Animal Care Assistant

IVC Evidensia; Reading; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A small animal veterinary hospital is seeking a dedicated Animal Care Assistant to join their clinical team in Reading. You will handle various animals, support vets during procedures, and maintain a clean clinical environment. The role offers full-time hours with several employee benefits, including generous annual leave and learning opportunities.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave

Birthday leave

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Cycle to work scheme

Employee wellbeing initiatives

Learning and development opportunities

Discounted staff pet care

Qualifications

• Passion for working with animals in a veterinary environment.
• Ability to maintain cleanliness and infection control.
• Competence in supporting veterinary procedures.

Responsibilities

• Handle a variety of animals safely and compassionately.
• Support vets and nurses during patient care and procedures.
• Ensure all clinical areas are cleaned to a high standard.

Skills

Handling animals safely

Compassionate care

Cleaning and sterilisation

Laboratory sample processing

Housekeeping support

Job description

Are you passionate about working with animals and looking for a hands-on role in a supportive veterinary environment? Castle Vets, a well-established small animal hospital in Reading, is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Animal Care Assistant to join our hardworking clinical team.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Handling a variety of animals safely and compassionately
• Supporting vets and nurses during patient care and procedures
• Ensuring all clinical areas are cleaned to a high standard in line with infection control protocols
• Sterilising surgical equipment and maintaining cleanliness of instruments
• Running and processing in-house laboratory samples (e.g. bloods, urine, faecal samples)
• Restocking clinical areas and assisting with general housekeeping

About Us

Castle Vets is a trusted small animal veterinary hospital providing outstanding patient care. We’re proud to hold RCVS Hospital Status as well as Gold Cat Friendly and Silver Rabbit Friendly accreditations. Our modern facilities include a CT scanner, digital and dental X-ray, ultrasound, and endoscopy. You’ll be part of a supportive, friendly team that values compassion, professionalism, and excellence in everything we do for our patients and clients.

Working Hours

This is a full-time, permanent position, 40 hours per week. Shifts are between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday. You will also be required to work 1 in 3 Saturday mornings, 8:00 am to 1:30 pm.

Benefits:

• 6.6 weeks annual leave
• Additional annual leave for your birthday, which will be added to your holiday allowance
• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Cycle to work scheme
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
• Non-accidental injury support
• Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Pawsome Benefits - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100's of retailers
• Pension scheme
• Discounted staff pet care

Up to £25,484.71 DOE