Theatre Focused Patient Care Assistant

Job Title: Theatre Focused Patient Care Assistant

Location: DWR, Newmarket, Cambridge - part of Linnaeus

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Hours: 40 hours per week

Shift pattern: Monday to Friday 8 hours per shift between 8am - 8pm, compressed hours (4 x 10 hour shifts) may also be considered. Plus 1 in 4 weekends.

We are seeking a passionate and enthusiastic Patient Care Assistant to join our vibrant Theatre Team working in our busy, purpose-built specialist veterinary centre.

As a Theatre Focused PCA you will primarily work within the Theatre suite or Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD), being involved in all aspects of caring for and supporting our canine and feline patients before, during and after their surgical procedures. This is a varied, hands on role including everything from basic animal handling, through to maintaining specialist surgical equipment and supporting the veterinary surgeons during complex procedures.

You will have the opportunity to be involved in the facilitation and smooth running of surgical procedures across a range of different disciplines, including soft-tissue, orthopaedics, neurology, ophthalmology and dentistry, this will allow you to develop a broad range of experience and knowledge of working in a veterinary referral centre.

Once the induction training has been completed then participation in the out of hours rotas will be required, this could be working 1:4 weekends caring for inpatients in the wards or covering the theatre on-call, this would involve covering allocated evenings, weekends and bank holidays on-call and then coming into the hospital as required, a supplement payment is associated with the on-call provision and allocated rest time would be provided for the wards weekend shifts.

Responsibilities:

·      Supporting patients before, during and after their surgical procedures.

·      Work efficiently and effectively to prevent delays and adapt quickly to changing demands

·      Maintain cleanliness standards of the clinical environment and equipment in line with infection control policies.

·      Work and communicate effectively and professionally with other associates and departments across the hospital.

·      Working under the direction of Veterinary Surgeons and Registered Veterinary Nurses to provide all aspects of patient care.

·      Carrying out duties in the sterile services department to maintain instrumentation and equipment correctly and to ensure efficient turnaround times.

·      Assisting with diagnostic imaging

·      Setting up/closing the theatre suites down before and after procedures

·      Housekeeping duties to include but not limited to; stock control, maintaining cleanliness and organisation.

·      Follow Standard Operating Procedures at all times to include but not limited to; clinical tasks, infection control, patient restraint, waste disposal and health and safety policies.

To be successful in this role you need to be highly organised, willing to learn, have great attention to detail and have the ability to cope under pressure in a fast-paced working environment. You should be a highly motivated team player with excellent communication skills and have the passion and drive for delivering outstanding patient care.

If you have a desire to learn and build a career working with and caring for animals, we are the ideal working environment to help you flourish. Although not a requirement of the role, many of our PCAs eventually progress onto further education programmes as Student Veterinary Nurses or progress their PCA pathway within DWR.

Although beneficial, prior PCA experience or work within a clinical veterinary setting is not necessary as full training will be provided.

What we offer

• 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays + Birthday Leave
• Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD program
• Career progression opportunities
• Staff discount schemes
• Life Assurance
• Enhanced sickness pay
• Enhanced equal family leave
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme
• Employer contribution pension scheme

Wellness program including:

• Employee assistance program
• Eyecare voucher scheme
• Free annual Flu jab
• Cycle to work scheme

About us

Dick White Referrals (DWR) is one of the largest specialist multi-disciplinary veterinary referral centres in Europe, offering outstanding levels of clinical care in state-of-the-art facilities.

 Our dedicated vets, nurses and patient care assistants, supported by the client care teams

teams, are committed to providing the highest quality surgical and medical care

for pets. Many of our clinicians are nationally or internationally recognised specialists in their field and bring unique experiences to care for pets.

 We accept referrals in Anaesthesia, Cardiology, Dermatology, Diagnostic Imaging, Emergency and Critical Care, Internal Medicine Neurology and Neurosurgery, Oncology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Physiotherapy and Soft Tissue Surgery.

Practice Name is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, we can truly be driven by our purpose, to create a better world, and think long-term as opposed to being focused solely on short-term profits.   

At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6000 strong and empowered to speak up, step up and deliver quality services. You’ll have access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities and an easily accessible, comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best – care for pets.   

We are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse, we care about you and want you to be authentic, with everything you need to perform at your best. We are all individual but two important things bring us together: a commitment to excellence and our passion to achieve our purpose.  

All applications with the relevant skills and qualifications will be carefully considered. If you need any support in completing your application or simply want to find out more about Practice Name, Linnaeus or the role, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]. 

#LI-OH1 #LI-Onsite 

Salary Value: £26,701 per annum;