Patient Care Assistant

CVS Group; Thatcham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

A veterinary practice in Thatcham seeks a compassionate OOH Patient Care Assistant for weekend shifts. Responsibilities include supporting veterinary teams, handling animals, and ensuring high standards of customer care. Prior experience in animal welfare and excellent communication skills are essential. The role offers flexible hours and generous benefits, including annual leave and a staff discount scheme.

Benefits

National Minimum Wage

Generous annual leave of 5 weeks

Buy/sell up to 4 weeks annual leave

Staff discount on Veterinary services

Private healthcare benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Access to Mental Health First-Aiders

Qualifications

• Experience in animal handling, cleaning, feeding, and medicating.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to work in emotionally distressing situations.

Responsibilities

• Support RVNs and Vets in providing outstanding patient care.
• Handle animals during treatment and perform cleaning duties.
• Answer calls, greet clients, and maintain high customer care standards.

Skills

Excellent communication

Customer service skills

Experience in animal welfare

Resilience for emotional situations

Positive attitude

Teamwork skills

Job description

Overview

We have a fantastic opportunity for an OOH Patient Care Assistant to join our team here at MiNight Summerleaze!

The hours for this role are Friday, Saturday and Sunday 7pm-8am. Start date 3rd January 2026 for 1 year fixed term maternity cover contract. We would be happy to hear from candidates who would like to do less hours/job share.

The PCA role is one of the foundations of an outstanding veterinary practice, as a PCA you would be involved in supporting our team of qualified RVNs and Vets to provide outstanding care to our patients, working alongside a lovely team of people. This role will involve animal handling, assisting vets and nurses in restraining animals for treatment, cleaning, walking and feeding patients, general cleaning and maintenance duties, answering phone calls, reception cover, greeting clients and providing the highest standards of animal and customer care.

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
• Buy/sell up to an additional 4 weeks annual leave
• 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 thinking through the company materials: What We Offer

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.