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.
Make a difference every day with PDSA
About Us
Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA have provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people in financial hardship.
We’re now on a journey to expand our reach to support even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape a future-focused PDSA. Together, we'll build a stronger organisation to ensure our services help those who need us most for the next hundred years.
If you're ready to make a real difference and be part of a team that's creating positive change, we want you to join us. Let's build a brighter future for pets and their owners, together.
About you
We’re looking for a Veterinary Care Assistant to join our friendly team at PDSA Gateshead. You’ll be committed to providing a high standard of customer service and clinical care, promoting pet wellbeing and supporting the wider clinical team. You’ll enjoy working in a busy, purpose‑led environment where you can make a real difference to pets and owners who really need our help.
In this role, you’ll support the hospital team in all aspects of day‑to‑day care. You’ll help maintain a clean, safe and hygienic environment at all times, assist with animal handling, work on reception when needed and provide hands‑on support to our Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Surgeons. You’ll also be comfortable talking to clients about appropriate financial contributions, always with empathy and professionalism. Depending on the needs of the hospital, you may work full‑time or part‑time hours, and this role offers an excellent starting point if you’re looking to build a career within veterinary practice.
Applicants must hold a Veterinary Care Assistant Level 2 Diploma (or equivalent qualification) and have experience working within a veterinary practice.
You will be highly self‑motivated, with strong customer service skills and a caring, practical approach. Due to the varied shift pattern, applicants must be aged 18 or over.
We are looking for someone who is organised, reliable and able to work effectively as part of a supportive team
Above all, you’ll be passionate about animal welfare and keen to learn, grow and contribute to the valuable work PDSA does in the local community.
Work pattern & rota
We recognise the importance of work‑life balance and have a rota designed to support it:
- Temporary contract expected to cover for up to 6 months
- 37.5 hours per week, hours vary each day
- Working hours between 08:00 - 20:00 (7.5 hour shifts)
- 1 in 4 weekends with hours either working 09:00 - 19:00 or 10:00 - 20:00
About the hospital
PDSA Gateshead is a highly collaborative, effective hospital, a great place for teamwork, case discussion and shared learning. Our teams have varied clinical interests, giving you access to a wide pool of knowledge and experience when discussing cases and treatment plans.
Our Pet Hospitals are modern and well‑equipped and include separate dog and cat kennelling facilities, in‑house radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, piped gases and extensive orthopaedic equipment.
Rewards, support and benefits
We’re really passionate about being a great place to work, somewhere people feel proud of what they do, connected to a meaningful purpose, and able to make a genuine difference every day. Our teams are collaborative and supportive, and we encourage everyone to bring their ideas, individuality and passion for pets to work with them.
As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people‑focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:
- Flexible working options to support your work‑life balance and individual circumstances.
- 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays.
- Three paid special days off: Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day annually.
- Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.
- Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind.
- AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, with 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support you and your family.
- 10% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.
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 opportunities 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.
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Veterinary Care Assistant in Gateshead employer: PDSA
PDSA is an exceptional employer for Registered Veterinary Nurses, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment in Leeds. With a strong focus on animal welfare, employees benefit from flexible working options, a generous CPD allowance, and numerous opportunities for professional growth, making it a fulfilling place to advance your veterinary career.
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.
