Veterinary Patient Care Assistant

CVS Veterinary Group; Rayleigh; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

National Minimum Wage

Five weeks' annual leave (pro rata)

Staff discount on veterinary bills

Animed Direct discount

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

CVS Vets is seeking a Veterinary Care Assistant to join YourVets Veterinary Hospital in Rayleigh. You will support RVNs and Vets, providing nursing care and helping to maintain a calm, compassionate environment for animal patients.

This permanent, full-time role offers 40 hours per week with a varied shift pattern across a 24/7 hospital, and includes reception support tasks and patient admissions at Greensward House, 12 Brook Road, Rayleigh, SS6 7UR.

Qualifications

• Experience in animal welfare and handling is essential.
• Ability to restrain animals and assist Vets and RVNs.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Willingness to work varied shifts including weekends.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care to patients.
• Assist Vets and Nurses with animal restraint.
• Walk, feed, and clean patients; prepare emergency and operating facilities.
• Perform general cleaning and maintenance.
• Run internal lab samples.
• Answer emergency calls.
• Support reception team with appointments and payments.

Skills

Customer service

Public interaction

Communication skills

Empathy

Resilience

Team player

Job description

Are you ready to put pets first? Join our team as our new Veterinary Care Assistant.

At YourVets Veterinary Hospital, we make pets a priority every day!

Role Details:

Location: Greensward House, 12 Brook Road, Rayleigh, SS6 7UR

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week

Shift Pattern: Monday - Sunday on a varied shift pattern as our hospital is open 24 hours a day

Discover Our Hospital:

Get a glimpse of what makes us special: YourVets Veterinary Hospital - Rayleigh - CVS Vets 24/7 | CVS Vets

About CVS Vets:

Joining a CVS Vets-owned practice is more than just starting a job-it's the beginning of a rewarding career with one of the UK's leading veterinary groups.

Our mission is simple yet meaningful: to provide the best possible care for animals, and this dedication guides everything we do.

With a network of over 500 practices and more than 8,000 devoted professionals, you'll become part of a supportive community focused on one goal: putting pets first.

It's in our nature - to care, to support, to learn and to progress. That's what sets us apart at CVS Vets.

About the role:

The Patient Care Assistant position is crucial in any veterinary practice. You'll support our skilled RVN's and Vets in providing exceptional care to our animal patients.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing nursing care to our patients
• Assisting Vets and Nurses with animal restraint
• Walking, feeding, and cleaning patientsPreparing emergency and operating facilities
• Performing general cleaning and maintenance
• Running internal lab samples
• Answering emergency calls
• Supporting the reception team when needed, including booking appointments and processing payments

Who We’re Looking For:

• Skilled in customer service and public interaction
• Resilience and the ability to handle emotional situations with kindness and professionalism
• Strong communication skills paired with genuine empathy
• Experienced in animal welfare, including feeding, cleaning, and handling - this is essential!
• Resilient and capable of handling emotional situations
• Positive and a team player
• Preferably have experience in a veterinary environment

Our Offer to You:

We understand that benefits matter. Here are just a few of the perks you'll enjoy:

• Salary aligned with the National Minimum Wage
• Five weeks' annual leave (pro rata) per annum, plus bank holidays
• Staff discount scheme on Veterinary bills and care
• Staff discount on Animed Direct, our online dispensary, where you can benefit from discounts on pet medicines, products and food
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support
• And lots more, as part of our commitment to help you feel recognised, supported and appreciated!

CVS Vets is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their true selves, celebrating diversity and empowering each team member to perform at their best.

We're committed to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

Please note: We can only accept and progress applications from candidates with the Right to Work in the UK, as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for clinical support roles due to Home Office criteria.