Veterinary Care Assistant - OOH

British Veterinary Association; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable veterinary organization located in High Wycombe is seeking a Veterinary Care Assistant to provide essential animal care services. The role includes feeding, cleaning, and supporting veterinary staff, along with a structured night shift pattern for a healthy work-life balance. Candidates should be reliable, calm under pressure, and willing to learn. The position offers a competitive salary and numerous employee benefits including enhanced leave policies and well-being initiatives.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave

Additional leave for birthday

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Cycle to work scheme

Employee wellbeing initiatives

Discounted staff pet care

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in a veterinary or animal care setting is preferred but not essential.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Calm and confident in a busy environment.

Responsibilities

• Feeding, cleaning, and exercising inpatients.
• Maintain infection control throughout the hospital.
• Support nurses and clinicians in wards and theatre.
• Assist with patient restraint and cleaning of equipment.
• Maintain machinery and equipment.

Skills

Animal care experience

Reliability

Teamwork

Calmness under pressure

Willingness to learn

Job description

Overview

Your Future in Veterinary

We are looking for a VCA with a genuine love of animals and animal welfare. Previous experience in a veterinary or animal care setting is preferred but not essential.

Attributes

• Reliable, responsible, and able to work independently and collaboratively
• Calm and confident in a busy, sometimes challenging environment
• Willingness to learn and take on new tasks

Responsibilities

• Feeding, cleaning, and exercising inpatients
• Maintain a high-level of infection prevention control throughout our hospital including kennel cleaning and laundry.
• Supporting our nurses and clinicians in wards and theatre, including assisting with emergency admissions.
• You will assist with patient restraint, maintain kennels, conduct laboratory tasks, and manage the cleaning and sterilisation of equipment and instruments.
• Maintaining and caring for machinery and equipment.

Hospital designed for excellence

Located just outside High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, Hamilton Specialist Referrals (HSR) is a purpose-built, 24-hour veterinary hospital equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to deliver advanced treatments for cats and dogs, along with exceptional rehabilitation and physiotherapy services.

Even as a large team, we are dedicated to fostering a friendly and supportive culture that emphasizes growth, clinical excellence, and gold-standard patient care.

Working Pattern

This role offers a structured and sustainable 4 nights on, 8 nights off rotating shift pattern, allowing for a strong work-life balance. You will work 13-hour shifts, running from 7:30 pm to 6:30 am. In addition to the core schedule, there is a requirement to work approximately 12 additional shifts per year, which can be scheduled either monthly or flexibly, depending on your availability and team needs.

Our people are at the heart of what we do

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive salary you will benefit from:

• 6.6 weeks annual leave or FTE
• Additional annual leave for your birthday which will be added to your holiday allowance
• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/ paternity/ adoption/ shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Cycle to work scheme
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
• Non-accidental injury support
• Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Pawsome Benefits - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100's of retailers
• Pension scheme
• Discounted staff pet care