Veterinary Assistant

General Information

Ref #

51101

Department

Vet Tech / Vet Assistant / VT Campus

Job Site

Lake Forest Animal Hospital

Date Published

05-29-2026

Pay Class

Full-Time

Base Min.

$ 19

Base Max.

$ 24

Description & Requirements

Company Overview

Welcome to Lake Forest Animal Hospital, where our mission since 1991 has been to provide the most comprehensive and highest quality of care possible. We treat every pet like our own, resulting in an outstanding reputation reflected by our excellent 4.8-star Google rating within the community. We are a trusted full-service veterinary clinic for pet wellness, surgical procedures, and urgent care in Gaithersburg, MD. If you are looking for an established practice where you can provide individualized care and genuinely make a meaningful impact, we invite you to do your best work here.

Joining Lake Forest Animal Hospital means becoming part of a dedicated and established community of professionals, including four experienced veterinarians. As part of a larger network, you benefit from sophisticated systems designed to help every teammate succeed. We prioritize continuous education and offer supportive pathways that allow you to grow your career, whether you are aiming for advanced certifications, leadership roles, or simply want to excel in your current position. We ensure you have the resources and mentorship necessary to reach your professional goals and feel valued every day.

We are dedicated to delivering a wide scope of high-quality small animal medicine, encompassing comprehensive wellness and prevention, sophisticated testing and diagnostics, and critical urgent care. Our focused commitment to advanced care and surgical procedures ensures that we can address complex cases within our clinic. Furthermore, our partnership with a robust veterinary network means that our doctors and teammates have reliable access to internal specialty consultations and comprehensive resources, guaranteeing high medical standards and collaborative outcomes for every patient.

Gaithersburg, Maryland, offers an excellent blend of suburban comfort and direct access to the cultural vibrancy of the greater DC metropolitan area. Located centrally, you will find a strong, highly engaged community that is dedicated to pet health-as evidenced by our long tenure here and consistent support. Choosing Gaithersburg means you are positioning yourself in a dynamic area with exceptional amenities, providing a fantastic quality of life outside of the clinic while serving a loyal client base.

Job Description

Now Hiring: Veterinary Assistant (Full-Time)

Lake Forest Animal Hospital

Gaithersburg, MD

$19-$24/hour

About Us

Lake Forest Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinary hospital with a team of 4 veterinarians providing high-quality care to the local community. We offer a wide range of services and pride ourselves on a collaborative, fast-paced environment where team members support one another and deliver excellent patient and client care.

We're a fun, close-knit group that enjoys what we do-think "goofy professionals" who take patient care seriously but still keep things light. We're also proud to have been ranked #76 out of 300 on the USA Today 2025 Best Veterinary Hospitals list-the highest-ranked hospital in Maryland.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay: $19-$24/hour
• Benefits package
• Flexible scheduling with rotating Saturdays
• Steady caseload with a variety of medical and surgical cases

Tentative Schedule

• Monday-Thursday: 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Friday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
• Every other Saturday: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Clinic Hours

• Monday-Thursday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Friday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Saturday: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• Sunday: 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM

What You'll Do

• Assist veterinarians and technicians with patient care
• Support exams, treatments, and procedures
• Safely handle and restrain animals
• Assist with diagnostics and lab work
• Maintain a clean, organized hospital environment
• Communicate clearly with team members and clients

What We're Looking For

• Previous animal hospital experience required
• Quick learner and self-starter
• Flexible and reliable with scheduling
• Strong communication skills
• Team-oriented with a positive attitude
• Passion for animal care and client service

Our Services

• Wellness and preventive care (exams, vaccines)
• Diagnostics (in-house and advanced testing)
• Surgery (routine and advanced procedures)
• Urgent care during business hours
• Boarding and grooming

Visit Our Website

If you're looking to grow your skills in a busy, supportive, and genuinely fun environment-we'd love to meet you!

Your Impact as a Veterinary Assistant

• Provide Essential Patient Care: You'll be a key player in the health of our patients, assisting the medical team with hands-on care and ensuring every animal is treated with compassion and respect.
• Be the Go-To Support for the Medical Team: You'll be the backbone of the clinic, anticipating the needs of veterinarians and technicians to ensure a smooth, efficient, and collaborative workflow.
• Create a Positive Client Experience: You'll help create a seamless visit for our clients by assisting with scheduling, payments, and communications, always with a courteous and informative approach.
• Ensure a Safe and Clean Environment: You'll take pride in maintaining the hospital, performing clinic upkeep and equipment maintenance to uphold our high standards of care.

What You'll Bring to the Team

• A High School Diploma or equivalent.
• A calm and efficient approach, with the ability to handle a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment with composure.
• Confidence and skill in handling pets of all sizes and temperaments.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Proficiency in fundamental veterinary skills ranging from laboratory and pharmacy to nursing and radiology is a strong asset.

Responsibilities and Benefits

How You're Supported

As part of the Mission Pet Health family, you get the stability of a local practice backed by the comprehensive benefits and resources of a larger network. The focus is on investing in you, so you can focus on what you love.

Note: Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support you at every stage. Eligibility for specific benefits varies based on your role and hours worked.

Competitive Compensation

A competitive hourly rate or salary based on your experience and role.

Health & Wellbeing

We offer comprehensive coverage options including Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, along with access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all teammates.

Financial Security

Plan for your future with our 401k retirement options and additional financial protection benefits like Life Insurance and Disability coverage.

Commitment to Growth

We support your career goals with opportunities for professional development, including educational assistance for qualified teammates to enroll in AVMA-accredited veterinary technician programs.

The Power of a Network

Join a nationwide community of over 20,000 veterinary professionals who share a passion for collaboration, career growth, and sharing best practices.

Valuable Perks

Enjoy discounted veterinary care for your own pets, access to an online discount platform, and free 24/7 access to doctors through Teladoc.

About Mission Pet Health

Mission Pet Health was founded by veterinarians on the belief that local practices thrive with clinical autonomy, collaboration, and medical excellence. The organization provides world-class support to its 850+ hospital teams on a hyper-local basis so they can focus on what matters most: the medicine, their patients, and their team culture. Learn more at missionpethealth.com.

Driving the award-winning culture are the WAG values - Work Together, Amaze, and Grow. Mission Pet Health is veterinarian-led, people-focused, and on a mission to be the best place to work in veterinary medicine. We are proud to be recognized as a 2025 "Most Loved Workplace," ranked #2 in America's Top 100 and #1 in veterinary care.

Reasonable Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation. Please contact ... with your request and contact information.

EEO Statement: Mission Pet Health is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.