Interested in this role?
We're looking for a compassionate and motivated Night Animal Care Assistant (ACA) to join our dedicated team.
Working alongside our veterinary surgeons, nurses and experienced Night ACAs, you'll play a vital role in caring for our hospital patients and helping ensure the hospital runs smoothly throughout the night. Every shift is different, making this a rewarding role where you'll learn new skills and make a real difference to the animals in our care.
What you'll be doing
No two nights are the same, but your responsibilities will include:
- Providing support to our veterinary surgeons and nurses with patient care and clinical procedures.
- Maintaining a clean, safe and hygienic hospital environment.
- Keeping ward areas clean, organised and well stocked.
- Helping ensure our patients are comfortable and well cared for throughout the night.
- Supporting the wider team with the day-to-day running of the hospital.
- Our Animal Care Assistants are an essential part of our hospital team, and their contribution is key to delivering outstanding patient care.
What we're looking for
We're looking for someone who:
- Enjoys working as part of a team while also being confident working independently.
- Has excellent communication and organisational skills.
- Is calm, compassionate and confident around animals.
- Is enthusiastic, reliable and keen to learn.
Previous experience working with animals is desirable but not essential. An Animal Care qualification is not required, as full training and support will be provided. We welcome applications from people who are eager to develop their skills and build a career in veterinary care.
Shift pattern
- 7 × 12-hour night shifts
- Week on, week off
Benefits and wellbeing
Our people are at the heart of what we do and as your employer we want to ensure we offer flexibility, support and staff development, where possible, through:
Time off
- 6.6 weeks holiday per year, inclusive of bank holidays
- Additional holiday entitlement for Long Service
Wellbeing
- On site Mental Wellbeing Champions
- EDI committee
- Employee Forum – to ensure all employees voices can be heard
- Menopause Café
- Wellbeing talks and events
- Cycle to work scheme
- Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity pay (after 2 years’ service)
Health
- SimplyHealth Cashplan membership
- Free annual flu vaccination
- Free Specsavers eye test voucher
General
- Free onsite parking
- U2 bus service link to Bristol
- Annual CPD allowance
- Employee discount
- Generous pension scheme – we match up to 8% pension contributions
- Reimbursement of one professional membership fee per year
How to apply
If this role sounds like the right fit for you, don’t delay, click ‘Apply’ and begin your career with Langford Vets.
Closing date for this role is: Wednesday 19th August 2026 (applications may close early if we receive a high volume)
Job Description
Responsibilities
Job purpose
Job Title: Night Animal Care Assistant
Reports To: Head Night Nurse
Job Purpose:
To assist the veterinary and support staff of the Small Animal Hospital in maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene throughout all clinical areas. To assist clinicians and nursing staff with the provision of in-patient care, throughout all stages of the patient’s treatment. To maintain wards and other clinical areas, to include cleaning and stocking up. To maintain the laundry and kitchen area, to include loading and unloading of washing machines/tumble dryers, folding and storing of clean bedding, cleaning of feed bowls and litter trays.
Principal Accountabilities:
- Assist veterinary surgeons and nurses with clinical procedures and patient handling and restraint
- Maintain a high level of asepsis throughout the hospital including wards and other clinical areas and to ensure all areas are adequately stocked with supplies and consumables.
- Assist the veterinary nurses with inpatient care including feeding, walking and cleaning of hospitalised animals.
- Maintain the laundry and kitchen area, to include loading and unloading of washing machines/tumble dryers, folding and storing of clean bedding, cleaning of feed bowls and litter trays.
- Assist the veterinary nurses and clinicians with in patient procedures such as bandage changes, x-rays, physiotherapy, blood sampling and catheter placement.
- Maintaining accurate patient records with regards to all clinical notes, treatment, diagnoses, client communication and client /patient information
- Maintaining a good working relationship with all team members
- Communicating in an effective an pleasant manner with clients and colleagues
- Have a flexible approach to working pattern, providing cover for other staff absences as necessary
- Proactively identify and act upon opportunities for business improvement. Openly identify and discuss problems in order to implement and sustain improvements that increase the value we deliver to our, clients, employees, and students.
- Responsible for keeping themselves and others safe, reporting accidents, near misses and hazards and adhering to health and safety requirements and policies as required by the business/their line manager.
- Carry out all other reasonable duties as requested by line manager
Person Specification
Person Specification
The skills, abilities, experience and knowledge outlined below provide a summary of what is required to carry out this job effectively.
Essential |
Desirable |
Confidence and experience in effective handling and restraint of animals |
Practical experience working in a veterinary or animal based environment |
Basic understanding of English language and mathematics |
Animal Nursing Assistant qualification or certificate in Animal Care |
Communicating effectively with clients |
Interest in advancing own qualifications |
Ability to work within a team |
|
Ability to act independently |
|
Flexible approach to work |