnerships with other departments.
• Lead training for new staff members and volunteers and support them in veterinary assistant duties.
• Support team members and volunteers in all aspects of veterinary care.
• Take vital signs, obtain blood samples, and perform diagnostics requested by the medicine veterinarian.
• Educate foster parents about medical conditions, medication instructions, and follow-up care; assist with examinations when fosters are present in the veterinary clinic.
• Provide direct care for animals under shelter medicine care and clean their kennels.
• Assist the clinic team with daily duties as time allows.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, life, and vision insurance coverage available the first of the month after the 60th day of hire.
• $10,000 group life insurance plan.
• Employee Assistance Program paid 100% by the employer.
• Vacation and sick leave, including 40 hours of vacation and sick leave during the first year.
• Paid bereavement leave for family members and pets.
• 11 paid holidays.
• One free pet adoption per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed