Animal Care Assistant

UE04 £ 26, pro rata per annum (based on a 35 hour week)

CMVM / Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies / Hospital for Small Animals

35 hours/week plus 2.5 hours/week of contractual overtime which is paid above salary

Open ended contract

Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm shift time (TBC with successful candidate)

Are you passionate about animal care and ready to make a real difference? This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a leading veterinary and teaching hospital, where your work directly supports the health and wellbeing of a wide range of animals.

We’re proud of our dynamic and compassionate team of vets, nurses and assistants—all united by a shared commitment to delivering exceptional patient care. Now, we’re looking for someone equally dedicated to join our Animal Care Team.

This is a hands‑on, fast‑paced position that plays a vital role in the care of our hospitalised patients. You’ll be involved in a variety of essential tasks, including:

• Cleaning and maintaining kennels, wards and clinical areas to the highest hygiene standards
• Supporting hospital’s infection control protocols
• Feeding and grooming inpatients
• Walking dogs and providing enrichment
• Assisting vets and nurses with procedures involving dogs, cats and exotic species
• Managing laundry and general patient care duties

We offer a comprehensive 6‑8 week training programme to help you settle into the role. You’ll normally shadow our friendly and experienced team during standard daytime hours (Monday–Friday, 8.30am–5.00pm) to build your confidence and skills. Any hours worked beyond your contracted time during training will be paid as overtime.

• Experience working with animals in a veterinary setting is essential.
• Ability to work alone as well as part of a team is essential.
• Excellent communication skills essential to this role.
• Full, clean driving licence is essential.

• Staff discount for pet treatment.
• Amazing onsite perks:
  • Staff discount for on‑site gym and exercise classes
  • Free car parking with electric car charging points
  • Two on site canteens.
  • Cycle to work scheme, on‑site bike lockers and showers available
• Additional shift cover opportunities are available, accruing paid overtime for additional hours worked.
• Holiday entitlement of 36 days + 4 days public holiday per annum for full‑time staff (pro rata).

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Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

• CV
• Cover letter

• A competitive salary
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
• Comprehensive staff benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts and family‑friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab). https://link

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. They will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

The closing date for applications is 5 January 2026.

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