Veterinary Care Assistant

About the Role

You’ll join Haughley Veterinary Centre’s clinical support team in Stowmarket, working across a friendly 2-branch practice nestled in the heart of Suffolk countryside. With easy access to Bury St Edmunds and the Norfolk coast, this role offers a perfect blend of varied clinical experience and a pleasant working location with direct railway links to Cambridge and London.

This is a full-time permanent position that combines hands-on patient care with front-of-house responsibilities. You’ll work across both practice sites and Saturday mornings at the Cedarwood branch on a rotating basis, giving you broad exposure to all aspects of small animal veterinary practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Support veterinary surgeons and registered veterinary nurses in theatre during surgical procedures
• Assist during clinical consultations and patient examinations
• Manage kennel care and patient monitoring for inpatients
• Perform front-of-house duties including greeting clients and handling telephone enquiries
• Maintain clinical areas and equipment to the highest standards
• Help ensure safe patient handling and restraint under clinical direction
• Contribute to a positive, compassionate environment for patients and clients

Requirements

• Reliable and motivated with genuine interest in animal welfare
• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with the clinical team and clients
• Excellent organisational skills to manage multiple tasks in a busy practice environment
• Proactive learner with openness to feedback and professional development
• Ability to work flexibly across multiple sites and Saturday mornings

Benefits

• 6.6 weeks’ annual leave, plus additional leave for your birthday
• Increasing annual leave accrued through length of service
• Enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay)
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Structured development programmes including VCA training and apprenticeship pathways
• Clear career progression opportunities into Student Veterinary Nurse roles
• Access to IVC Evidensia Academy learning and development
• Pension scheme
• Discounted staff pet care
• Voluntary benefits package and retail discounts/cashback

About the Practice

Haughley Veterinary Centre is a 2-branch small animal practice serving the Suffolk countryside near Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds. The practice is home to 5 veterinary surgeons, 8 registered veterinary nurses, 1 student nurse, and 5 support staff—a collaborative team committed to delivering high-quality patient and client care. The team specialises in dogs, cats, and small pets, with RCVS Rabbit and Chicken Friendly accreditation.

The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals. IVC Evidensia is committed to supporting career development without limits, investing in learning, innovation, and team wellbeing to create environments where staff can grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment at every career stage.