Veterinary Care Assistant - Pet Care

Job Title: Veterinary Care Assistant – Full Time
Location: Pet Care, part of Kin Vet Community based in Erith, Kent
Hours: Full-Time (40 hours/week, including 1 in 4 Saturdays, 8:30am–2:00pm)

Salary:£12.21 per hour

Clinical Director:Sebastiano Re

Head Nurse:Kirstie Staggs

Client Services Manager:Tina McQuade

At Pet Care, being part of Kin Vet Community offers numerous advantages. Kin Vet Community, established in June 2023, is a vet-led collective of 19 veterinary practices in Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Kent and Southwest London. We provide compassionate, high-quality care for pets and their owners with a strong focus on providing collaborative support for our clinicians.

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Veterinary Care Assistant to join our friendly team at Pet Care Veterinary Surgery. This is a hands-on role supporting the clinical team to provide exceptional care to our patients and outstanding service to our clients.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Support Duties

• Safely handle and restrain animals during examinations, treatments, grooming, or procedures
• Assist vets and nurses during consultations, including preparing equipment and note-taking
• Clean and sterilise surgical instruments and clinical areas
• Support theatre preparation and post-operative monitoring
• Monitor patients during recovery under veterinary supervision and maintain accurate records
• Feed, hydrate, walk, and exercise patients as directed by the vet team
• Maintain cleanliness of kennels, bedding, and recovery areas
• Observe and report on animal welfare and comfort
• Run basic in-house laboratory tests
• Assist veterinary nurses and surgeons during procedures

Hygiene & Infection Control

• Follow infection control protocols rigorously
• Clean and disinfect kennels, prep areas, theatres, consult rooms, and equipment
• Safely manage clinical and general waste, including sharps disposal

Reception & Client Interaction

• Greet clients and check in patients with a warm and professional manner
• Book appointments and surgeries accurately
• Handle telephone enquiries and provide clear communication to clients
• Process payments and update client records efficiently

What We’re Looking For

• A genuine love of animals and a calm, compassionate approach to patient care
• Strong communication and team-working skills
• A reliable, organised, and proactive attitude
• Willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced clinical environment

Desirable (but not essential):

• Previous experience in a veterinary or animal care setting
• Animal Care qualification or willingness to undertake training

What we\’re offering:

• 5 working weeks annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time candidates)
• Private Healthcare with Vitality
• Occupational Health Services
• Free eye test vouchers and money towards your glasses for VDU users
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity leave
• 3 weeks occupational sickness pay
• Generous colleague discount scheme for up to 5 registered pets

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