If you are a current Linnaeus Associate, you will need to apply internally. In order to do this, please contact our Talent Acquisition team (details can be found via The Link) and someone will be in touch to discuss and progress your application.

Theatre Focused Patient Care Assistant

Job Title: Theatre Focused Patient Care Assistant (PCA)

Location: Dick White Referrals

Job Type: FTC 12 months

Hours: 40 hours per week Monday-Friday

DWR Veterinary Specialists (DWR) is one of the largest 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 non-clinical teams, are committed to providing the highest quality for pets and their owners. Many of our clinicians are nationally or internationally recognised specialists in their field and bring unique experiences to care for pets.

Develop your career with Dick White Referrals and be part of something special!

We are seeking passionate and enthusiastic Theatre Focused Patient Care Assistant (PCA) to join our vibrant Theatre Team in our busy, purpose-built specialist veterinary hospital.

As a Theatre PCA you would be a vital part of the team caring for and supporting our canine and feline patients throughout their surgical procedures. This is a varied, hands-on role including everything from basic animal husbandry, through to preparing patients for surgery, handling surgical equipment/instrumentation and being responsible for ensuring that the hygiene and stock levels are maintained.

Role Overview

Your responsibilities will include the handling, maintenance & care of surgical instrumentation & equipment, surgical preparation, theatre assistance, upholding a high standard of hospital hygiene, accurate record keeping & effective communication and teamwork. You will work enthusiastically with the nursing team to help maintain a happy and efficient working environment. 

As a focused role, your work will be prioritised within the surgical theatres and sterilisation facility, though assistance with basic patient care may also be required at times. 

You will be a hardworking and focused individual with good attention to detail, the ability to remain calm under pressure and use initiative.  Previous veterinary or theatre-based experience would be desirable but is not essential as training will be provided. The position is full-time with shifts falling between 8am and 7pm, the standard working pattern is 5 x 8 hours shifts per week but 4 x 10 hour shifts would also be considered.

Your role and responsibilities

• Provision of a high quality of patient care.
• Clean, pack and sterilise surgical instruments, kits and sterile supplies.  
• Theatre maintenance including preparation and cleaning between procedures. 
• Assist with patient preparation and surgical team support under the direction of the clinicians and RVNs.  
• Use and maintenance sterilisation equipment following SOPs.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide a high standard of hospital hygiene, to include cleaning and disinfection in all areas. 
• Assist with stock management, such as unpacking orders, stock rotation, quarterly stock takes and co-ordinating orders.
• Demonstrate an excellent work ethic and capability in all duties, including a high level of hygiene and the ability to use own initiative to recognise and undertake relevant actions with regards to infection control.   
• Ensure accurate record keeping is undertaken, especially regarding anaesthetic and hospitalisation records. 
• Work closely with the wider team to plan for the daily case load and highlight any issues or concerns that may arise.  
• Participate in team briefings and meetings to ensure effective and efficient communication. 
• Use Halo reporting to reflect on incidents or near misses where patient care can be improved. 

Benefits

• 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays + Birthday Leave
• Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD program
• 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.

Salary Value: £24,045;

Salary Description: per annum

We are proud to be Linnaeus, part of Mars.

Linnaeus is a forward-thinking group of highly respected primary care and specialist referral practices in the UK and Ireland. Being family owned and part of Mars Veterinary Health, the largest veterinary company in the world, allows us to focus on advancing the veterinary profession to provide industry-leading pet care and unique career opportunities for our people.

Why Linnaeus?

-    We pride ourselves in offering high-quality excellence of service and clinical care for our clients and their pets

-    We lead on sustainability and collectively drive positive change for people, pets and the planet

-    We prioritise your mental health and wellbeing – valuing equity, diversity and inclusion

-    We support your personal and professional development with best-in-class career frameworks and training programmes. We will empower and support you to grow your career from day one.

We team up within our Mars family in partnership for a stronger future.

Linnaeus is an equal-opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We treat each other fairly and equitably and we are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse for all our Associates.

At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people.

If you would like to apply for this role, please click the ‘Apply’ button or for more information or please reach out directly to our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]