Veterinary Assistant

Build Your Veterinary Career in Coastal Florida

Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch is seeking an experienced and motivated Veterinary Assistant to join our established, high-quality general practice in Bradenton, Florida , just minutes from the Sarasota coastline.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about animal care, thrives in a hands-on clinical environment, and is looking to grow within a supportive and well-established veterinary team.

If you want to build your skills in surgery, anesthesia support, patient care, and exotic animal medicine while living in one of Florida’s most desirable coastal communities—this role is for you.

Why Join Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch?

We are a trusted, full-service veterinary hospital known for:

• 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

This is a great opportunity for Veterinary Assistants looking to build a long- term career in veterinary medicine.

What You'll Do

As a Veterinary Assistant , you will support veterinarians and technicians across all areas of the hospital, including patient care, surgery, diagnostics, and client communication.

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:

• Animal dander and allergens

• Cleaning agents and disinfectants
• 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

Compensation

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

Full-Time Benefits

We believe in supporting our team both inside and outside of work.

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?

This is a strong opportunity for a Veterinary Assistant who wants more than routine work. At Lakewood Ranch, you’ll gain exposure to:

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

Apply Today

If you are searching for:

• Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Bradenton FL
• Veterinary Assistant Near Sarasota
• Animal Hospital Careers Florida
• Veterinary Assistant Surgery Jobs
• Exotic Animal Veterinary Assistant Positions

We want to hear from you.

**Join Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch and grow your veterinary career in one of Florida’s most desirable coastal communities. **