Job Title: Patient Care Assistant

Salary: £24,045 per annum

Location: Spinney Vets, Northampton

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Hours: 38.5 hours per week

Shifts : Include some evening and weekend work. Flexibility in working patterns is essential.

We are currently looking for a friendly, enthusiastic individual who is passionate about animal care to join our Patient Care Assistant team!

Veterinary Patient Care Assistants look after the day-to-day care of animals in the Veterinary Hospital, under supervision and assist the Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Surgeons with the smooth running of the hospital.

You will be enrolled on our in-house Linnaeus PCA training course to provide you with the skills, confidence and competence to perform all the duties required of a PCA.

Your role and responsibilities

• ​Work alongside veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to provide vital care to patients

• Record and update information on patient records

• Clean, prepare and maintain patient accommodation

• Exercise, feed, and groom patients

• Calculate nutritional requirements for patients and maintain the patency of feeding tubes and administer tube feeds - checking that a feeding tube is patent and in position - administering a tube feed whilst observing a patient for any related complications

• Handle and restrain patients for treatment

• Assist with preparing patients for procedures - clipping - removing food and water where required

• Administer topical and oral medication and administer sub-cutaneous injections

• Assist with diagnostic imaging - preparing equipment ready for use - assisting with positioning patients for x-rays - assisting with positioning a patient for ultrasound ​

• Prepare theatre - cleaning and damp dusting - cleaning, packaging, and sterilising instruments - preparing materials, instruments, and equipment

• Work as theatre technicians - organising materials, instruments, and equipment - opening and passing sterile materials, instruments, and equipment directly to scrubbed Associates in an

• Carry out first aid

• Carry out reception duties to include record keeping.

Required skills and abilities:

• Excellent listening and communication skills

• Team player

• Highly organised with the ability to multitask, plan and prioritise effectively in accordance with business needs

• Proactive and well organised with an eye for detail

• Remains calm under pressure

Desirable Experience

• Experience working with animals, especially in a veterinary environment, preferred but not essential.

• Confident in the use of IT packages, email and online internet browsers

• GCSE English and Maths or Level 2 qualification in Animal Care

Benefits

• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and Birthday Leave

• Career progression opportunities

• Staff discount schemes

• Life Assurance

• 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

About Us

We are a well-established, RCVS accredited, primary care practice that specialises in small animals within the county of Northamptonshire. Spinney Vets has two branches, a large, well-equipped RCVS accredited hospital and recently expanded GP accredited surgery.

Our highly trained staff create a loving and caring service that goes above and beyond to keep our patients healthy. As a team we collaborate with each other on complicated cases or support all colleagues with career progression within the industry.

To apply, please complete the quick application form below. Alternatively, for more information, please contact Katie Knight on katie .knight@linnaeusgroup.co.uk