Veterinary Care Support Apprentice

About the Role

This Level 2 Veterinary Care Support Apprenticeship is your entry point into professional veterinary care. You'll work full-time across 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, combining hands-on practice experience with a dedicated college day each week. The role includes a regular weekend rotation: 1 in 3 weekends at Stone Lion Hospital (Wimbledon), or 1 in 4 Saturdays at Kennington (South London), plus up to 2 bank holidays annually.

The work is varied and dynamic, spanning reception duties, cleaning and maintenance of facilities and equipment, and direct patient care. You may be required to work across different branches within commutable distance, including hospital sites. This is an intense but rewarding profession with physical and emotional demands, and you'll need to adapt to a high-pressure, unpredictable environment. Prior animal care experience is valued but not essential; what matters is your passion for learning, teamwork, and delivering excellent patient and client care.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide reception support and client care
• Maintain cleanliness and organisation of practice facilities, equipment, and clinical areas
• Deliver hands-on patient care and support to the veterinary team
• Attend weekly college training as part of your Level 2 apprenticeship
• Work flexibly across multiple practice locations as required
• Support experienced veterinary and nursing staff in a high-volume small animal practice

Requirements

• Enthusiasm for learning and working in veterinary care
• Strong teamwork and communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, emotionally demanding environment
• Prior animal care experience preferred but not essential
• Willingness to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis
• Flexibility to work across multiple practice sites where needed

Benefits

• Competitive apprentice salary of £10.85 per hour for the first 12 months, then rising to the national minimum wage
• 6.6 weeks annual leave including bank holidays
• Paid 30-minute lunch breaks
• Private medical healthcare scheme access at reduced colleague rates with medical cashback
• Shopping and generous colleague discounts, including 20% Petplan discount
• Colleague introduction reward scheme
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional membership fees covered
• Dedicated tutors with over 100 years combined practice experience
• Clear pathway towards Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (subject to vacancies and performance)

About the Practice

Goddard Veterinary Group is a major UK veterinary provider with 46 branches, three hospitals, and its own nurse training college (GVNC). In 2022, the group celebrated its 70th anniversary. Goddard operates as part of the VetPartners family and is known for its forward-looking approach to staff engagement, including monthly Town Hall meetings with the board, a Colleague Forum for staff input, mental health first aid training for all senior managers, and comprehensive wellness plans for new starters.

The group is committed to investing in future talent, with dedicated tutors and structured apprenticeship pathways. This is a small animal-focused practice environment where you'll work alongside experienced and compassionate teams who understand the importance of training and supporting the next generation of registered veterinary nurses.