“A huge focus for me is compassionate patient care, and I am so grateful to be part of a practice that prioritises this so highly.”
The Ralph is the UK's largest non-corporate multidisciplinary specialist referral centre for dogs and cats. Team Ralph consists of ~260 team members. Our hospital is in Marlow, Bucks, west of London. It is just off the A404 and easily accessible from the M4 and M40 motorways.
Both our Daytime and Nighttime Patient Care Assistant (PCA) teams have several vacancies. So if you prefer the hustle and bustle of the day or working at night when the hospital is quieter, we have an opportunity for you!
*Responsibilities*
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Assisting the vets and nurses with patient care
- Walking, feeding, cleaning and looking after the patients in our Dog wards, Cat ward and ICUs
- Stock management
- Cleanliness, tidiness and maintenance of clinical areas
- Generally helping as and where needed
Daytime PCAs at The Ralph rotate through all departments within the hospital. This includes assisting the Theatre team with daily workflow, including preoperative patient preparation and infection control measures. It also includes working alongside the Medicine and Oncology services and assisting with daily pet carer consultations.
“My favourite part about my job is getting to help the vets and nurses with patients and procedures. I absolutely love learning, and everyone at The Ralph is a great teacher. [It] is all so rewarding to see these patients get the help they need and deserve.”
We highly support professional development and growth. We encourage active participation in ongoing education and training to maintain and improve skills and knowledge.
*Qualifications*
- Previous experience as a Patient Care Assistant in a veterinary setting is preferred but not essential.
- Strong understanding of animal care and handling
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively
- Compassionate and empathetic approach towards our fellow animals
*Additional Information*
- Salary range: Daytime £26,440-27,940; Nighttime £28,290-29,900.
- The Ralph is a National Living Wage payer.
- Full-time and part-time applicants will be considered.
- Full-time is equivalent to forty hours per week, including a one-hour paid lunch break per shift.
- We will provide full training and support.
- The Ralph will also pay for Daytime PCAs to undertake a Veterinary Care Support (VCS) training course. This is a compulsory requirement of the PCA role to further develop your skillset by providing the necessary clinical knowledge.
- The Daytime PCA rota includes working early shifts, late shifts, weekends, and, potentially, the occasional night shift.
- The typical Nighttime working pattern is three weekly shifts from 7:30 pm to 8:00 am.
*To Apply*
Please apply via Indeed.
The closing date for applications is Monday, 13th July. Recruitment may close sooner if enough applications are received before this date. We encourage you to submit your application as quickly as possible!
You must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom.
The start date is flexible for our preferred candidates.
If you are passionate about enhancing your skills and knowledge and want to be part of an independent team delivering exceptional, compassionate, ethical veterinary care, we would love to hear from you.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £26,440.00-£29,900.00 per year
Benefits:
- Bereavement leave
- Company events
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Marlow SL7 1YG: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:
- Animal care: 1 year (preferred)
Language:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
