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- Tasks: Join our night team to care for animals, ensuring their health and happiness.
- Company: Be part of a leading veterinary and teaching hospital dedicated to animal welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holidays, staff discounts, and onsite perks like gym access.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in animal care while working with a passionate and supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience with animals in a veterinary setting and excellent communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible night shifts with a comprehensive training programme to boost your confidence.
The predicted salary is between 20700 - 22600 £ per year.
Grade UE04: £25,733-£28,381 per annum pro rata (Additional 30% Premium Band on contracted hours)
Corporate Services Group / Strategic Change and Planning
Part-time: 28 hours per week
Open-Ended : Permanent
As part of this role, you will be expected to cover an equal share of the annual leave in your pod of night ACAs, accruing paid overtime for all additional hours worked.
The Opportunity:
Are you ready to make a real difference in animal care? This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a leading veterinary and teaching hospital, where your work directly supports the health and wellbeing of a wide range of animals.
We’re proud of our dynamic and compassionate team of vets, nurses, and assistants—all united by a shared commitment to delivering exceptional patient care. Now, we’re looking for someone equally dedicated to join ourOut-of-Hours Animal Care Team.
About the Role
This is a hands-on, fast-paced position that plays a vital role in the care of our hospitalised patients. You’ll be involved in a variety of essential tasks, including:
- Cleaning and maintaining kennels to the highest hygiene standards
- Supporting infection control protocols
- Feeding and grooming inpatients
- Walking dogs and providing enrichment
- Assisting vets and nurses with procedures involving dogs, cats, and exotic species
- Managing laundry and general patient care duties
Shift Pattern
You’ll work a rolling pattern of4 night shifts on, followed by 8 nights off, providing a great balance of work and rest. You’ll be part of a supportive pod system, sharing annual leave cover equally with your two pod-mates.
Holiday Commitment
As part of the rota, you’ll also cover a fair share of public holidays, including over the Christmas period, if your shifts fall on those dates.
Training & Support
We know starting a night-based role can be a big step, so we offer a comprehensive6–8 week training programme. You’ll shadow our friendly and experienced team during daytime hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm) to build your confidence and skills. Any hours worked beyond your contracted time during training 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 skillsareessential to this role.
- Full, clean driving licence is essential.
Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens new browser tab)
Application Information
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
- CV
- Cover letter
Informal questions regarding this post can be emailed to Seante Knight ats.knight@ed.ac.uk
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. Check out the full list on ourstaff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits
HFSA Staff benefits include:
- Staff discount for pet treatment.
- Amazing onsite perks:
– Staff discount for on-site gym and exercises classeshttps://www.ed.ac.uk/sport-exercise/gym-memberships
– Free car parking with electric car charging pointshttps://www.ed.ac.uk/transport/driving/ev-charging
– Two on site canteens.
– On-site bike lockers and showers available.https://www.ed.ac.uk/transport/cycling/getting-a-bike/cycle-to-work - Additional shift cover opportunities are available, accruing paid overtime for additional hours worked.
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 ourright to work webpages (opens new browser tab).
The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. They will 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 17/07/2025.
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 browsers local time zone.
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Animal Care Assistant - Nights 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 - Nights
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific duties of an Animal Care Assistant, especially those related to night shifts. Understanding the unique challenges and responsibilities of working nights will help you demonstrate your readiness for the role during any informal discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in similar roles. They can provide valuable insights into the work environment and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when discussing your experience and enthusiasm for animal care.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight any relevant experience you have with animals, particularly in a veterinary setting. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've contributed to animal care, as this will show your commitment and suitability for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare questions to ask during any informal conversations or interviews. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation, and it gives you a chance to learn more about the team dynamics and the support you'll receive as a new member.
We think you need these skills to ace Animal Care Assistant - Nights
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience working with animals, particularly in a veterinary setting. Emphasise any specific skills that align with the job description, such as communication skills and teamwork.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for animal care and your commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of animals. Mention why you are interested in this specific role and how your background makes you a great fit for the team.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on tasks similar to those listed in the job description, such as cleaning, feeding, and assisting with procedures. Use specific examples to demonstrate your capabilities and dedication.
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 is crucial in a role involving animal care.
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 their care and wellbeing.
✨Highlight Teamwork Skills
Since this role involves working closely with a team of vets and nurses, be prepared to discuss your ability to collaborate effectively. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked as part of a team in previous roles, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about specific scenarios you might encounter on the job. Think about how you would handle tasks like cleaning kennels, feeding patients, or assisting with procedures. Being able to articulate your approach will show your readiness for the role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the training programme, the team dynamics, or the types of animals you'll be working with. This shows your interest in the position and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
