Patient Care Assistant

CVS Veterinary Group; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks + bank holidays off

Staff discount on veterinary bills

Private healthcare

Employee assistance programme

Mental health support

Job summary

CVS Veterinary Group is seeking a Veterinary Patient Care Assistant at Putlands Veterinary Centre in Paddock Wood to support RVNs and Vets in delivering outstanding patient care. The role involves nursing care, animal handling, and assisting in emergencies with a patient-focused team.

You will contribute to a compassionate, collaborative practice with a friendly culture and opportunities for growth. The position offers 40 hours per week, with 4 or 5 days, including two Saturday mornings, and a

Qualifications

• Excellent communicator with strong empathy.
• Excellent customer service skills and experience in dealing with members of the public.
• Experience in animal welfare and handling to meet the welfare needs of animals.
• Resilient with the ability to cope with potentially distressing and emotional situations.
• Positive attitude and excellent teamwork skills.

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

Empathy

Communication

Customer service

Animal welfare experience

Teamwork

Veterinary environment experience

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 Putlands Veterinary Centre in Paddock Wood.

Location: Paddock Wood

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 40 hours

Shift Pattern: 4 or 5 days per week - open to flexibility, 2 in 7 Saturday mornings

Discover Our Practice:

Putlands Vets is a mixed animal practice where no two days are the same, offering the opportunity to care for a wide variety of patients. We are passionate about providing exceptional patient care and are committed to continuous clinical improvement every day.

Working collaboratively as a team, we strive to bring out the best in one another, supporting each individual to become the best version of themselves. The Putlands team feels like a family, with some team members having been part of the practice for more than 25 years, reflecting the supportive and welcoming culture we have built.

As well as being a fantastic place to work, Putlands benefits from an excellent location. Situated just a short drive from Royal Tunbridge Wells and with a train station in Paddock Wood, the practice offers convenient access to London and the south coast.

Take a look at the practice; www.cvsvets.com/south-east/putlands-veterinary-centre

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.