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 at PDSA Gateshead. You’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.
Work pattern & rota
We recognise the importance of work–life balance and have a rota designed to support it:
Temporary contract expected to cover for up to 6 months
37.5 hours per week, hours vary each day
Working hours between 08:00 - 20:00 (7.5 hour shifts)
1 in 4 weekends with hours either working 09:00 - 19:00 or 10:00 - 20:00
About the hospital
PDSA Gateshead 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 Health Employee Assistance Programme, with 24/7 wellbeing support.
Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.
Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support you and your family.
10% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.
To apply for this role, click Apply Now at the top of the page, create a candidate account and complete our simple application form.
PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the recruitment process.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.
To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.
The Company has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. We have a vast number of employees, and provide support to clients from all over the country.
