Night Veterinary Care Assistant

About the Role

This is a permanent part-time position working 27 hours per week on a structured rota of 4 shifts on and 8 days off, from 8pm to 8am. You'll be joining Veterinary Specialists Scotland (VSS), a multi-disciplinary referral hospital that opened in October 2020 in Livingston, just outside Edinburgh. The hospital is purpose-built to deliver exceptional care in a modern, supportive environment.

As a Patient Care Assistant, you'll support the out-of-hours care of hospitalised patients under the direction of veterinary surgeons and registered veterinary nurses. This role is ideal for someone with previous veterinary care experience who enjoys working in a busy hospital setting and is passionate about delivering high-quality patient care.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality patient care within the remit of the PCA role and under appropriate clinical delegation
• Support the nursing and veterinary teams with the care of hospitalised patients
• Maintain accurate clinical records, including hospitalisation forms and patient notes
• Ensure patient and clinical areas are maintained to a high standard, following strict infection control and health and safety protocols
• Handle animals confidently, safely, and compassionately
• Work collaboratively with clinical and client care teams to provide an efficient, professional, and caring service
• Provide a courteous, empathetic, and helpful experience for clients at all times
• Support quality improvement initiatives, audits, and incident reporting processes
• Contribute to stock management and reducing unnecessary waste
• Take part in training and continued professional development opportunities

Requirements

• Previous experience in a veterinary care or animal care role
• A strong background in animal handling
• A genuine passion for delivering excellent patient care
• A caring, empathetic, and professional approach
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• The ability to work reliably, adaptably, and positively in a busy clinical environment
• A commitment to maintaining high clinical standards and supporting continuous improvement
• A willingness to work flexibly, including weekends and bank holidays

Benefits

• Part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world
• Access to a comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises physical and mental health
• Access to a huge network of specialists and worldwide development opportunities
• Training and continued professional development opportunities
• Supportive, inclusive culture built on five core principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom

About the Practice

Veterinary Specialists Scotland is a multi-disciplinary referral centre that opened in October 2020 and is part of the Linnaeus group, which is owned by Mars Veterinary Health. The hospital is purpose-built to deliver exceptional veterinary care in a modern, supportive, and welcoming environment. Core values centre around excellence in patient care, client care, colleague support, and service to referring practices.

Linnaeus comprises forward-thinking primary care and referral veterinary practices across the UK and Ireland, carefully selected to ensure the highest levels of patient care. The organisation is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture where associates are empowered to deliver quality services and are supported with accessible, comprehensive wellbeing provisions.