Lead Surgical Registered Veterinary Nurse - Fixed Term Contract

Wicstun Vet Group; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary practice in Yorkshire is seeking a Lead Surgical Registered Veterinary Nurse on a fixed-term contract to focus on surgical procedures and leadership within the team. This role offers full-time hours with a varied caseload and opportunities for career development. The ideal candidate is an RVN with a passion for surgical nursing and a commitment to high-quality patient care. Benefits include enhanced family leave and wellness programs.

Benefits

5 weeks holiday + bank holidays

Additional paid day off for birthday

Enhanced sickness policy

Access to clinical and non-clinical development programmes

Social team culture with events

Qualifications

• At least 1 year post qualification experience as an RVN.
• Passionate about surgical nursing.
• Proactive and self-motivated individual.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare theatre suites and equipment.
• Manage a team of RVNs with varied caseloads.
• Ensure delivery of exceptional patient care.

Skills

Leadership experience

Surgical nursing knowledge

Excellent communication skills

Team spirit

Multi-tasking ability

Education

Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)

Job description

Job Title: Lead Surgical Registered Veterinary Nurse - Fixed Term Contract

Location: Wicstun Vets (Market Weighton, Yorkshire)

Job Type: 12 months Fixed Term Contract

Hours: Full time (40 hours/week), 4 day working week plus 1 in 6 Saturdays 8am-1pm.

Salary: Starting from £30,000/annum, depending on experience.

Wicstun Vets are seeking a Lead RVN with a desire to focus their leadership and knowledge on all aspects of surgical nursing, protocols, and procedures to ensure the highest standard of care is provided.

About the Role

This is a full time Fixed Term Contract position. The working hours are:

• 4 days per week with set day off
• 2 shifts/week of 8am-8om, and 2 shifts/week of 8am-5.30pm
• 1:6 Saturdays 8am-1pm

There is no requirement for out-of-hours cover or reception duties - allowing our nurses to focus on what they do best.

About You

• Is an RVN (with at least 1 year post qualification experience)
• Is passionate about all things surgical
• Preferably has previous leadership experience
• Is team spirited and passionate about quality care
• Has a love of working within an extremely varied and fast paced environment with a team of like-minded people
• Is proactive, enthusiastic, approachable, a great team player, able to use their own initiative and self‑motivated
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to multi‑task with a flexible approach to working are essential.

This role is suited for someone with a desire to provide exceptional care to patients with a passion for leadership. You would be part of our lead nurse team and responsible for line managing the team of nurses.

Our surgical team consists of surgical nurses, student veterinary nurses and patient care assistants who provide gold standard care to our surgical patients and work alongside all other departments within the hospital.

About the Practice

As one of the region’s leading veterinary hospitals, we combine the reassurance of round‑the‑clock care with a genuinely local touch. From the first phone call to the final follow‑up, you’ll find a team that’s calm under pressure, clear in their advice, and always ready with a kind word or a warm welcome.

Our hospital is equipped for everything from everyday vaccinations to complex surgery and emergency treatment. But it’s our personal approach that keeps people coming back year after year.

As the flagship site in the Wicstun Veterinary Group, our Market Weighton hospital is home to state‑of‑the‑art equipment and a compassionate team ready to support each pet’s need.

Culture & Support

• Regular CPD and learning opportunities
• Regular team meetings and communication
• Career development opportunities (including additional qualifications if desired)
• Social team culture with events, and post‑work catch‑ups.

Day-to-Day Duties

This is the perfect position for a Nurse looking to progress in all aspects of theatre‑based nursing.

This role includes:

• Preparation of theatre suites and equipment, preparing patients for surgery, imaging patients, working in both a theatre circulating nurse and anaesthesia nurse role
• Helping to facilitate the efficient and effective flow of patients through the theatre suites, whilst ensuring the delivery of exceptional care to patients
• Leadership and management of a team of RVN’s caring for a varied caseload within the surgical department.

You will be exposed to a range of anaesthesia and analgesia techniques, such as CRIs, nerve blocks and epidurals. You will have access to state‑of‑the‑art monitoring equipment and be trained in monitoring techniques including, blood pressure monitoring, capnography, ECG, and arterial blood gas analysis, to ensure our patients receive the highest level of care.

You will see a large and varied first opinion, referral and emergency caseload, working within an exceptional team and developing your career whilst being exposed to cases from all disciplines. This is a rewarding and challenging role that will require teamwork and dedication to the service and its patients.

Next Steps

If you're looking for a Lead RVN position where you can use all your surgical nursing skills, have your growth supported, and be part of a friendly team, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits

• 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays
• Additional paid day off to celebrate your birthday
• Enhanced equal family leave
• Enhanced sickness policy
• RCVS & VDS fees paid
• CPD allowance and allocated CPD days
• Access to an extensive range of clinical and non‑clinical learning and development programmes
• Progression & development opportunities
• Staff discount schemes
• Discounts with PetPlan
• Wellness program, including;

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Gym membership discount
• Cycle2Work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Flu vaccine voucher

• Recruitment reward scheme

At Linnaeus, we are committed to supporting the physical and mental health of all our Associates. We have an amazing team of Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) across our practices and central support office in addition to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme which is available for everyone. For more information, click here https://www.linnaeusgroup.co.uk/about-us/health-and-wellbeing

How to Apply

To apply, click "Apply Now" or contact Rebecca Coleman at [e-mail]

for more information or a confidential discussion.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Wicstun Veterinary Group 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 individuals 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 Wicstun Veterinary Group, Linnaeus or the role please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail]