Patient Care Assistant

About the Role

An exciting opportunity to join the St Anne’s nursing team as a Patient Care Assistant. You’ll be working within the largest veterinary practice in the local area, supporting a team of 13 vets and 16 nursing staff who are committed to delivering exemplary patient care. This full-time, permanent role offers 40 hours per week with occasional weekend work, and is based in Eastbourne.

You’ll work alongside three established Patient Care Assistants, rotating through different areas of the practice—wards, laboratory, and theatre. The practice has an embedded culture of learning and teaching, so there are genuine opportunities for career progression if you’re keen to develop.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide husbandry care to small animal inpatients in the wards
• Maintain and implement strict infection control practices across all areas
• Prepare the surgical environment and maintain theatre cleanliness and efficiency
• Assist the veterinary team during surgical procedures to ensure smooth theatre operations
• Accurately process laboratory samples
• Provide client-facing support and assist with reception duties

Requirements

• Significant work experience in an animal care setting (essential)
• Veterinary practice experience (advantageous)
• Initiative and strong communicative skills—you’ll be working in a fast-paced, physical environment
• Passion for providing excellent care to both patients and clients

Benefits

• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• Extensive internal CPD (continuous professional development)
• Clear career progression opportunities within the practice
• Staff discount schemes
• Life assurance
• Enhanced sickness pay
• Enhanced equal family leave
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme
• Employer contribution pension scheme
• Recruitment referral reward scheme
• Comprehensive wellness programme including employee assistance, eyecare vouchers, free annual flu jab, and cycle-to-work scheme

About the Practice

St Anne’s Veterinary Group is the largest small animal practice in the Eastbourne area, employing 13 veterinary surgeons and 16 nursing staff. The practice is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the world’s largest family-owned veterinary company. Being privately owned allows the practice to stay focused on its purpose—creating a better world for pets—rather than short-term profits.

The practice culture emphasises learning, teaching, and genuine team support. You’ll have access to a network of specialists and comprehensive wellbeing resources that prioritise both physical and mental health.