Job description
The role
Our Veterinary Care Assistants, known as Patient Care Assistants, are an integral part of the team in practice. You will be supporting the team by performing a variety of duties, such as maintaining kennels and the general environment following cleaning protocols, feeding animals, animal handling and behaviour, greeting clients and helping on reception, reporting back to and assisting nurses with patient care and preparing medical equipment and maintaining high clinical standards throughout the practice. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in pursuing a career as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in future and offers an excellent insight to what it means to be an exceptional nurse. We are committed to supporting you and will provide full on the job training, led by a qualified mentor. We are looking for dedicated, professional people who show a real passion and positive attitude in every duty they perform. If you work hard and show your commitment to progressing further, we are committed to fully supporting your career development and will financially support you on your journey to becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse by progressing onto college as a Student Veterinary Nurse after at least one year with us. Many of our current Head Nurses successfully followed this route. Suitability and availability of places will be assessed after one year. 43 hours a week National Minimum Wage
Key Accountabilities
Assisting the veterinary surgeons and nursing team Cleaning all areas Assisting with restraining animals Assisting with the preparation of daily surgical procedures Assisting with nursing and care of inpatients Helping to admit injured, ill or stray animals Working on reception Answering incoming calls, booking appointments, welcoming owners and their pets in a cheerful, helpful and professional manner, taking payments for treatment and sales of pet shop items Maintaining client records, scanning and filling, receiving stock orders, cash handling and daily cashing up Calling owners with information (reminders, collection of orders etc) Informing owners of various offers and plans Discussing preventative health care with clients, i.e. vaccinations, flea and worm treatments Delivering outstanding client and patient care Completing tasks assigned by the nursing and vet teams necessary for the efficient running of the practice May be required to help out at other branches
Skills and Experience
Please upload your certificates (not statements) and list your grades on your CV, including Maths, English and a Science. This will ensure a smooth and faster recruitment process. The successful candidate will have plenty of hands-on experience with patients including walking dogs and TLC with cats; any previous experience working within a veterinary practice or rescue centre (voluntary or paid) is advantageous. We are looking for colleagues who demonstrate commitment and a positive attitude. You must enjoy working within busy environments and within a team. However, you must also show confidence when working alone as and when required. Successful candidates will demonstrate a flexible and adaptable approach to work and enthusiasm to get stuck in wherever needed. Required: 5 GCSEs at grade C / 4 or above to include Maths, English Language and a Science and be in possession of examination certificates or Functional Skills level 2 (not entry level). Alternatively, City & Guilds will accept alternative qualifications, e.g. Veterinary Care Assistant Certificate, Animal Nursing Assistant Award or National Diploma in Animal Care - you will still be required to provide proof of GCSE Maths and English and provide the original certificates. If you have taken your qualifications abroad, we will require a NARIC comparison. If you are unable to provide evidence of the certificates required, we will not be able to proceed with your application at this stage.
Job Reference: FR04402