Veterinary Care Assistant

About the Role

This is a fixed-term position lasting approximately 6 months, offering an excellent entry point into veterinary practice. You’ll work 40 hours per week across a Monday to Friday rota, with shifts rotating between 8 am and 7 pm, giving you predictable weekday hours and your weekends free.

Walton Lodge Ware is a well-established small animal practice serving dogs, cats, rabbits, and other common domestic pets. The team places genuine emphasis on preventive healthcare and responsible pet ownership, and they’re looking for someone eager to learn and contribute to a collaborative nursing and reception environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Animal handling and safe restraint across various species
• Inpatient care and monitoring
• Pharmacy duties including order unpacking, stock rotation, and inventory management
• Reception cover and client-facing support
• Assisting with in-house laboratory tests and sample processing
• Supporting nurses and vets with clinical tasks
• Cleaning, maintenance, and sterilisation of veterinary instruments and equipment
• Maintaining hygiene standards across all clinical areas, including laundry duties

Requirements

• Passion for animal welfare and a genuine interest in veterinary medicine
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Strong communication skills and customer service mindset
• Prior experience is not required—full on-the-job training will be provided
• Reliability and willingness to learn across multiple areas of practice

Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £25,485 depending on experience
• 6.6 weeks annual leave
• Additional annual leave on your birthday
• Enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Employee wellbeing initiatives and non-accidental injury support
• Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Pawsome Benefits—reward gateway with discounts and cashback from 100s of retailers
• Pension scheme
• Discounted staff pet care

About the Practice

Walton Lodge Ware is part of IVC Evidensia, a leading independent veterinary group across the UK. The practice specialises in comprehensive first-opinion care for small animals, with a skilled team dedicated to providing first-class customer service and clinical excellence.

Located in Ware, South East England, the practice offers a supportive, team-focused environment where learning is encouraged and staff wellbeing is prioritised.