Veterinary Care Assistant

Veterinary Care Assistant, Vets4Pets Gateshead, 20 hours per week

£12.71 an hour (National Living Wage, 21 and over)

We have an opportunity for an enthusiastic Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) to join our team at Vets4Pets Gateshead.

Unlike many veterinary practices, we are individually locally owned and managed. We are a 100% small animal practice with a fantastic client base and a team that takes genuine pride in the care and service we provide.

No experience is needed. We are looking for the right person rather than the perfect CV. If you are reliable, hardworking and happy to get stuck in, we will give you full training to our standards.

The position

20 hours per week, Monday to Saturday, on a rota with Saturdays worked on a rotating basis. We are open 9am to 7.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm on Saturday. Gateshead is temporarily closed on Saturdays, but this may change in future.

Cleaning is a large part of every shift. In a veterinary practice it is how we control infection and keep our patients safe, so it matters as much as the hands-on care, and you will be doing a lot of both.

This is a working wage role, paid at the National Minimum Wage rate for your age. At 21 and over that is the National Living Wage, £12.71 an hour.

What you will be doing

• Keeping kennels, consult rooms, theatre and the whole practice clean and hygienic, which is central to infection control and patient safety.
• Making sure our inpatients are kennelled, fed and watered, safe and secure, and have a good experience while they are with us.
• Providing basic patient care, keeping accurate records and letting the vets and nurses know of any change in a patient's condition.
• Handling and holding patients for the clinical team.
• Preparing and cleaning surgical and X-ray equipment, and helping with infection control.
• Supporting the vets and nurses during procedures by having the right equipment and materials ready.
• Helping on reception, including booking appointments on our practice management system and preparing patient paperwork.

What we are looking for

• Someone who takes pride in high standards of cleanliness and hygiene, and is happy that this is a big part of the role.
• A genuine interest in animal welfare and a calm, gentle way with pets.
• Good customer service, with the ability to understand what clients need and respond promptly.
• A team player who is flexible and happy to help wherever needed.
• Organised, able to prioritise your workload and stay calm when the practice is busy.
• Clear, tactful communication with clients and colleagues.
• Willing to learn and committed to your own development.

What we offer

• Full training from day one.
• Funded CPD and in-house career development opportunities.
• 20% discount at Vets4Pets Gateshead, Pets at Home and the Groom Room.
• Access to a wide range of discounts and cashbacks.
• Pension scheme and competitive holiday allowance.
• A supportive, close-knit team in a practice that genuinely cares about the people who work here.

We want our team to be as diverse as our clients. If you meet most of what we are looking for and think you can bring something great to the role, we would love to hear from you.

Location: Vets4Pets Gateshead, inside Pets at Home, Unit B Cameron Retail Park, Metro Centre, Gateshead, NE11 9XS

We take our inspiration from pets in embracing people from all walks of life, and we value, respect and celebrate difference. We encourage our people to be their best selves so that we can create a better world for Pets, our Planet, and People. Our ambition is to reflect the diversity of the communities we operate in, and we are intentional in addressing and removing barriers to create opportunities for the exceptional talent and potential in our communities. Even if your skills and experience don't perfectly align, if you think you can make a unique contribution through your values and behaviours, we want to hear from you!