Veterinary Care Assistant

PDSA; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Special days off

Pension scheme

Life assurance

AXA Health support

Staff discounts

Enhanced family leave

Pet insurance discount

Job summary

PDSA Derby is seeking a Veterinary Care Assistant to join the team. You will support hospital staff in day-to-day care, assist with animal handling and client interactions, and help with reception duties when required.

The role is a 12-month fixed-term contract with potential for growth within a supportive, pet-focused charity. Applicants must have a Veterinary Care Assistant Level 2 Diploma (or equivalent) and prior veterinary practice experience.

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold a Veterinary Care Assistant Level 2 Diploma (or equivalent qualification).
• Experience working within a veterinary practice is required.
• Role may be full-time or part-time and is a 12-month fixed-term contract.

Responsibilities

• Support the hospital team in all day-to-day care.
• Assist with animal handling and provide hands-on support to Veterinary Nurses and Surgeons.
• Talk to clients about appropriate financial contributions empathetically and professionally.
• Provide reception duties when needed.

Skills

Customer service

Animal handling

Communication

Education

Veterinary Care Assistant Level 2 Diploma

Job description

Make a difference every day with PDSA

AboutUs

Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA have provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people in financial hardship.

We’renow on a journey to expand our reach to support even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape a future-focused PDSA. Together,we'llbuild a stronger organisation to ensure our services help those who need us most for the next hundred years.

Ifyou'reready to make a real difference and be part of a teamthat'screating positive change, we want you to join us.Let'sbuild a brighter future for pets and owners, together.

About you

We’re looking for a Veterinary Care Assistant to join our friendly team at PDSA Derby.You’ll be committed to providing a high standard of customer service and clinical care, promoting pet wellbeing and supporting the wider clinical team. You’ll enjoy working in a busy, purpose-led environment where you can make a real difference to pets and owners who really need our help.

In this role, you’ll support the hospital team in all aspects of day-to-day care. You’ll help maintain a clean, safe and hygienic environment at all times, assist with animal handling, work on reception when needed and provide hands-on support to our Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Surgeons. You’ll also be comfortable talking to clients about appropriate financial contributions, always with empathy and professionalism. Depending on the needs of the hospital, you may work full-time or part-time hours, and this role offers an excellent starting point if you’re looking to build a career within veterinary practice.

Applicants must hold a Veterinary Care Assistant Level 2 Diploma (or equivalent qualification) and have experience working within a veterinary practice.

You will be highly self-motivated, with strong customer service skills and a caring, practical approach. Due to the varied shift pattern, applicants must be aged 18 or over.

We are looking for someone who is organised, reliable and able to work effectively as part of a supportive team

Above all, you’ll be passionate about animal welfare and keen to learn, grow and contribute to the valuable work PDSA does in the local community.

This is a full time role working for 12 months on a fixed term contract.

About the hospital

PDSA Derbyis a highly collaborative, effective hospital, a great place for teamwork, case discussion and shared learning. Our teams have varied clinical interests, giving you access to a wide pool of knowledge and experience when discussing cases and treatment plans.

Our Pet Hospitals are modern and well-equipped and include separate dog and cat kennelling facilities, in-house radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, piped gases and extensive orthopaedic equipment.

Rewards,supportand benefits

We’rereally passionateabout beinga great placeto work,somewhere people feel proud of what they do, connected to a meaningful purpose, and able to make a genuine difference every day. Our teams are collaborative and supportive, and we encourage everyone to bring their ideas,individualityand passion for pets to work with them.

As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people-focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:

• Flexible working options to support your work–life balance and individual circumstances.
• 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays.
• Three paid special days off: Volunteering Day, CelebrationDayand Wellbeing Day annually.
• Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.
• Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind.
• AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, with 24/7 wellbeing support.
• Retail,holidayand lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.
• Enhanced maternity,paternityand adoption leave to support you and your family.
• 10% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.

PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individualsare able tomake best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.

If you have any questions or concernsregardingaccessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you mayrequirethroughout the recruitment process.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.

To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references andappropriate backgroundchecks.