Veterinary Care Assistant

Make a difference every day with PDSA

About Us

Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA have provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people in financial hardship.

We’re now on a journey to expand our reach to support even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape a future‑focused PDSA. Together, we'll build a stronger organisation to ensure our services help those who need us most for the next hundred years.

If you're ready to make a real difference and be part of a team that's creating positive change, we want you to join us. Let's build a brighter future for pets and their owners, together.

About you

We’re looking for a Veterinary Care Assistant to join our friendly team ’ll be committed to providing a high standard of customer service and clinical care, promoting pet wellbeing and supporting the wider clinical team. You’ll enjoy working in a busy, purpose‑led environment where you can make a real difference to pets and owners who really need our help.

In this role, you’ll support the hospital team in all aspects of day‑to‑day care. You’ll help maintain a clean, safe and hygienic environment at all times, assist with animal handling, work on reception when needed and provide hands‑on support to our Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Surgeons. You’ll also be comfortable talking to clients about appropriate financial contributions, always with empathy and professionalism.

Depending on the needs of the hospital, you may work full‑time or part‑time hours, and this role offers an excellent starting point if you’re looking to build a career within veterinary practice.

Applicants must hold a Veterinary Care Assistant Level 2 Diploma (or equivalent qualification) and have experience working within a veterinary practice.

You will be highly self‑motivated, with strong customer service skills and a caring, practical approach. Due to the varied shift pattern, applicants must be aged 18 or over.

We are looking for someone who is organised, reliable and able to work effectively as part of a supportive team

Above all, you’ll be passionate about animal welfare and keen to learn, grow and contribute to the valuable work PDSA does in the local community.

Working Pattern: 07:45 - 16.15, 09:00 - 17:30, 11.30 - 20:00

About the hospital

Southampton is a highly collaborative, effective hospital, a great place for teamwork, case discussion and shared learning. Our teams have varied clinical interests, giving you access to a wide pool of knowledge and experience when discussing cases and treatment plans.

Our Pet Hospitals are modern and well‑equipped and include separate dog and cat kennelling facilities, in‑house radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, piped gases and extensive orthopaedic equipment.

Rewards, support and benefits

We’re really passionate about being a great place to work, somewhere people feel proud of what they do, connected to a meaningful purpose, and able to make a genuine difference every day. Our teams are collaborative and supportive, and we encourage everyone to bring their ideas, individuality and passion for pets to work with them.

As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people‑focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:

• Flexible working options to support your work–life balance and individual circumstances.

• 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays.

• Three paid special days off:
  Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day annually.

• Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.

• Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind.

• AXA…