We are looking for integral pieces of our veterinary team puzzle, in the shape of veterinary care support apprentices’ to join our teams in a number of our sites.
About the role
Our veterinary care support (VCS) role is an ideal stepping stone for those who see themselves in the veterinary care environment, with this qualification providing the key skills. Furthermore, this is a stepping stone for those looking for that next training step working ever closer to becoming a registered veterinary nurse.
Available positions are dependant on upcoming vacancies and cohorts.
The VCS positions are full-time consisting of 40 hours per week, including your weekly college day plus a regular weekend rotation. If in a hospital position, there will also be a fair share bank holiday requirement. Prior animal care and client care experience is preferred but not essential, but would be advantageous. If you can demonstrate a passion for learning, teamwork, and providing the highest standard of patient and client care you will flourish.
The role is varied, involving and high level of client care which includes reception duties, the cleaning and upkeep of the practice and its equipment/facilities, and of course the hands-on patient care. You may be required to work across different branches within commutable distance, including the hospital sites.
This is an intense industry and profession that not only has physical challenges, but also emotional, and our veterinary colleagues must be able to adapt to this high pressured and unpredictable environment.
You will be working alongside experienced and compassionate teams who understand the need for investing time and training into our future registered nurses.
You will be fully supported by dedicated tutors who have worked in practice collectively for over 100 years, and we are incredibly proud of the training we provide.
Now let's delve into the nitty gritty, here is what we offer you:
The salary for the Level 2 Veterinary Care Support Apprentice position is £10 per hour for the first 12 months of employment, and will then increase to the current national minimal wage.
*To be considered for this apprenticeship role you do not require specific qualifications (although it would be advantageous having completed work experience or volunteering in the veterinary sector, to have an idea of the role/industry).*
If you wished to then progress onto our Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and were successful in obtaining a Level 3 position within the group, you would require English and Maths GCSEs grade C/4 and above or equivalent. If you require Maths and English this can be worked on alongside your Level 2 apprenticeship.
Please note entry onto the Level 3 Diploma from the Level 2 is dependant on various factors, including if/when there are vacancies for the next Level 3 cohort, this advert is for the Level 2 Apprenticeship only.
A little snippet of the benefits you will receive as an apprentice:
-6.6 weeks annual leave including bank holidays
-Paid 30-minute lunch breaks
-Generous colleague discounts
-The opportunity to join our private medical healthcare scheme on a reduced rate plus medical cashback incentives
If you can see yourself in this role press apply now then simply enter what branch you would be looking for a position, and within 60 seconds your application will be with Rose!
Benefits for this role include
- 6.6 weeks annual leave including bank holidays (pro-rata if part-time)
- Paid 30-minute lunch breaks
- Colleague introduction reward (for the introduction of vets and RVNs)
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme
- Medical cashback plan. Refunds on many routine medical costs such as dental care, physiotherapy, optician, chiropractic fees, and more
- Professional membership fees covered
- Shopping discounts
- Generous colleague discounts
- Petplan 20% colleague discount
About us
In 2022, we celebrated our 70th anniversary and now have 46 branches, three hospitals and our own nurse training college. We value all of our colleagues, and our forward-looking approach means we have introduced a Colleague Forum to listen to our peers’ views, as well as monthly Town Hall meetings with our board of directors communicating real time updates and taking polls with live Q&As to ensure we’re making the right, collaborative decisions for our people. All our senior managers are mental health first aid trained and we offer Wellness plans for all new starters.
If you can see yourself in this role press apply now, and within 60 seconds your application will be with our recruitment manager Rose. Alternatively, please feel free to email her directly at rstanton@goddardvetgroup.co.uk for any other queries or to simply arrange a call and have a chat about other opportunities!