Patient Care Assistant

CVS Vets; England; Remote; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

National Minimum Wage

5 weeks holiday + bank holidays

Staff discount on vet bills

Private healthcare

Employee Assistance Programme

Mental Health First-Aiders

Job summary

CVS Group plc is hiring a Patient Care Assistant at Tilehurst Veterinary Centre in Reading. You will support RVNs and Vets with nursing care, feeding and handling of patients, and assist in emergency care.

The role is permanent, full-time, 40 hours per week, Mon-Fri with one in four Saturday mornings. A strong team ethos and commitment to animal welfare are essential, with training provided across clinical duties.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills with empathy and clear customer service approach.
• Experience dealing with the public and handling emotionally charged situations.
• Understanding of animal welfare needs and willingness to assist in care.
• Resilience and ability to work well in a busy veterinary team.

Responsibilities

• Nursing care to patients
• Assisting Vets and Nurses in restraining animals for treatment
• Cleaning, walking, and feeding of patients
• Preparation of emergency and operating facilities
• General cleaning and maintenance duties
• Running internal lab samples
• Answering emergency calls
• Covering the receptionist desk, including answering queries, booking appointments and taking payments

Skills

Effective communication

Empathy

Customer service

Animal welfare

Teamwork

Job description

Location

Tilehurst, Reading

Contract

PERMANENT

Hours

40hrs per week

Shift Pattern

Mon-Fri, with Saturday morning on a 1:4 rota

Discover Our Practice

We would love to welcome you into our close-knit team of passionate clinical and non-clinical staff, we pride ourselves on our high clinical standards and friendly team culture, this was highlighted when we were awarded practice of the year as nominated by vet students taking placements with us from Surrey University.

Active Vetcare - Tilehurst Veterinary Centre | CVS Vets

About CVS

CVS Group plc is one of the largest integrated veterinary services providers in the UK encompassing four main business areas; our veterinary practices, diagnostic laboratories, pet crematoria and e-commerce division.

Our success is derived from the passion our people have for animals and for making pets a priority, it's what is at the heart of our work, every day.

Take a look at our short film to recognise the remarkable work that our Vets, Nurses, Care Assistants and Receptionists do on the front line every day in the UK: CVS Ode to Veterinary Professionals

About the role

The Patient Care Assistant role is one of the foundations of an outstanding veterinary practice, and as a PCA you will be involved in supporting our team of qualified RVNs and Vets to provide outstanding care to our patients.

• Nursing care to patients
• Assisting Vets and Nurses in restraining animals for treatment
• Cleaning, walking, and feeding of patients
• Preparation of emergency and operating facilities
• General cleaning and maintenance duties
• Running internal lab samples
• Answering emergency calls
• Covering the receptionist desk, including answering queries, booking appointments and taking payments

What we're looking for in our Veterinary Patient Care Assistant

• An excellent communicator with strong empathy
• Excellent customer service skills and experience in dealing with members of the public
• Experience in animal welfare, including feeding, cleaning, medicating and handling and a high level of understanding of how to meet the welfare needs of animals
• Resilient with the ability to cope with potentially distressing and emotional situations
• A positive attitude and excellent teamwork skills
• Experience in looking after animals in a veterinary environment would be desirable

What we can offer you

We know that benefits are key and that your personal benefits priorities will differ from others, so please see some of what we offer below:

• Salary will be in line with the National Minimum Wage
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 5 weeks per year plus Bank Holidays
• Staff discount scheme on Veterinary bills and products
• A range of health benefits including private healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to over 400 Mental Health First-Aiders
• and more!

Or, if easier, you can find a full list by clicking the link here: CVS Employee Benefits

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept and progress applications from candidates without the Right to Work in the UK as we cannot provide visa sponsorship, due to our clinical support roles not meeting the criteria set out by the Home Office to be eligible.

CVS is committed to being a fully inclusive place to work where all our colleagues are encouraged and supported to be themselves, where difference is celebrated and where everyone feels able to deliver their best. We are also determined to build a workforce that is more representative of our diverse communities and the people we provide our services to.