Patient Care Assistant

About the Role

This part-time permanent role at St Davids Vets offers 25.5 hours per week with a clear shift pattern: Tuesday 9am to 5pm at Exminster, Wednesday 8.30am to 6pm at Exeter, and Saturday 8.30am to 6pm at Exeter. You'll be at the heart of patient care, supporting qualified RVNs and veterinary surgeons to deliver outstanding care across both locations.

The role combines hands-on animal care with essential clinic support. You'll gain experience in a small animal practice environment while working as part of a passionate, inclusive team committed to animal welfare and exceptional service.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care and support to patients
• Assist vets and nurses with animal restraint during treatment and procedures
• Clean, walk, and feed patients ensuring their comfort and welfare
• Prepare emergency and operating room facilities
• Maintain general cleanliness and hygiene standards throughout the practice
• Run internal laboratory samples
• Answer emergency calls and provide initial support
• Cover the reception desk, including answering queries, booking appointments, and processing payments

Requirements

• An excellent communicator with strong empathy for animals and people
• Demonstrable experience in animal welfare, including feeding, cleaning, medicating, and handling animals
• High-level understanding of how to meet the welfare needs of animals
• Strong customer service skills and experience dealing with the public
• Resilience and ability to cope with potentially distressing or emotional situations
• Positive attitude and excellent teamwork skills
• Experience in a veterinary environment is desirable but not essential
• Right to Work in the UK (visa sponsorship cannot be provided for this role)

Benefits

• Salary in line with National Minimum Wage
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 5 weeks per year plus Bank Holidays
• Staff discount scheme on veterinary bills and products
• Private healthcare access
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to mental health support through 400+ Mental Health First-Aiders
• Additional benefits available (see CVS Employee Benefits package)

About the Practice

CVS Group plc is one of the UK's largest integrated veterinary services providers, comprising four main business areas: veterinary practices, diagnostic laboratories, pet crematoria, and e-commerce. The company is built on a foundation of passion for animals and a commitment to making pets a priority in everything it does.

St Davids Vets operates across two locations in Exeter and Exminster, providing small animal care to the local community. CVS is committed to being a fully inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and all colleagues are supported to be themselves.