Lead Veterinary Assistant

Lead Veterinary Assistant

Alley Cat & Dog Pet Hospital | Napa, CA

$23–$28 per hour | Full-Time | General Practice & Urgent Care

Great Veterinary Assistants Make a Difference. Great Leaders Help Everyone Thrive.

Are you the person your teammates naturally turn to when things get busy? Someone who loves veterinary medicine, takes pride in delivering exceptional patient care, and genuinely enjoys helping others succeed?

At Alley Cat & Dog Pet Hospital, we're looking for an experienced, confident Lead Veterinary Assistant who is ready to take the next step in their career.

This isn't a role where you'll step away from the clinical work you love. You'll be right in the middle of it, supporting patients, guiding teammates and helping create a positive, organised and collaborative environment where everyone can do their best work.

If you're passionate about great medicine, strong teamwork and making a meaningful difference, we'd love to meet you.

A Little About Our Hospital

Alley Cat & Dog Pet Hospital is a busy veterinary hospital in the heart of Napa, California, offering a blend of general practice, urgent care and advanced veterinary procedures.

Our varied caseload means no two days are quite the same. From preventive care and routine appointments to more complex medical cases and urgent patient needs, our team has the opportunity to develop their skills while delivering thoughtful, compassionate care.

We're proud to be part of VetnCare, a community of veterinary hospitals committed to supporting great medicine, investing in our people and creating workplaces where veterinary professionals can thrive.

You'll have the support of a wider veterinary community while remaining part of a hospital team where your contribution genuinely matters.

Your Opportunity to Lead

As our Lead Veterinary Assistant, you'll combine your clinical experience with your natural ability to support, guide and motivate others.

You'll be a trusted resource for the team, helping ensure patients receive excellent care while keeping our clinical operations running smoothly.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead by example, delivering confident, compassionate, hands-on patient care.
• Support the daily coordination of clinical activities, helping the team stay organised and work efficiently.
• Anticipate challenges, prioritise patient needs and help maintain a smooth workflow during busy periods.
• Mentor and coach Veterinary Assistants, sharing your knowledge and helping teammates develop their confidence and skills.
• Assist veterinarians and RVTs with examinations, treatments, diagnostic procedures and patient care.
• Support patient handling, restraint, sample collection, laboratory testing and other clinical procedures within your training and scope.
• Help maintain high standards of cleanliness, organisation, patient safety and clinical readiness.
• Encourage clear communication, teamwork and accountability across the hospital.
• Partner with hospital leadership to identify opportunities to improve processes, consistency and the overall team experience.

What Makes You a Great Fit?

We're looking for someone who brings both strong clinical skills and the qualities of a natural leader.

You'll ideally have:

• Around 3–5+ years of veterinary assistant experience, preferably within a busy general practice, urgent care or similar clinical environment.
• Strong hands-on patient care skills and the confidence to contribute from day one.
• Excellent organisation and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A calm, practical approach when things get busy.
• The confidence to guide teammates, provide constructive feedback and lead by example.
• A genuine interest in coaching, mentoring and helping others grow.
• Strong communication skills and a positive, accountable approach to teamwork.

Previous experience in a formal leadership position is welcome, but it's not essential. We're just as interested in someone who is already a natural leader and ready for that next step.

Why Join Alley Cat & Dog?

• Stay close to the medicine you love. Continue developing your clinical skills across general practice, urgent care and a varied caseload.
• Make a genuine impact. Help shape how the clinical team works, support your colleagues and contribute to improvements that make a difference every day.
• Grow as a leader. Build your leadership experience while mentoring others and working closely with hospital leadership.
• Be supported. As part of VetnCare, you'll benefit from access to shared expertise, professional development and a wider community of veterinary professionals.

Benefits That Support You

We believe great veterinary care starts with taking care of our people.

Our benefits include:

• Shared impact bonus linked to hospital profitability.
• Generous discounts on veterinary care for your pets, plus complimentary clinical exams (exclusions apply).
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, including virtual care.
• 401(k) with a 100% company match up to 4%.
• Health and Dependent Care FSA/HSA options.
• Employer-paid life and AD&D insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program with mental health, legal, financial and family support services.
• Access to Calm, Talkspace and VetFolio.
• Paid time off, sick leave and paid holidays.
• Professional development and career growth opportunities.
• Team recognition and annual celebrations.

Benefits are subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.

Ready to Make Your Mark?

If you're an experienced Veterinary Assistant who loves being hands-on, enjoys supporting others and is ready to take on more responsibility, we'd love to hear from you.

Join Alley Cat & Dog Pet Hospital and help us build a clinical team where great care and great teamwork go hand in hand.