Patient Care Assistant

CVS Group; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Staff discount on veterinary bills

Private healthcare

Employee Assistance Programme

Mental Health First-Aiders

Job summary

CVS Vets Fern Cottage Veterinary Clinic in Sittingbourne is seeking a Veterinary Patient Care Assistant who shares a passion for animal welfare. You will support RVNs and Vets with nursing, restraint, and handling of patients, and help maintain the practice's high standards of care.

The role involves practical duties across clinical and reception areas, a 40-hour week, and a pattern Monday to Friday with occasional Saturdays. Full training and a supportive team are provided.

Qualifications

• Excellent communicator with strong empathy.
• Excellent customer service and public interaction experience.
• Experience in animal welfare, including feeding, cleaning, medicating.
• Resilient and able to cope with distressing situations.
• Positive attitude and good teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Nursing care to patients.
• Assisting Vets and Nurses in restraining animals.
• Cleaning, walking, and feeding of patients.
• Prepare emergency and operating facilities.
• General cleaning and maintenance duties.
• Run internal lab samples.
• Answer emergency calls and receptionist duties.

Skills

Excellent communicator

Empathy

Customer service

Teamwork

Resilience

Job description

Are you passionate about making pets a priority? So are we!

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual with a passion for animals to join us as a Veterinary Patient Care Assistant at our Fern cottage Veterinary Clinic.

Location: Fern cottage Veterinary Clinic Sittingbourne Kent

Contract: MATERNITY COVER

Hours: 40 HRS

Shift Pattern: MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND ONE IN FOUR SATURDAYS

Discover Our Practice:

Fern Cottage Veterinary Centre is a well-established small animal practice in Sittingbourne, Kent, having served the local community since 1974. Conveniently located with free parking and excellent access to the A2, M2, and wider Kent transport network, the practice offers the perfect balance of a community-focused feel and easy connectivity to Maidstone, Canterbury, and the surrounding areas.

The team are passionate about professional development and creating a supportive workplace where new ideas are encouraged. Our facilities include an ultrasound machine, dental x-ray, digital x-ray, endoscope, and a fully equipped in-house laboratory.

Take a look at the practice; Fern Cottage 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.

Some of the duties will include:

• 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.