PCA

CVS Veterinary Group; Hastings; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount

Private healthcare

Employee assistance

Job summary

CVS Veterinary Group is seeking a Veterinary Patient Care Assistant for Coopers Veterinary Centre in Hastings. The role supports our veterinary team in delivering high-quality care to small animals.

Duties include nursing care, restraining animals, cleaning and feeding patients, and assisting with emergency facilities. The successful candidate will bring empathy, strong communication, and a team-focused approach.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and empathy when dealing with clients and team members.
• Experience in customer service and handling the public.
• Experience in animal welfare, including feeding, cleaning, medicating and meeting welfare needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care to patients and support RVNs and Vets.
• Assist with restraining animals for treatment.
• Clean, walk and feed patients; prepare emergency and operating facilities.
• Perform general cleaning and maintenance duties.
• Run internal lab samples and help with tests.
• Answer emergency calls and assist at reception (appointments and payments).

Skills

Strong communication

Empathy

Customer service

Animal welfare knowledge

Resilience

Teamwork

Tools

Laboratory procedures

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 Coopers veterinary centre, Hastings.

Location: Coopers veterinary centre

Contract: PERMANENT

Hours: 40

Shift Pattern: Mon-Friday with 1 in 4 Saturdays

Discover Our Practice:

The practice has been established for over 60 years, we see all small animals including exotics. The practice is a purpose-built building set within its own grounds.

Take a look at the practice; Coopers 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:

• 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.