At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide essential care for animals during night shifts, ensuring their comfort and well-being.
- Company: Join the University of Edinburgh, a leader in veterinary studies and animal care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, staff discounts, and flexible work options.
- Other info: Comprehensive training provided, with opportunities for career growth in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while gaining valuable experience in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Dedication, resilience, and a strong work ethic are essential for this hands-on role.
The predicted salary is between 28778 - 28778 £ per year.
Grade UE04: £26,093 - £28,778 per annum, pro rata plus 30% premium band bonus on salaried hours.
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies / Hospital for Small Animals.
Part-time: 28 hours average per week, 8pm-8am shift times working a rolling 4 shifts on, 8 shifts off. Open-ended (permanent) contract.
Your next step starts here. Be part of something bigger. The University isn’t just any employer. We are part of a local community and a contributor to global thinking, progress and research. In Edinburgh, you are in one of the world’s most attractive cities with active arts and social sectors, while working in a University that has made significant contributions to society, medicine, physics and teaching for over four centuries.
The Opportunity: Technical Clinical Services. The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We are a large University covering a wide range of activities. In Technical Clinical Services, we support the University’s clinical, research and teaching, offering many career and role specialisms.
This is a demanding out-of-hours Animal Care role that calls for dedication, resilience, flexibility, and a proactive approach. You’ll need a strong work ethic and a commitment to delivering the highest standards of patient care. Our dedicated night team covers 365 days a year, ensuring that we provide round-the-clock care to our patients. As part of this team, you’ll handle a wide variety of cases, from ward-based patients—including felines, canines, and exotics—to those requiring intermediate and emergency critical care.
This is a hands-on, fast-paced position that plays a vital role in the care of our hospitalised patients during our out of hours service. 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
As part of this role, you will be expected to cover and equal share of the annual leave in your pod of night ACAs, accruing paid overtime for all additional hours worked.
Our hospital is equipped with:
- Three canine wards
- Four exotics wards
- One feline ward
- Purpose-built isolation units
- A fully equipped emergency room
- Dedicated Intermediate Care and Intensive Care Wards
We are proud to deliver the highest level of care (24/7 - 365 days) to patients with life-threatening conditions as well as those with more routine needs, ensuring every animal receives the attention and expertise they deserve.
If you're ready for a rewarding ACA role where no two night shifts are the same, we’d love to hear from you.
Training & Support: We offer a comprehensive 6–8 weeks training programme to help you settle into the role. You’ll normally start shadowing our friendly and experienced team during standard weekday daytime hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm) to build your confidence and skills.
How to apply: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Contact our Out of Hours Senior Nurse Nicola Cochrane at Nicola.Cochrane@ed.ac.uk for more details. Please 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, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options.
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. 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 31st July 2026. Unless stated otherwise, the closing time for applications is 11:59 pm (UK time). If you are applying from outside the UK, the closing time shown on our adverts will automatically adjust to your browser’s local time zone.
Animal Care Assistant - Nights in Edinburgh employer: University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises equality, diversity, and inclusion. With over 400 years of history, it provides unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and development within a supportive community of more than 17,000 staff and 50,000 students. As a leading research-intensive university, it empowers its employees to drive organisational transformation and innovate in a dynamic environment, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Animal Care Assistant - Nights in Edinburgh
✨Connect with Local Healthcare Communities
Dive into local healthcare communities and networks. Join meetups or workshops relevant to human medicine in your area, where you can chat with professionals and fellow students. Getting to know people in these spaces often leads to part-time opportunities that aren’t advertised!
✨Check with Your University’s Career Services
Use your university’s career services to uncover part-time roles specifically in human medicine. They usually have connections with clinics, hospitals, or research labs looking for students, which can be a foot in the door while you’re still studying.
✨Volunteer for Experience
Consider volunteering in clinics or community health initiatives. This not only builds your CV but also expands your network in the human medicine field. Plus, many of these places might offer part-time positions to dedicated volunteers later!
✨Keep an Eye on Job Boards and Our Website
Frequently check job boards tailored to healthcare roles, but also don’t forget to visit our website for part-time opportunities at University of Edinburgh. Regularly applying through us can give you a leg up in the application process because we love seeing familiar names!
We think you need these skills to ace Animal Care Assistant - Nights in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Healthcare:When applying for a part-time role in human medicine, it’s important to express why you’re passionate about the healthcare field. Convey your interest through your CV and cover letter — highlight any relevant volunteer work, clinical experiences, or coursework that showcases your commitment to improving patient care.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any certifications related to healthcare, like Basic Life Support (BLS) or First Aid, make sure to include these in your CV. They not only boost your credibility but also demonstrate that you’re prepared for the demands of the job, which is super important in human medicine.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, employers will want to know when you can work. In your cover letter, specify your availability and any flexibility you might have. Showing that you’re accommodating with your hours can make a big difference!
Tailor Your Application for University of Edinburgh:Lastly, tailor your CV and cover letter specifically for University of Edinburgh. Research their mission, values, and recent achievements in human medicine. This personal touch shows you’ve done your homework and genuinely want to be part of their team, which resonates well in the healthcare field.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Edinburgh
✨Brush Up on Medical Knowledge
Since we're diving into human medicine, it's essential to have your medical theories and practices fresh in your mind. Be prepared to discuss relevant case studies or experiences, and don’t shy away from some light medical jargon that shows you’re grounded in the field.
✨Emphasise Your People Skills
Part-time roles in medicine often mean interacting with patients and staff. We need to showcase our ability to communicate clearly and compassionately. Think of examples that highlight your interpersonal skills—maybe a time you helped a patient or resolved a conflict within a team.
✨Get Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
In human medicine, they might throw some hypothetical scenarios your way during the interview. Prepare to think on your feet! Consider common patient situations or ethical dilemmas that could arise. Practising how you'd handle these could set you apart.
✨Discuss Your Availability and Flexibility
For a part-time position, it's key to talk about your availability. Let’s be honest about when you can work and how you can flexibly fit your shifts around any studies or other commitments. This shows you're reliable and genuinely interested in fitting into the team at University of Edinburgh.
