Veterinary Care Assistant

Pdsa; Swansea; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working opportunities

Generous CPD opportunities

Professional membership fees paid

25 days' holiday + Bank Holidays

Three paid special days per year

Pension scheme

Life assurance

EAP and wellbeing support

Retail, holiday and lifestyle benefits

Family-friendly leave policies

Staff veterinary service benefits

Discounts on PDSA Pet Insurance

Job summary

PDSA is seeking a Veterinary Care Assistant to join our hospital team in Swansea, helping deliver compassionate, high‑quality care to pets and their owners across inpatient care, theatre, dispensary, radiography, cleaning and reception.

You will work within a collaborative clinical team, maintain infection control standards and support client education while ensuring services are delivered efficiently in line with PDSA's mission to improve pet wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Must hold Veterinary Care Assistant qualification or equivalent recognised by PDSA.
• Aged 18 or over.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Capable of working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Demonstrate a strong client care focus.
• Be computer literate and comfortable using clinical systems.
• Ideally have previous experience working within a veterinary or clinical environment.

Responsibilities

• Supporting patient care across wards, theatre and clinical areas.
• Assisting with dispensary, radiography and reception activities as required.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and infection control throughout the hospital.
• Delivering excellent, empathetic client care aligned with PDSA values.
• Helping clients understand the services available to them and promoting responsible pet ownership.
• Supporting compliance with clinical governance, health and safety, stock control and hospital procedures.
• Contributing to the development of colleagues through knowledge sharing and support.
• Working collaboratively with the wider veterinary team to deliver outstanding patient and client experiences.

Skills

Communication skills

Client care orientation

Computer literacy

Teamwork

Education

Veterinary Care Assistant qualification or equivalent

Job description

*Temporary 6 month contract*

Make a difference every day with PDSA

For over 100 years, PDSA has provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people facing financial hardship. Join us and help make a real difference to pets and the people who love them, while being part of a charity that's evolving to reach even more communities.

Support exceptional patient care as a Veterinary Care Assistant

As a Veterinary Care Assistant at PDSA, you'll play a vital role in supporting our clinical teams to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to pets and their owners. Working across a range of areas including inpatient care, theatre, dispensary, radiography, cleaning and reception, you'll enjoy a varied role where no two days are the same.

You'll be part of a collaborative hospital team, helping ensure our services are delivered efficiently, professionally and in line with PDSA's mission to improve pet wellbeing through prevention, treatment and client education.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting patient care across wards, theatre and clinical areas.
• Assisting with dispensary, radiography and reception activities as required.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and infection control throughout the hospital.
• Delivering excellent, empathetic client care aligned with PDSA values.
• Helping clients understand the services available to them and promoting responsible pet ownership.
• Supporting compliance with clinical governance, health and safety, stock control and hospital procedures.
• Contributing to the development of colleagues through knowledge sharing and support.
• Working collaboratively with the wider veterinary team to deliver outstanding patient and client experiences.

Work pattern & rota

We recognise the importance of achieving a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working opportunities wherever possible.

• 37.5 hours per week
• Shifts between the hours of 07:30 - 19:30
• 1 hour lunch break

Rewards, Support and Benefits

• Flexible working options to support your work-life balance and individual circumstances.
• Generous CPD opportunities to support your ongoing development.
• Payment of professional membership fees where applicable.
• 25 days' holiday plus Bank Holidays, with the option to buy or sell additional leave.
• Three paid special days each year: Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day.
• Pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Life assurance for added peace of mind.
• AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support.
• Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts through our Fetch benefits platform.
• Enhanced family-friendly leave policies.
• Staff veterinary service benefits and discounts on PDSA Pet Insurance.

About you

We are looking for someone who is passionate about animal welfare and enjoys being part of a busy, dedicated clinical team.

To be successful, you'll:

• Hold a Veterinary Care Assistant qualification or equivalent qualification recognised by PDSA.
• Be aged 18 or over.
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be capable of working efficiently in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Demonstrate a strong client care focus.
• Be computer literate and comfortable using clinical systems.
• Ideally have previous experience working within a veterinary or clinical environment.

About the Hospital

PDSA Pet Hospitals are highly collaborative environments where teamwork, learning and patient care are at the heart of everything we do. You'll work alongside experienced Veterinary Surgeons, Veterinary Nurses and support colleagues, helping deliver a vital service to pets and owners within your local community.

Our hospitals are well equipped and provide exposure to a diverse caseload, offering excellent opportunities to develop your practical skills and knowledge while making a meaningful difference every day.

Diversity & Inclusion

PDSA is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory references and the appropriate pre-employment checks. As a safeguarding organisation, we expect all colleagues to share our commitment to protecting children, adults at risk and one another.