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- Tasks: Care for animals, support vets, and maintain a clean clinical environment.
- Company: Castle Vets, a trusted small animal veterinary hospital in Reading.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 6.6 weeks annual leave, and employee wellbeing initiatives.
- Other info: Full-time role with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a compassionate team and make a real difference in animal care.
- Qualifications: Passion for animals and willingness to learn in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about working with animals and looking for a hands-on role in a supportive veterinary environment?
Castle Vets, a well-established small animal hospital in Reading, is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Animal Care Assistant to join our hardworking clinical team.
What You\’ll Be Doing
- Handling a variety of animals safely and compassionately
- Supporting vets and nurses during patient care and procedures
- Ensuring all clinical areas are cleaned to a high standard in line with infection control protocols
- Sterilising surgical equipment and maintaining cleanliness of instruments
- Running and processing in-house laboratory samples (e.g. bloods, urine, faecal samples)
- Restocking clinical areas and assisting with general housekeeping
About Us
Castle Vets is a trusted small animal veterinary hospital providing outstanding patient care. We\’re proud to hold RCVS Hospital Status as well as Gold Cat Friendly and Silver Rabbit Friendly accreditations. Our modern facilities include a CT scanner, digital and dental X-ray, ultrasound, and endoscopy.
You\’ll be part of a supportive, friendly team that values compassion, professionalism, and excellence in everything we do for our patients and clients.
Working Hours
This is a full-time, permanent position 40 hours per week. Shifts are between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday. You will also be required to work 1 in 3 Saturday mornings, 8:00 am to 1:30 pm.
In addition to a competitive salary, you will benefit from:
- 6.6 weeks annual leave
- Additional annual leave for your birthday which will be added to your holiday allowance
- Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/ paternity/ adoption/ shared parental and surrogacy pay
- Cycle to work scheme
- Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
- Non-accidental injury support
- Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
- Pawsome Benefits – reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100\’s of retailers
- Pension scheme
- Discounted staff pet care
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
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Animal Care Assistant employer: Vet Record Careers
Contact Detail:
Vet Record Careers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Animal Care Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Castle Vets and their values. Mentioning specific things about their work culture or recent achievements can really show your enthusiasm and that you’re a good fit.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Role-play common interview questions with a friend or family member. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your passion for animal care and your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you have any relevant experience, whether it’s volunteering at an animal shelter or handling pets, be sure to highlight those stories during your interview. Real-life examples can make a big impact!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your professionalism.
We think you need these skills to ace Animal Care Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! Share any relevant experiences you have with pets or in animal care to show us why you're the perfect fit for this role.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Animal Care Assistant position. Highlight any skills or experiences that relate directly to handling animals, supporting veterinary staff, and maintaining cleanliness in clinical settings.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We want to see your personality, so don’t be afraid to let it come through in your writing!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important details about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vet Record Careers
✨Know Your Animals
Brush up on your knowledge of different animal species and their behaviours. Being able to discuss specific animals you’ve worked with or cared for will show your passion and understanding, which is crucial for a role like this.
✨Show Your Compassion
During the interview, share examples of how you've demonstrated compassion in previous roles. Whether it’s comforting a scared pet or assisting a distressed owner, showing that you can handle emotional situations is key in a veterinary environment.
✨Understand Infection Control
Familiarise yourself with basic infection control protocols and why they’re important in a veterinary setting. Being able to discuss how you would maintain cleanliness and safety in clinical areas will impress the interviewers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or the types of cases the clinic handles. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.