At a Glance
- Tasks: Support veterinary teams in providing care and maintaining a safe environment for pets.
- Company: Join PDSA, a leading charity dedicated to helping pets and their owners in need.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, special paid days off, and generous pension options.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of pets and their owners every day.
- Qualifications: Must have a Veterinary Care Assistant Level 2 diploma and a passion for animal welfare.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Make a difference every day with PDSA.
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.
We’re looking for a Veterinary Care Assistant to join our friendly team at Stoke. 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. You’ll have a Veterinary Care Assistant Level 2 diploma (or equivalent) and be highly self‑motivated, with good customer service skills and a caring, practical approach. You’ll be at least 18 years old due to the varied shift pattern, and you’ll be organised, reliable and happy to work 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.
PDSA Stoke 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.
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 into work with them.
As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people‑focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:
- 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.
- 15% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.
To apply for this role, click Apply Now at the top of the page, create a candidate account and complete our simple application form. 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.
Veterinary Care Assistant 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
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the PDSA mission and values inside out. When you walk into that interview, show us how your passion for animal welfare aligns with what we do. It’s all about making a connection!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! You’ll be chatting with clients about their pets, so being clear and empathetic is key. Role-play with a friend or family member to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just sit back and wait for the job to come to you. Network with current PDSA staff on social media or at local events. Show us you’re proactive and genuinely interested in joining our team!
✨Tip Number 4
When you apply through our website, make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have, even if it’s volunteer work. We love seeing candidates who are dedicated to making a difference in the community!
We think you need these skills to ace Veterinary Care Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Animal Welfare:When writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! Share any experiences you've had with pets or in veterinary settings to show us how committed you are to animal welfare.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight the skills and experiences that match the Veterinary Care Assistant role. We want to see how you can contribute to our team and help us make a difference!
Be Professional Yet Friendly:While we love a casual vibe, remember to keep it professional. Use clear language and structure your application well, so it’s easy for us to read and understand your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s super straightforward, and we’ll be able to process your application more efficiently. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team at PDSA!
How to prepare for a job interview at PDSA
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge about animal welfare and the specific services PDSA provides. Familiarise yourself with common veterinary practices and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the team’s mission of helping pets in need.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your love for animals shine through! Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to animal care and welfare. This will help demonstrate that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely want to make a difference.
✨Practice Empathy
Since you'll be dealing with clients who may be facing tough times, it’s crucial to show empathy. Prepare examples of how you've handled sensitive situations in the past, especially when discussing financial contributions. This will showcase your ability to communicate with compassion and professionalism.
✨Team Player Mindset
PDSA values collaboration, so be ready to talk about your experience working in teams. Highlight instances where you’ve supported colleagues or contributed to a positive team environment. This will show that you’re not only reliable but also someone who thrives in a supportive setting.