Animal Care Assistant - Small Animal

Rathcoole Veterinary Clinic

Full-time, Permanent

Salary from €14.50+ per hour DOE

Animal Care Assistant with a Clear Career Path to Veterinary Nurse

Do you love animal care and want a role that offers real long‑term progression? Rathcoole Vets is a welcoming, close‑knit small animal practice in South Dublin, and we are excited to welcome an experienced Animal Care Assistant to our team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who already has solid ACA experience and would love to build a career in veterinary nursing, with full support, mentoring, and funded education.

We are passionate about developing our people and, for the right candidate, this role offers a clear, supported route into Veterinary Nurse training through the part‑time course in Athlone.

The Role

As an Animal Care Assistant at Rathcoole Vets, you will play a key role in the day‑to‑day running of the practice and in the comfort and wellbeing of our patients. This is a hands‑on role where you will support the veterinary team while also helping to create a calm, clean, and caring environment for pets and their owners.

Your responsibilities will include caring for in‑patients, maintaining excellent hygiene standards throughout the clinic, assisting the veterinary team in treatment areas, and supporting front‑of‑house duties such as welcoming clients, answering phones, and booking appointments. You will be an important and trusted presence in the practice, helping everything run smoothly.

Career Progression: From Animal Care Assistant to Veterinary Nurse

This role has been created with career development firmly in mind. To be eligible for progression into the part‑time Veterinary Nursing course in Athlone, candidates must already have a minimum of a couple of years’ experience working as an Animal Care Assistant.

For candidates who meet this requirement and demonstrate the right attitude, commitment, and aptitude, we are delighted to offer fully funded Veterinary Nurse education alongside continued employment and on‑the‑job training. This is a genuine opportunity to progress from ACA to Veterinary Nurse within a supportive and experienced team.

Working Hours & Rota Pattern

We offer a consistent, well‑structured rota that supports work‑life balance:

You will work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 6pm, with Wednesdays off every week. On Saturdays, hours are 9am to 2pm.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who is:

*Passionate about animal welfare and patient care

*Calm, compassionate, and professional — even in emotional situations

*Reliable, trustworthy, and a strong team player

*Organised, tidy, and proud of maintaining high standards

*Confident communicating with both clients and colleagues

Qualifications & Experience

*A QQI or similar qualification in Animal Care

*Previous experience in animal care or a veterinary setting is highly desirable

*An interest in progressing to Veterinary Nursing is a huge plus

About Rathcoole Veterinary Clinic

Rathcoole Vets is a busy first‑opinion small animal practice based in South Dublin. We provide modern, high‑quality veterinary care using up‑to‑date equipment including digital radiography, ultrasound, and a fully equipped in‑house laboratory.

We are under new management and have a sister branch in Celbridge, Co Kildare offering further hospital support and referral work. Our Rathcoole team is friendly, supportive, and proud of the relaxed and positive working environment we have built.

Benefits (Subject to Pro Rata)

We offer a competitive salary along with great benefits, including:

*Leave: Annual Leave, Birthday Leave, Paid Maternity, Paternity, Bereavement, & Sick Leave

*Wellbeing: Cycle to Work Scheme, EAP Access, Free Flu Jabs, Discounts off popular retailers, & Access to Company Programmes (LGBTQ+, Wellbeing, etc.)

*Career Development: Career Progression, Leadership Academy, Paid Professional Memberships (VCI & VDS), Annual Pay Reviews

*Financial Support: Employer Pension Contributions, Discounted Staff Pet Veterinary Fees

Ready to Apply?

If you are an experienced Animal Care Assistant looking for a clear career pathway, funded education, and a genuinely supportive team, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now and take the next step towards a rewarding veterinary career.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are proud to be an inclusive and supportive employer. Please let us know if any reasonable adjustments are required throughout the recruitment process.

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€14.50 - €15.50 an hour

From €14.50+ per hour DOE

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Animal Care Assistant

Benefits

Job Description