Veterinary Care Assistant

Vets for Pets; Basildon; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary practice in Basildon is seeking a passionate Veterinary Care Assistant to join their team on a full-time basis until August 2026. Responsibilities include keeping the clinic organized, monitoring patients, assisting in clinical tests, and engaging with clients. Ideal candidates should have strong communication skills, basic computer literacy, and a passion for animal care. The practice offers a supportive environment and various employee benefits. This position requires working 40 hours per week including weekends.

Benefits

20% discount at Vet Group

Access to discounts and cashbacks

In-house career development opportunities

Pension and holiday allowance

Qualifications

• Experience in a veterinary or animal care setting is advantageous.
• Ability to handle and care for a variety of small animals.
• Strong customer service skills and a friendly demeanor.

Responsibilities

• Keep the clinic clean, tidy, and organized.
• Feed and monitor in-patients.
• Run clinical tests and manage stock.
• Assist with operations setup and deep cleaning.
• Communicate with clients both in person and over the phone.

Skills

Verbal communication skills

Basic computer literacy

Ability to work as a team player

Enthusiasm and willingness to learn

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and passionate Veterinary Care Assistant to join us at Basildon Pipps Hill Vets for Pets on a fixed term basis until August 2026!

Our practice is bright, spacious, air‑conditioned and purpose built to industry leading standards and has state of the art equipment including digital X‑ray and in‑house laboratory facilities. We're looking for a team player who is willing to get stuck in, work hard, and keen to learn.

Your tasks will include keeping the clinic clean, tidy, and organised; feeding and monitoring in‑patients; running clinical tests; managing stock; handling a variety of small animals; helping set up for operations; deep cleaning all areas; speaking to clients on the phone and in person. Good verbal communication skills and basic computer literacy are essential.

This is a full‑time role working 40 hours per week and will include weekends on a rota basis. The position is fixed term until August 2026.

The attributes required

• You are the friendly and welcoming face for the client and their pets when they arrive at the practice.
• You are able to provide guidance by keeping yourself fully up‑to‑speed with the practice services and any additional services available.
• You are calm, attentive and always focus on the clients’ needs.
• You will bring enthusiasm and drive to your role. Your passion for service is matched with your love of pets.
• You can deal with everything that is thrown at you, from comforting a client who has had some bad news about their pet or sharing in the joy of a new puppy’s first visit to the vet.
  Your personality is infectious and along with your fellow colleagues, you create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere in the practice.
  Previous experience would be advantageous.

In short, you like to be busy, enjoy helping people and their pets and always endeavour to make a difference.

Benefits

In return, we offer such benefits as 20% discount at the Vet Group, Pets at Home and the Groom Room, access to discounts and cashbacks, in‑house career development opportunities, pension and holiday allowance. The hourly wages are NMW.

Location: SS14 3AF

We take our inspiration from pets in embracing people from all walks of life, and we value, respect and celebrate difference. We encourage our people to be their best selves so that we can create a better world for Pets, our Planet, and People. Our ambition is to reflect the diversity of the communities we operate in, and we are intentional in addressing and removing barriers to create opportunities for the exceptional talent and potential in our communities. Even if your skills and experience don’t perfectly align, if you think you can make a unique contribution through your values and behaviours, we want to hear from you!