Veterinary Care Assistant

About the Role

This is a full-time permanent position offering a genuine entry point into veterinary healthcare. You’ll be based primarily at Whorral Bank Hospital—a purpose-built referral centre serving the North East—whilst gaining exposure across the practice’s nine branches. Your role spans animal care, clinical support, hygiene and pharmacy work, giving you a well-rounded introduction to practice operations. The position includes weekend and bank holiday rota responsibilities, reflecting the hospital’s 24-hour emergency service.

Robson & Prescott operates one of the region’s largest veterinary networks, with facilities including four operating theatres, a dedicated dental suite, diagnostic laboratory, endoscopy capabilities, and specialist wards for dogs, cats, birds, small mammals and exotics. You’ll be working alongside a dedicated team of vets and nurses committed to high-quality patient care.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide daily animal care including feeding, walking, cleaning, monitoring and comfort measures for hospitalised patients
• Support clinical procedures by assisting vets and nurses, preparing equipment, and maintaining sterile clinical areas
• Maintain hygiene standards across clinical and animal areas to ensure patient safety and wellbeing
• Manage pharmacy and supplies work—replenishing stock, assisting with prescriptions and basic inventory tasks
• Provide reception and administrative support including client interactions, patient admissions, appointment handling and general admin
• Contribute to the efficient, safe running of the hospital environment across the multi-site practice

Requirements

• A reliable, motivated approach with genuine interest in animal welfare
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a clinical team
• Good communication skills with both colleagues and clients
• Strong organisational ability to manage multiple tasks in a busy environment
• Proactive attitude to learning with openness to feedback and professional development
• Flexibility to work weekends and bank holidays as part of the rota

Benefits

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

About the Practice

Robson & Prescott Veterinary Surgeons is a long-established multi-site practice spanning nine locations across the North East, from Alnwick to Newbiggin. The flagship Whorral Bank Hospital is a state-of-the-art facility providing 24-hour emergency and specialist care, equipped with four operating theatres, dental suite, fully-equipped diagnostic laboratory, ultrasound and endoscopy facilities, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy suites, and separate wards for different species.

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 team members to build fulfilling careers through investment in learning, innovation and wellbeing, with a culture focused on clinical impact, professional development and community engagement.