Veterinary Patient Care Assistant

About the Role

This is a permanent, part-time Veterinary Patient Care Assistant role based at CVS Vets 24/7 Hillsborough in County Down. The rota covers every other weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, with a share in the bank holiday rota, and the exact hours will be discussed.

You'll be supporting the RVNs and vets with day-to-day patient care in a busy OOH setting. The work is practical and varied, with a clear focus on animal handling, patient comfort and helping the wider team keep things running smoothly.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care for in-patients
• Support vets and nurses with animal restraint
• Walk, feed and clean patients
• Prepare emergency and operating facilities
• Carry out general cleaning and maintenance tasks
• Run internal laboratory samples
• Answer emergency calls
• Support the reception team when needed, including booking appointments and processing payments

Requirements

• Animal care and handling experience is essential
• Customer service and public-facing experience is valued
• Strong communication skills and empathy
• Resilience and professionalism when dealing with emotional situations
• A positive, team-focused approach
• Previous veterinary environment experience is preferred

Benefits

• Salary paid at the National Minimum Wage
• Five weeks' annual leave pro rata, plus bank holidays
• Staff discount on veterinary bills and care
• Staff discount on Animed Direct for pet medicines, products and food
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support

About the Practice

The role is with CVS Vets 24/7 Hillsborough at 50 Old Coach Road, Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6PB. CVS Vets is part of one of the UK's leading veterinary groups and describes its approach as centred on care, support, learning and progression.

The advert links candidates to Cromlyn House Veterinary Hospital as a way to see more of the practice environment. CVS also states that it has a network of over 500 practices and more than 8,000 professionals, with an inclusive workplace and a commitment to reflecting the communities it serves.