Night Patient Care Assistant

Location: Newmarket, Cambridge

Job Type: Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours averaged per week

Shifts: 12 hour night shifts on a 4 on 5 off pattern, between the hours of 6.30pm-6.30am, covering  weekday and weekend and Bank Holiday nights.

We are seeking passionate and enthusiastic Patient Care Assistant to join our vibrant Night Team, working within a wards-based setting in our busy, purpose-built specialist veterinary hospital.

As a Night PCA, you would be involved in all aspects of the care of our canine and feline patients, from their admission through to discharge. This is a varied, hands-on role, rotating across all wards and including everything from basic animal husbandry, through to supporting patients during specialist veterinary procedures and administering oral medications. Alongside patient care you would also be responsible for ensuring that the cleanliness and stock levels within the wards are maintained, following infection control protocols to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for the patients. The varied role will allow you to develop a broad range of experience and knowledge of working in a veterinary referral hospital.   

Job Purpose

• Ensure highest level of patient care is provided

• Demonstrate professional behaviours and a committed approach to tasks.

• Maintain a clean and hygienic clinical environment

• Work and communicate effectively with clients and associates.

• Working under the direction of Veterinary Surgeons and Registered Veterinary Nurses you will be involved in aspects of housekeeping and husbandry duties.

• Follow Standard Operating Procedures at all times to include but not limited to; clinical tasks, patient restraint, waste disposal, infection control and health and safety policies.

What we're looking for

To be successful in this role you need to be highly organised, have the physical, mental and emotional stamina required to work with sick animals, and have the ability to cope with a fast-paced working environment. You should be a highly motivated team player and have the passion and drive for delivering outstanding care for clients and their beloved pets.

If you have a desire to build a career working with and caring for animals, with in-house training, we are the ideal working environment to help you flourish. Although not a requirement of the role, many of our PCAs eventually progress onto further education programmes as Student Veterinary Nurses or take their PCA pathway into a different role within DWR.

PCA experience is not necessary as full training will be provided, although it would be beneficial to have a basic knowledge of animal care and handling.

Due to H&S considerations, applicants must be over 18 years old.

What we offer

• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and Birthday Leave

• Career progression opportunities

• Staff discount schemes

• Life Assurance

• Group Pension scheme

• Enhanced sickness pay

• Enhanced equal family leave

• E-car salary sacrifice scheme

• Employer contribution pension scheme

• Wellness program including:

• Employee assistance program

• Eyecare voucher scheme

• Free annual Flu jab

• Cycle to work scheme

• Recruitment referral reward scheme.

To Apply please submit your CV and a cover letter.

About us

DWR Veterinary Specialists (DWR) is one of the largest specialist multi-disciplinary veterinary referral centres in Europe, offering outstanding levels of clinical care in state-of-the-art facilities.

Our dedicated vets, nurses and nursing assistants, supported by the client care teams, are committed to providing the highest quality care

for pets. Many of our clinicians are nationally or internationally recognised specialists in their field and bring unique experiences to care for pets.

We accept referrals in Anaesthesia, Cardiology, Dermatology, Diagnostic Imaging, Emergency and Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Oncology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Physiotherapy, Dentistry and Soft Tissue Surgery.

We have comprehensive and established clinical and non-clinical programmes for training, development and CPD.

DWR is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, we can truly be driven by our purpose, to create a better world, and think long-term as opposed to being focused solely on short-term profits.   

At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6000 strong and empowered to speak up, step up and deliver quality services. You’ll have access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities and an easily accessible, comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best – care for pets.   

We are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse, we care about you and want you to be authentic, with everything you need to perform at your best. We are all individual but two important things bring us together: a commitment to excellence and our passion to achieve our purpose.  

All applications with the relevant skills and qualifications will be carefully considered. If you need any support in completing your application or simply want to find out more about DWR, Linnaeus or the role, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at careers@linnaeusgroup.co.uk. 

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