Animal Care Assistant

About the Role

Frank. Pet Surgeons in Leeds is a specialist surgical practice where your work directly supports the delivery of complex surgical procedures and specialist care. As an Animal Care Assistant, you'll be at the heart of the clinical team, ensuring both patients and the practice environment are cared for to the highest standards. This is a full-time role working 40 hours per week with a 1:5 Saturday rota—shifts run Monday to Friday normally, shifting to Tuesday to Saturday when you're on your Saturday rotation. You'll work under the guidance of veterinary surgeons and registered veterinary nurses, gaining hands-on experience in a fast-paced surgical environment. The practice's mission is to make specialist surgical care more accessible, and they back every procedure with a unique Surgical Complications Guarantee covering any issues within 6 months—so quality and precision matter here.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the clinical team in delivering specialist surgical and inpatient care
• Assist with patient handling, restraint, and inpatient care under veterinary direction
• Maintain and sterilise surgical instruments and implants; assist in theatre as needed
• Keep clinical areas and equipment clean, hygienic, and compliant with practice standards
• Prepare and maintain sterile supplies for surgical procedures
• Work collaboratively with the nursing and veterinary team while showing initiative in your own tasks

Requirements

• Previous Animal Care Assistant experience is essential
• Reliable, motivated, and genuinely interested in animal welfare
• Strong communication skills; able to work collaboratively with colleagues and clients
• Good organisational ability; comfortable managing multiple tasks in a busy environment
• Proactive attitude to learning with openness to feedback and development

Benefits

• 6.6 weeks' annual leave plus additional leave for your birthday
• Increasing annual leave as you progress with the practice
• Enhanced family-friendly policies: maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay
• Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
• Learning and development via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Pension scheme and discounted staff pet care
• Voluntary benefits—choose from a range of discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers

About the Practice

Frank. Pet Surgeons, Leeds is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe's leading veterinary care group with over 900 practices and referral hospitals. The practice specialises in complex surgical cases and is staffed by specialist-led teams trained in the latest surgical techniques. Located in Leeds city centre, the team treats dogs, cats, and small pets with a focus on delivering exceptional clinical outcomes. IVC Evidensia's culture emphasises career development without limits—you'll have access to structured development programmes, apprenticeships, and a supportive environment where teams collaborate on delivering high-quality patient and client care. The group is committed to your wellbeing and continuous learning at every career stage.