Animal Care Assistant

About the Role

This part-time Animal Care Assistant position is based at Vets Now's emergency clinic in Derby, where you'll support our clinical teams in providing compassionate care to patients during busy emergency shifts. Working on a rotating three-week pattern (Week 1 and 2 on shift, Week 3 off), you'll be part of the UK's leading emergency pet care provider, which operates 60+ dedicated out-of-hours clinics and two 24/7 pet emergency hospitals serving over 1,700 veterinary practices.

You'll work evening shifts (18:00 to 00:00) under the guidance of Vet Nurses and Vet Surgeons, gaining hands-on experience in a fast-paced emergency environment. This is an ideal role if you're looking to build a career in emergency and critical care whilst maintaining flexibility in your schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Work under the supervision of Vet Nurses and Vet Surgeons in an emergency clinic setting
• Handle patients and assist with basic procedures
• Support diagnostic testing and laboratory work
• Set up and clear down theatre spaces for surgical procedures
• Provide essential husbandry care for all in-patients, ensuring their comfort and wellbeing

Requirements

• No prior experience required, though enthusiasm for animal care is essential
• Ability to work flexibly as part of a rotating rota pattern
• Willingness to learn and work under clinical supervision
• Capability to work in a busy, fast-paced emergency environment

Benefits

• Competitive hourly rate of £13.45 per hour
• 7 weeks annual leave (pro rata)
• Birthday paid day off
• Cash Health Plan provided by Simply Health
• Vets Now For You reward gateway offering discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers
• £780 CPD allowance (pro rata)
• 10 hours paid CPD time annually (pro rata)
• Family-friendly policies including sick, maternity, paternity and adoption pay schemes
• UK Standard Pension contributions (5% employee, 3% employer)
• Up to 50% discounted staff pet care
• Paid volunteering days
• Death in service benefit of two times annual salary

About the Practice

Vets Now is the UK's leading provider of emergency pet care, operating 60+ dedicated out-of-hours clinics and two 24/7 pet emergency hospitals. The Derby clinic is part of this network, staffed by a highly skilled emergency team committed to providing urgent care when pet owners need it most.

The organisation is a Disability Confident Employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those from diverse and minority groups. Vets Now is committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.