Veterinary Care Support Apprentice (Level 2)

About the Role

You’ll join a well-established practice in the heart of Wimbledon as a Level 2 Veterinary Care Support Apprentice. This is a full-time position running Monday to Friday (40 hours per week), with one day per week dedicated to college study and a 1:4 Saturday rota at the branch. The role provides an ideal foundation if you’re considering a career in veterinary nursing or animal care.

The practice sits in a vibrant south London community with easy access to quiet green spaces and excellent transport links. You’ll be working in a busy first opinion practice with full lab facilities, serving clients who’ve built long-term relationships with the team over many years.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide reception duties and client care support across the practice
• Assist with patient handling and hands-on animal care as appropriate
• Clean and maintain practice facilities and equipment to the highest standards
• Support the nursing and veterinary team with routine daily tasks
• Learn and develop veterinary care support skills under supervision from experienced mentors

Requirements

• Passion for learning, teamwork, and patient/client care
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, sometimes emotionally demanding veterinary environment
• Prior animal care or client care experience is preferred but not essential
• Enthusiasm for the Level 2 Veterinary Care Support qualification
• Full availability for the stated schedule including Saturday rotations

Benefits

• Competitive hourly rate of £10 per hour for the first 12 months, then rising to National Minimum Wage
• 6.6 weeks annual leave including bank holidays (pro-rata if applicable)
• Paid 30-minute lunch breaks
• The opportunity to join our private medical healthcare scheme on a reduced rate plus medical cashback incentives
• Professional membership fees covered
• Generous colleague discounts
• Petplan 20% colleague discount
• Shopping discounts and colleague introduction rewards
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme
• Structured training through dedicated tutors with over 100 years combined practice experience

About the Practice

The Dundonald Road practice is part of Goddard Veterinary Group, a leading UK veterinary provider celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2022. The group now operates 46 branches, three hospitals, and runs its own veterinary nursing college. This particular practice is a busy, established first opinion clinic in south London, equipped with full laboratory facilities and a loyal, long-standing client base.

Goddard Veterinary Group places strong emphasis on colleague wellbeing through mental health first aid training for senior managers, wellness plans for new starters, and regular town hall meetings with board leadership. The organisation values collaboration and listens to team feedback through a dedicated Colleague Forum.

Please note: Progression to the Level 3 Diploma depends on various factors including vacancies in the next cohort. This vacancy is for the Level 2 Apprenticeship only.