Animal Care Assistant

Animal Care Assistant

Reading Full-Time 25000 - 30000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Care for animals and support vets in a hands-on role.
  • Company: Castle Vets, a trusted small animal veterinary hospital in Reading.
  • Benefits: Generous annual leave, enhanced family policies, and employee wellbeing initiatives.
  • Why this job: Join a compassionate team and make a real difference in animal care.
  • Qualifications: Passion for animals and willingness to learn.
  • Other info: Full-time position with excellent career development opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.

Are you passionate about working with animals and looking for a hands-on role in a supportive veterinary environment? Castle Vets, a well-established small animal hospital in Reading, is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Animal Care Assistant to join our hardworking clinical team.

What You’ll Be Doing:

  • Handling a variety of animals safely and compassionately
  • Supporting vets and nurses during patient care and procedures
  • Ensuring all clinical areas are cleaned to a high standard in line with infection control protocols
  • Sterilising surgical equipment and maintaining cleanliness of instruments
  • Running and processing in-house laboratory samples (e.g. bloods, urine, faecal samples)
  • Restocking clinical areas and assisting with general housekeeping

About Us

Castle Vets is a trusted small animal veterinary hospital providing outstanding patient care. We’re proud to hold RCVS Hospital Status as well as Gold Cat Friendly and Silver Rabbit Friendly accreditations. Our modern facilities include a CT scanner, digital and dental X-ray, ultrasound, and endoscopy. You’ll be part of a supportive, friendly team that values compassion, professionalism, and excellence in everything we do for our patients and clients.

Working Hours

This is a full-time, permanent position, 40 hours per week. Shifts are between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday. You will also be required to work 1 in 3 Saturday mornings, 8:00 am to 1:30 pm.

Benefits:

  • 6.6 weeks annual leave
  • 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

Up to £25,484.71 DOE

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Animal Care Assistant employer: IVC Evidensia

Castle Vets is an exceptional employer for those passionate about animal care, offering a supportive and friendly work environment in Reading. With a commitment to employee wellbeing, generous benefits including enhanced family-friendly policies, and opportunities for professional development through the IVC Evidensia Academy, you will thrive as part of a dedicated team that prioritises excellence in patient care. Join us and make a meaningful impact in the lives of animals and their owners while enjoying a fulfilling career.
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Contact Detail:

IVC Evidensia Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Animal Care Assistant

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Castle Vets and its staff. Mentioning specific team members or recent achievements can show your genuine interest and help you stand out.

✨Tip Number 2

Show your passion for animals! During your interview, share personal stories about your experiences with animals. This will demonstrate your commitment and enthusiasm for the role of Animal Care Assistant.

✨Tip Number 3

Ask insightful questions! Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the role or the clinic's approach to animal care. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in how you can contribute to their mission.

✨Tip Number 4

Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity can leave a lasting impression. It’s a simple way to reinforce your enthusiasm for joining the Castle Vets team.

We think you need these skills to ace Animal Care Assistant

Animal Handling
Compassion
Infection Control Protocols
Sterilisation Techniques
Laboratory Sample Processing
Attention to Detail
Housekeeping Skills
Teamwork
Communication Skills
Time Management
Customer Service
Adaptability
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Animals: When writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! Share any relevant experiences you have, whether it's volunteering at a shelter or caring for pets. We want to see that you're genuinely excited about working in a veterinary environment.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to match the job description. Highlight your skills and experiences that align with what we’re looking for, like handling animals safely or supporting vets during procedures. This shows us you’ve done your homework!

Keep It Professional Yet Friendly: While we love a casual vibe, remember to keep your application professional. Use clear language and check for typos. A friendly tone is great, but clarity and professionalism will help us take your application seriously.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.

How to prepare for a job interview at IVC Evidensia

✨Know Your Animals

Brush up on your knowledge of different animal species and their behaviours. Being able to discuss specific animals you’ve worked with or cared for will show your passion and experience, which is crucial for a role like this.

✨Show Your Compassion

During the interview, share examples of how you've demonstrated compassion in previous roles. Whether it’s comforting a scared pet or assisting a distressed owner, showing that you genuinely care about animals and their wellbeing is key.

✨Understand Infection Control

Familiarise yourself with basic infection control protocols and why they’re important in a veterinary setting. Being able to discuss how you would maintain cleanliness and safety in clinical areas will impress the interviewers.

✨Ask Thoughtful Questions

Prepare some questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or the types of cases the clinic handles. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if Castle Vets is the right fit for you.

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