JOB TITLE: Patient Care Assistant (Ophthalmology Focus)
REPORTING TO: Lead Theatre RVN, Head of Nursing Services
HOURS: Full-Time (40 Hours/Week)
SALARY: From £27,000 D.O.E
START DATE: February 2026
An exciting opportunity has opened at London Vet Specialists for a Patient Care Assistant to join our ophthalmology team in our multidisciplinary referral centre in Hammersmith. The successful candidate will have previous experience in a veterinary patient care role, with previous experience in referral or working alongside a veterinary ophthalmologist advantageous but not essential.
Role Overview
The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) will be responsible for working collaboratively with the Head of Nursing Services (HoNS), Lead Nurses, Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVN) and Clinicians across the hospital to ensure the efficient delivery of outstanding patient care through all services. You will work enthusiastically with the nursing team to help maintain a happy and efficient working environment.
Your responsibilities will include the provision of high standards of patient and client care, promoting the comfort and safety of patients undergoing investigations and surgery, consultation assistance, maintaining patient accommodation, upholding a high standard of hospital hygiene, accurate record keeping & effective communication and teamwork.
As a focused PCA role, your work will be prioritised within the ophthalmology discipline at LVS, though will include some wards patient care and may extend to other areas of the hospital within the capabilities of a PCA. This role will have a rotation of shift patterns, including evening and weekend work.
The role will include but is not limited to:
Provide inpatient care under the direction of the clinicians and nursing team, such as exercising, feeding and grooming hospitalised patients.
Maintain patient accommodation, considering the condition and welfare of the patient, providing environmental enrichment and supportive aids as required.
Assist with surgical patient preparation, theatre support and recovery under the direction of the clinicians and RVNs.
Theatre maintenance including preparation and cleaning between surgeries.
Assisting with consultations, including patient restraint and medication handling, primarily within the ophthalmology service.
Assist with laboratory diagnostic techniques including use of in-house lab equipment to process samples and packaging for external laboratories.
Assist with stock management, primarily within the ophthalmology service.
About us:
London Vet Specialists originated as a boutique small animal referral centre in Belsize Park, North London and in May 2024, relocated to a new state-of-the-art site in Hammersmith, West London. The hospital boasts an incredible location on the banks of the river Thames, nestled within the bustling and thriving Hammersmith & Fulham neighbourhood. We now have a complete compliment of specialist-led services, including orthopaedic and soft-tissue surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology, anaesthesia & analgesia, oncology, cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, neurology & emergency and critical care.
What we offer:
London Vet Specialists 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 London Vet Specialists, Linnaeus or the role, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at careers@linnaeusgroup.co.uk.
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Salary Value: £27,000 per annum;
Salary Description: D.O.E;