Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist with animal care, including feeding, cleaning, and supporting vets in procedures.
- Company: Join a leading veterinary and teaching hospital dedicated to animal health and welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff discounts, gym access, free parking, and generous holiday entitlement.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team making a real difference in animal care and welfare.
- Qualifications: Experience with animals in a veterinary setting and excellent communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for overtime and comprehensive training provided.
The predicted salary is between 25733 - 28381 £ per year.
CMVM / Royal Dick Veterinary Studies UE04 £25,733-£28,381 per annum, pro rata
Open ended (permanent) contract
Part time: 30 hours per week
Working hours are 2.30pm - 8.30pm Monday-Friday. Additional overtime opportunities are available.
The Opportunity: We are a referral veterinary and teaching hospital with a great team of vets, nurses and assistants who are all committed to animal health and welfare. This is a demanding role and requires dedication, proactivity, flexibility, a resilient work ethic and a strong belief in delivering the highest standard of patient care. We are seeking a candidate who is interested in all aspects of hospitalised animal care such as kennel cleaning, infection control, feeding inpatients, laundry, walking dogs, assisting vets and vet nurses with procedures on dogs, cats, and exotics, grooming and general day to day patient care. This is primarily based in our Intermediate Care Ward, however we have a full 6-8 week training programme where you will shadow our friendly and experienced staff to learn the ropes and opportunities for additional shift cover once fully trained. Training shifts will routinely be based Monday-Friday working 8.30am-5pm, all additional hours worked will be paid as overtime.
Your skills and attributes for success:
- Experience working with animals in a veterinary setting is essential.
- Ability to work alone as well as part of a team is essential.
- Excellent communication skills are essential to this role.
- Full, clean driving licence is essential.
HfSA Staff benefits include:
- Staff discount for pet treatment.
- Amazing onsite perks: Staff discount for on-site gym and exercises classes.
- Free car parking with electric car charging points.
- Two on site canteens.
- Cycle to work scheme, on-site bike lockers and showers available.
- Additional shift cover opportunities are available, accruing paid overtime for additional hours worked.
- Holiday entitlement of 36 days + 4 days public holiday per annum for full time staff (pro rata).
Application Information: Please ensure you include the following documents in your application: CV, Cover letter.
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
- A competitive salary.
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives.
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion. The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages. On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Key dates to note: The closing date for applications is 29 April 2025. Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browser's local time zone.
Animal Care Assistant employer: The University of Edinburgh
Contact Detail:
The University of Edinburgh Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Animal Care Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific duties of an Animal Care Assistant. Understanding tasks like kennel cleaning, feeding inpatients, and assisting vets will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the veterinary field. Attend local animal care events or join online forums to connect with current staff or others in similar roles, which can provide insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for animal welfare. Be prepared to discuss your experiences with animals and how they have shaped your commitment to high standards of patient care, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Be flexible with your availability. Since the role requires working hours from 2.30pm to 8.30pm, showing that you can accommodate these hours and are open to additional shifts will make you a more attractive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Animal Care Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience working with animals, particularly in a veterinary setting. Include specific roles and responsibilities that demonstrate your skills in animal care, teamwork, and communication.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for animal welfare and your commitment to high standards of patient care. Mention any specific experiences that relate to the duties outlined in the job description, such as kennel cleaning or assisting with procedures.
Highlight Essential Skills: In both your CV and cover letter, emphasise your ability to work independently and as part of a team. Communication skills are crucial, so provide examples of how you've effectively communicated in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are important in the animal care field.
How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Edinburgh
✨Show Your Passion for Animal Care
Make sure to express your genuine love for animals during the interview. Share any relevant experiences you've had working with animals, whether in a professional or volunteer capacity, to demonstrate your commitment to animal health and welfare.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Communication Skills
Since this role requires working closely with vets, nurses, and other assistants, emphasise your ability to work as part of a team. Provide examples of how you've effectively communicated and collaborated with others in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Be ready to discuss how you would handle specific situations related to animal care, such as dealing with an anxious pet or managing cleaning protocols. This will show that you understand the demands of the role and are prepared to tackle them.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the hospital's approach to animal care, training opportunities, and team dynamics. This not only shows your interest in the position but also helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
