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.

Job Title:  Patient Care Assistant (PCA) - Wards

Job Location: Cambridgeshire

Founded in 2003 by Professor Dick White, and now part of the Linnaeus Group, DWR has grown rapidly to become the largest private veterinary referral centre in the UK. DWR is a busy, purpose-built specialist referral-only small animal veterinary centre providing 24/7 referral-only services for patients across England, via our dedicated team of world-class clinicians, RVNs and support colleagues.  The practice is fully equipped with the latest surgical equipment and diagnostic facilities commensurate with a flagship specialist veterinary centre. 

Based in Six Mile Bottom, Cambridgeshire, UK, located only 6 miles from the historic town of Newmarket and 8 miles from the vibrant and historic university city of Cambridge, with excellent connections to London, the Midlands, and the stunning East Anglian coast.

Job Summary:

We are seeking passionate and enthusiastic Patient Care Assistants to join our vibrant Wards Nursing Team working in our busy, purpose-built specialist veterinary centre.

As a PCA in Wards 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 including everything from basic animal husbandry, through to supporting patients during specialist veterinary procedures.

You will have the opportunity to rotate across several different areas including Surgery, Medicine, Feline and Neurology among others, allowing you to develop a broad range of experience and knowledge of working in a veterinary referral centre. Although this role is primarily wards based there will still be a necessity to provide support to other departments including Ophthalmology, Oncology and Diagnostic Imaging. 

This position is full-time, working a 40-hour week (Monday – Friday) with 8-hour shifts between 6.30am-6.30pm and a 1:4 weekend rota with compensated time off. Participation in the Bank Holiday rota is also required.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure highest level of patient care is provided
• Demonstrate the DWR values of Excellence, Trust and Care in their daily work by maintaining a professional and committed approach.
• 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.

Successful Candidate:

To be successful in this role you need to be highly organised, have the physical, mental and emotional stamina required to work with seriously ill patients, 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 client and patient care.

If you have a desire to build a career working with and caring for animals, with an onsite college and 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 further 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.

As you would expect from the UK’s largest private veterinary referral centre, we offer an inspiring and friendly working environment together with career development opportunities and an attractive benefits package.

Benefits

As you would expect from the UK's largest private veterinary referral hospital, we offer an inspiring and friendly working environment together with career development opportunities and an excellent package and benefits that include:

• Organised in-house CPD
• Dedicated CPD allowance
• Pension
• Generous leave allowance
• Access to Private Medical cover
• Personal Health Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Childcare Vouchers
• Cycle to Work 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]