At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the veterinary team in providing top-notch care for pets and maintaining a clean environment.
- Company: Join PDSA, the UK's leading veterinary charity dedicated to improving pet lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, wellbeing days, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Kickstart your veterinary career while making a real difference in pets' lives.
- Qualifications: Must have a Veterinary Care Assistant Level 2 diploma or equivalent.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
About the Role
We are looking to recruit a Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) at our Gateshead Pet Hospital who will provide a high standard of customer service and clinical care whilst promoting pet wellbeing and supporting the clinical team.
The role will be responsible for supporting the hospital team with taking care of the wellbeing of pets by maintaining a clean and hygienic environment at all times, assisting with animal handling, working at reception and providing support to the Veterinary nurses and Veterinary Surgeons. They will also encourage financial contributions from clients from time to time.
Depending on the needs of the hospital Veterinary Care Assistants work both full and part time hours. The role is an excellent starting point if you want a career within Veterinary practice.
About You
Candidates must have a Veterinary Care Assistant Level 2 diploma or equivalent to meet the application criteria for this role, as being highly self motivated with good customer service skills.
A minimum age of 18 years old due to a varied shift pattern.
The closing date for this vacancy may be brought forward should we receive sufficient candidates.
Benefits
We are really passionate about being a great place to work, where people feel connected with what we do and where they feel they can make a genuine difference. This commitment has resulted in us being rated as one of the top 25 big organisations to work for in the UK according to Best Companies survey.
In addition to being a great place to work, we offer a wide range of benefits, including:
- 25 days holiday (excluding Bank Holidays) with the option to buy and sell up to 5 days per year
- An additional Wellbeing Day to take whenever you like to help recharge your batteries
- Generous Auto-Enrolment pension and/or Contributory pension schemes available starting at an enhanced rate of 5% contributions up to 10%
- Life Assurance policy (4 x Annual Salary)
- Employee Assistance Program and Online Wellbeing Centre available 24/7 giving you the ability to speak with a professional in confidence about a range of issues
- Wide range of discounts for Retail, Holiday and similar organisations on our fetch platform
About PDSA
As the UK’s leading veterinary charity, with 48 Pet Hospitals, we strive to improve pets’ lives – through prevention, education and treatment. Every year our dedicated vet teams carry out 2.7 million treatments on 470,000 pets. Our national network of around 120 high street shops help us to provide these treatments through selling both donated and new goods.
We believe that we work better together, so everyone from our vets, volunteers, shop teams and to our office support colleagues – we are driven in our dedication and passionate about pets. Join us and help improve the lives of every pet.
PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunity for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the recruitment process.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.
To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.
Veterinary Care Assistant in Gateshead employer: PDSA
At PDSA, we pride ourselves on being a leading veterinary charity that not only cares for pets but also nurtures our employees. Located in Gateshead, our Pet Hospital offers a supportive work culture where you can make a genuine difference in the lives of animals while enjoying benefits like 25 days of holiday, a Wellbeing Day, and a generous pension scheme. Join us to grow your career in veterinary practice within a diverse and inclusive environment that values every team member's contribution.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Veterinary Care Assistant in Gateshead
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the hospital and its staff. This shows you’re genuinely interested and helps you connect with them during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for pets! During your interview, share personal stories or experiences that highlight your love for animals. It’s all about making that emotional connection!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to demonstrate your skills! If you have any hands-on experience, be prepared to discuss it. Maybe even practice some animal handling techniques beforehand to feel confident.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly, so don’t hesitate to hit that apply button. It makes it easier for us to keep track of your application!
We think you need these skills to ace Veterinary Care Assistant in Gateshead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Pets:When writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! We want to see that you genuinely care about pet wellbeing and are excited about the role of a Veterinary Care Assistant.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to mention any experience you have in animal care or customer service. Whether it's volunteering at a shelter or working in retail, we want to know how your background makes you a great fit for our team.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to the specific role. Mention how your skills align with what we’re looking for in a Veterinary Care Assistant.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at PDSA
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your Veterinary Care Assistant Level 2 diploma knowledge. Be ready to discuss how your training applies to the role, especially in areas like animal handling and hygiene practices. This shows you're not just qualified but genuinely interested in the job.
✨Show Your Passion for Pets
During the interview, let your love for animals shine through! Share any personal experiences with pets or volunteering in animal care. This will help the interviewers see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you truly care about pet wellbeing.
✨Customer Service is Key
Since the role involves interacting with clients, be prepared to talk about your customer service skills. Think of examples where you've provided excellent service or handled difficult situations. This will demonstrate that you can contribute positively to the hospital's environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, the types of cases they handle, or how they support staff development. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
