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Veterinary Care Assistant Apprenticeship
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Veterinary Care Assistant Apprenticeship
PAWS & CO GROUP LTD
Wakefield (WF3 1DR)
Closes in 24 days (Friday 30 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Summary
A Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) supports veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, and the wider clinical team in providing safe, compassionate care to animals. The role involves assisting with the day-to-day care of patients, maintaining a clean and hygienic clinical environment, and helping the practice operate efficiently.
Wage: £16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
Training
- Course: Animal care and welfare assistant (level 2)
- Hours: Varying shift patterns throughout the week. 40 hours a week
- Start date: Tuesday 17 November 2026
- Duration: 1 year 2 months
- Positions available: 1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Assist vets and vet nurses with examination, procedures, and safe handling and restraint of patients
- Provide general care and support to animals whilst they are in the practice, including feeding, exercising, cleaning, and monitoring
- Prepare consult rooms/treatment areas/kennels
- Clean and disinfect clinical areas/equipment/kennels
- Some reception duties - answering the phone/booking appointments/taking payments
- Monitor animals for changes in behaviour, appetite, comfort, or general condition and report concerns promptly to the veterinary team
- Assist with the preparation and movement of patients before and after procedures
- Handle animals calmly and safely, prioritising their welfare and reducing stress wherever possible
- Maintain appropriate records and assist with administrative and reception duties when required
- Stock and organise clinical supplies and report when items need to be replenished
- Follow health and safety, infection-control, animal-welfare, and practice policies at all times
- Communicate professionally and compassionately with clients regarding the care of their animals, referring clinical questions to the appropriate veterinary professional
- Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary veterinary team
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Where you'll work
Topcliffe Close Tingley Wakefield WF3 1DR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE COLLEGE OF ANIMAL WELFARE LIMITED
Training course
Animal care and welfare assistant (level 2)
What you'll learn
- Course contents comply with UK and EU Animal related legislation
- Work effectively in a safe and healthy working environment following current / relevant health and safety legislation and work place policies
- Identify and report potential hazards and breaches of security within animal accommodation/enclosures
- Clean and maintain animal accommodation/enclosures/environment and equipment and provide appropriate resources including species specific enrichment
- Maintain hygiene, bio security procedures and infection controls when working with animals including quarantine and isolation
- Dispose of waste in a safe and appropriate manner in line with legislative and workplace requirements
- Store, use and administer medication in line with legislative and veterinary instructions as appropriate
- Monitor, record and report the health and welfare of animals in line with animal welfare legislation and workplace policies
- Observe and be aware of the behaviour of animals and take appropriate actions
- Approach/handle/restrain/move/recapture animals as part of routine husbandry appropriate for the species and individual
- Exercise/socialise animals and provide appropriate enrichment relevant to their specific needs
- Provide appropriate care, for example coat, skin, scales, plumage and feet to ensure good health and appearance
- Provide food and water to animals and monitor the intake
- Store and care for foodstuffs
- Identify and describe animals using appropriate methods to the species involved
- Maintain, update and reference correct records in accordance with current legislation
- Deliver customer experience (internal and external), where applicable, in line with workplace policies and procedures
- Respond to animal first aid, urgent, ongoing and preventive care requirements as appropriate
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Requirements
Desirable qualifications
- Relevant qualifications in: Animal Care (grade Pass) Veterinary Care (grade Pass)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience.
The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Team working
- Genuine interest in field
- Compassionate
- Patient
- Confident handling animals
- Reliable
- Able to work in busy workplace
- Willing to follow procedures
- Physically capable
- Composure in situations
- Willing to learn
- Willing to develop skills
- Professional
- Commitment to animal welfare
About this employer
First opinion Veterinary Centre. https://pawsandco.vet/ (opens in new tab)
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
You will become qualified as a veterinary care assistant and will gain employment in this sector.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE COLLEGE OF ANIMAL WELFARE LIMITED
Justin Groves
01480 422060
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000055643.
Apply now
Closes in 24 days (Friday 30 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
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