Job Title: Veterinary Care Assistant – Full Time Location: Pet Care, part of Kin Vet Community based in Erith, Kent Hours: Full-Time (40 hours/week, including 1 in 4 Saturdays, 8:30am–2:00pm) Salary: £12.21 per hour Clinical Director: Sebastiano Re Head Nurse: Kirstie Staggs Client Services Manager: Tina McQuade At Pet Care, being part of Kin Vet Community offers numerous advantages. Kin Vet Community, established in June 2023, is a vet-led collective of 19 veterinary practices in Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Kent and Southwest London. We provide compassionate, high-quality care for pets and their owners with a strong focus on providing collaborative support for our clinicians. About the Role We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Veterinary Care Assistant to join our friendly team at Pet Care Veterinary Surgery. This is a hands-on role supporting the clinical team to provide exceptional care to our patients and outstanding service to our clients. Key Responsibilities Clinical Support Duties Safely handle and restrain animals during examinations, treatments, grooming, or procedures Assist vets and nurses during consultations, including preparing equipment and note-taking Clean and sterilise surgical instruments and clinical areas Support theatre preparation and post-operative monitoring Monitor patients during recovery under veterinary supervision and maintain accurate records Feed, hydrate, walk, and exercise patients as directed by the vet team Maintain cleanliness of kennels, bedding, and recovery areas Observe and report on animal welfare and comfort Run basic in-house laboratory tests Assist veterinary nurses and surgeons during procedures Hygiene & Infection Control Follow infection control protocols rigorously Clean and disinfect kennels, prep areas, theatres, consult rooms, and equipment Safely manage clinical and general waste, including sharps disposal Reception & Client Interaction Greet clients and check in patients with a warm and professional manner Book appointments and surgeries accurately Handle telephone enquiries and provide clear communication to clients Process payments and update client records efficiently What We’re Looking For A genuine love of animals and a calm, compassionate approach to patient care Strong communication and team-working skills A reliable, organised, and proactive attitude Willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced clinical environment Desirable (but not essential): Previous experience in a veterinary or animal care setting Animal Care qualification or willingness to undertake training What we're offering: 5 working weeks annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time candidates) Private Healthcare with Vitality Occupational Health Services Free eye test vouchers and money towards your glasses for VDU users Enhanced Maternity/Paternity leave 3 weeks occupational sickness pay Generous colleague discount scheme for up to 5 registered pets