Veterinary Patient Care Assistant

Linnaeus Group; London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits as a Patient Care Assistant at a new multidisciplinary referral centre in Hammersmith. This role is perfect for someone passionate about animal care, offering a chance to work collaboratively with a dedicated team of professionals. Responsibilities include providing outstanding patient care, maintaining hospital hygiene, and assisting in various veterinary disciplines. Join a forward-thinking partnership that values quality practices and invests in the well-being of both its patients and staff. If you're eager to contribute to a thriving veterinary community, this position is tailored for you.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in veterinary patient care is essential.
• Completion of an animal care course is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide high standards of patient and client care.
• Maintain patient accommodation and uphold hygiene standards.
• Assist with surgical procedures and client communication.

Skills

Veterinary patient care experience

Animal care course completion

Teamwork

Effective communication

Record keeping

Hospital hygiene standards

Education

Completion of an animal care course

Tools

In-house lab equipment

Job description

JOB TITLE: Patient Care Assistant

REPORTING TO: Head of Nursing Services

HOURS: Full-Time (40 Hours/Week)

SALARY: From £25,000 DOE

START DATE: Winter 2024/ Spring 2025

An exciting opportunity has opened at London Vet Specialists for a Patient Care Assistant to join our expanding team in our new multidisciplinary referral centre in Hammersmith. The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a veterinary patient care role or completion of an animal care course.

Company Profile

London Vet Specialists originated as a boutique small animal referral centre in Belsize Park, North London and in May 2024, relocated to a new state-of-the-art site in Hammersmith, West London. The hospital boasts an incredible location on the banks of the river Thames, nestled within the bustling and thriving Hammersmith & Fulham neighbourhood. We now have a complete complement of specialist-led services, including orthopaedic and soft-tissue surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology, anaesthesia & analgesia, cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, neurology & emergency and critical care.

Linnaeus is a forward-thinking partnership of highly respected primary care and referral veterinary practices across the UK and Ireland, comprising some of the best clinicians in the profession. Linnaeus invests in quality practices who put patient care at the heart of everything they do. Together we provide a growing community of like-minded veterinary professionals who are passionate about what they do.

Role Overview

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) will be responsible for working collaboratively with the Head of Nursing Services (HoNS), Lead Nurses, Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVN) and Clinicians across the hospital to ensure the efficient delivery of outstanding patient care through all services. You will work enthusiastically with the nursing team to help maintain a happy and efficient working environment.

Your responsibilities will include the provision of high standards of patient and client care, promoting the comfort and safety of patients undergoing investigations, maintaining patient accommodation, upholding a high standard of hospital hygiene, accurate record keeping & effective communication and teamwork.

As a multi-disciplinary PCA role, your work will be shared throughout all disciplines at LVS, including wards, theatre/sterilisation, laboratory, cardiology, ophthalmology, consults, pharmacy and client care. This role will have a rotation of shift patterns, including evening and weekend work, where the ideal candidate will have animal care experience in a veterinary setting.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide inpatient care under the direction of the clinicians and nursing team, such as exercising, feeding and grooming hospitalised patients.
2. Maintain patient accommodation, considering the condition and welfare of the patient, providing environmental enrichment and supportive aids as required.
3. Demonstrate the ability to provide a high standard of hospital hygiene, to include cleaning and disinfection in all areas.
4. Clean, pack and sterilise surgical instruments and sterile supplies.
5. Theatre maintenance including preparation and cleaning between surgeries.
6. Assist with patient preparation, surgical team support and recovery under the direction of the clinicians and RVNs.
7. Assist with laboratory diagnostic techniques including use of in-house lab equipment to process samples and packaging for external laboratories.
8. Assist with stock management, such as unpacking orders, stock rotation, quarterly stock takes and coordinating with the pharmacy & purchasing assistant.
9. Assist with reception and client care to include greeting clients, answering the telephone, taking payments and scheduling appointments.
10. Under the direction of the clinicians and nursing team, contact and liaise with clients to provide/receive patient updates.
11. Participate in team briefings and meetings to ensure effective and efficient communication.