Night Patient Care Assistant

About the Role

This is a hands-on night-shift position within a busy, purpose-built specialist veterinary referral hospital in Newmarket. You'll work 12-hour night shifts on a 4 on, 5 off rota pattern (6:30pm to 6:30am), covering weekdays, weekends and bank holidays. The role offers real variety: from basic animal husbandry and patient monitoring to supporting specialist procedures and administering oral medications to canine and feline patients.

You'll rotate across all wards, developing broad experience in a wards-based setting whilst ensuring patients receive the highest standard of care from admission through discharge. Alongside direct patient care, you'll maintain cleanliness and stock levels, follow strict infection control protocols, and work under the supervision of Veterinary Surgeons and Registered Veterinary Nurses.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct care to canine and feline patients across all wards, including husbandry and support during specialist procedures
• Administer oral medications and monitor patient welfare throughout the night shift
• Maintain a clean and hygienic clinical environment, following infection control and health and safety protocols
• Manage ward cleanliness and stock levels to support patient care and operational efficiency
• Communicate professionally with colleagues (vets, nurses, support teams) and clients
• Work under the direction of clinical staff, following all Standard Operating Procedures at all times
• Demonstrate commitment to patient welfare and professional behaviour in a fast-paced environment

Requirements

• Minimum age 18 years (H&S requirement)
• Physical, mental and emotional stamina to work with sick animals and in a demanding night-shift pattern
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• High levels of organisation and attention to detail
• Passion for animal care and a driven approach to delivering outstanding patient outcomes
• Basic knowledge of animal care and handling is beneficial but not essential; full training will be provided
• No prior PCA experience required

Benefits

• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• Structured career progression opportunities (many PCAs progress to Student Veterinary Nurse programmes or other roles within DWR)
• Staff discount schemes
• Life assurance
• Group and employer-contribution pension scheme
• Enhanced sickness pay
• Enhanced equal family leave
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellness programme including employee assistance programme, eyecare vouchers and free annual flu jab
• Recruitment referral reward scheme
• Comprehensive in-house training and development opportunities

About the Practice

DWR Veterinary Specialists is one of Europe's largest multi-disciplinary specialist referral centres, offering outstanding clinical care in state-of-the-art facilities. The team accepts referrals across anaesthesia, cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, orthopaedic surgery, physiotherapy, dentistry and soft tissue surgery. Many clinicians are nationally or internationally recognised specialists.

DWR is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the world's largest family-owned veterinary company. The group operates over 6,000 associates across primary care and referral practices in the UK and Ireland, with comprehensive training programmes, development opportunities and a wellbeing package prioritising physical and mental health. The culture emphasises inclusivity, authenticity and a shared commitment to excellence and animal welfare.