Surgery Rotational Animal Care Assistant

Langford Veterinary Services; Langford; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Langford Veterinary Services is seeking a Surgical Rotating Assistant to support the surgical team and ensure high standards of patient care. This full-time role offers hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art facility, involving direct interaction with patients and veterinary professionals. Ideal candidates will have a keen interest in animal care, practical experience in a veterinary environment, and the ability to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues. Enjoy a supportive work culture with opportunities for development and flexible work patterns.

Benefits

5 weeks holiday per year (plus bank holidays)

Annual CPD allowance

Employee discount

Pension scheme (we match up to 8%)

Free onsite parking

Mental Wellbeing Champions on site

Qualifications

• Confidence and experience in animal handling and restraint.
• Practical experience in a veterinary or animal-based environment.
• Interest in advancing qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinary surgeons and nurses with clinical procedures and patient handling.
• Maintain asepsis throughout the hospital, including stocking supplies.
• Help prepare patients for surgery, including pre-operative procedures.

Skills

Animal handling

Effective communication

Teamwork

Education

Animal Nursing Assistant qualification or equivalent

Job description

Do you want to work within our surgical team as a surgical rotating assistant?

Rotating between the canine surgical ward areas and theatre is a great opportunity to learn about management of surgical patients. Get involved in all stages of the patient’s journey and expand your knowledge in surgical procedures and nursing care.

Work in our state-of-the-art theatres, working alongside renowned specialists in Orthopaedics, Soft Tissue, Anaesthesia, Cardiology and Neurology. The Theatre assistants work alongside our surgeons, anaesthetists, and nurses to support the flow of patients throughout theatres. They assist in induction pods, clipping, prepping patients, circulating with surgical cases, preparing, and closing theatres, and processing surgical instrumentation and equipment.

The successful candidate will also work within our canine surgical wards with our surgical teams. The surgery ward team helps with pre-operative diagnostic tests, preparing patients for surgical procedures, and post-operative management, including medication, physiotherapy, and general nursing care. Animal care assistants play a fundamental role in inpatient care, stocking, cleaning, and infection control.

The ideal candidate will ensure a high standard of cleanliness, take responsibility for duties including infection control, have a desire to learn, and work under pressure positively.

Previous experience in a veterinary environment is desirable but not essential.

Flexibility is necessary as the post will require participation in the OOH rota.

The role is full-time, working 39.38 hours per week, Monday to Sunday, including 1:4 weekends.

Benefits and Wellbeing

Our people are at the heart of what we do. We offer flexibility, support, and staff development where possible:

Time off
- 5 weeks holiday per year (plus bank holidays)
- Additional holiday for Long Service

Wellbeing
- On-site Mental Wellbeing Champions
- EDI committee
- Employee Forum
- Menopause Café
- Wellbeing talks and events
- Cycle to work scheme
- Family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity pay (after 2 years’ service)

Health
- SimplyHealth Cashplan
- Free annual flu vaccination
- Free Specsavers eye test voucher

General
- Free onsite parking
- U2 bus service link to Bristol
- Annual CPD allowance
- Employee discount
- Pension scheme (we match up to 8%)
- Reimbursement of one professional membership fee per year

How to Apply

If this role sounds right for you, click ‘Apply’ to begin your career with Langford Vets.

• Closing date: 7th July 2025
• Interviews: 10th July 2025

To assist the veterinary and support staff of the Small Animal Hospital, Surgery Building, in maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene throughout all clinical areas. To assist clinicians and nursing staff with inpatient care at all stages of treatment. To assist with setting up and maintaining rooms and equipment for Theatre and anaesthesia. Participation in a flexible working pattern and weekend rota is required.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Assist veterinary surgeons and nurses with clinical procedures and patient handling and restraint
• Maintain asepsis throughout the hospital, including wards, theatres, and prep rooms, and ensure all areas are stocked with supplies
• Assist veterinary nurses with inpatient care, including feeding, walking, and cleaning hospitalized animals
• Assist with patient procedures such as bandage changes, x-rays, physiotherapy, blood sampling, and catheter placement
• Assist the anaesthesia team with equipment setup and patient restraint for pre-medication and induction
• Help maintain anaesthesia equipment, including changing cylinders, filling vaporisers, cleaning, and stocking
• Assist in preparing patients for surgery, including clipping and skin prep
• Help set up theatres for surgery, including cleaning and packing instruments
• Support the surgical team during procedures, including opening kits, fetching equipment, and recording consumables
• Set up surgical kits as per requests and checklists
• Perform daily, weekly, and monthly duties as per checklists, including end-of-day shutdowns
• Maintain accurate patient records of clinical notes, treatment, diagnoses, and communication
• Clean staff changing rooms and toilets in absence of cleaners
• Maintain good working relationships with team members
• Communicate effectively and pleasantly with clients and colleagues
• Identify opportunities for business improvement and discuss problems openly to implement improvements
• Perform other duties as requested by the Head Surgical Nurse

Person Specification

The skills, abilities, experience, and knowledge required include:

• Confidence and experience in animal handling and restraint
• Practical experience in a veterinary or animal-based environment
• Basic understanding of English and mathematics
• Animal Nursing Assistant qualification or equivalent
• Effective communication with clients
• Interest in advancing qualifications