Location: Movement Referrals Midlands, Uttoxeter, ST14 8AZ
Facility Type: Independent Specialist Veterinary Referral Hospital (Small Animal Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery & Neurology)
Hours: Full-time or part-time considered (24–40 hours/week)
Annual Leave: 6.6 weeks pro rata including Bank Holidays
Salary: From £26,500 full-time equivalent, pro rata for part-time hours (depending on experience)
Start Date: As soon as possible
Application Deadline: Monday 8th June 2026
Movement Referrals is an independent provider of Specialist veterinary referral services in orthopaedics, neurosurgery and neurology. Operating from our purpose-built referral hospital in Uttoxeter, we are looking for a Veterinary Theatre & Animal Care Assistant to join our growing team.
This is a varied hands-on role combining inpatient care, theatre support, sterile services and general clinical assistance within a busy referral environment.
Key Responsibilities
Patient & Inpatient Care
- Exercising and providing enrichment for inpatients
- Monitoring patient comfort and wellbeing
- Supporting nutritional care and maintaining clean, comfortable wards
- Assisting with handling and restraint of patients
- Recording patient observations and communicating concerns to the nursing team
- Administering oral and topical medications as directed
Theatre & Surgical Support
- Daily theatre set-up and shutdown
- Cleaning and maintaining an aseptic theatre environment
- Sterilising and preparing surgical instrumentation and packs
- Preparing patients for surgery including clipping and surgical scrub preparation
- Supporting patient positioning and transfer in theatre
- Preparing PPE and sterile consumables for surgical procedures
- Assisting with theatre stock control and organisation
- Maintaining equipment including clippers, suction units and cautery equipment
General Duties
- Supporting vets, nurses and the wider clinical team
- Laundry and general hospital maintenance
- Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organisation throughout the hospital
- Undertaking reception duties during periods of high demand or annual leave cover
- Taking phone calls from clients and veterinary professionals and directing them appropriately
- Assisting with stock ordering and consumable management
- Supporting other departments where required
- Participating in rota requirements including sickness, holiday and bank holiday cover
Essential Criteria
- Experience working with animals, ideally within a veterinary environment
- Calm and professional under pressure
- Strong attention to detail and cleanliness
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Good communication skills
- Ability to handle confidential information appropriately
Desirable Criteria
- Previous experience in theatre, sterile services or veterinary practice
- Experience preparing patients for surgery
- Customer-facing or reception experience
- Veterinary administration knowledge
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Sick pay
- Free on-site parking
- Supportive independent specialist team environment
Schedule
- Monday to Friday
- Flexibility required for holiday/sickness cover
- In-person role
Location & Commute
Applicants should reliably commute to Uttoxeter, ST14 8AZ, or plan to relocate before starting work.
Informal enquiries:
Kerry Turner – Practice Manager
[email protected]
Rob Peace – Nursing Team Leader
[email protected]
01889 284969
Pay: From £26,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
