Radioactive Iodine Nurse

Langford Vets; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A veterinary clinic in Bristol is seeking a part-time Registered Veterinary Nurse for their radioactive iodine service. The role involves organizing appointments, caring for cats, and assisting with treatment sessions. Ideal candidates will have at least 1 year of experience and be passionate about feline care. This position offers a competitive salary and generous benefits including 5 weeks of holiday and a pension scheme.

Benefits

5 weeks holiday per year

Cycle to work scheme

Annual CPD allowance

Employee discount

Generous pension scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year experience as a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
• Experience in referral practice is preferred.
• Interest in advancing qualifications is encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Organising radioiodine orders and scheduling appointments.
• Assisting with treatment sessions and caring for cats.
• Effective communication with caregivers and documenting clinical notes.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Handling and restraint of cats

Independently carry out nursing duties

Education

Registered Veterinary Nurse

RCVS Listed Veterinary Nurse or Nursing Degree

ISFM Certificate or Diploma in Feline Nursing

Advanced Diploma

Job description

We are seeking a part‑time RVN to work 30 hours per week within our radioactive iodine service at the world‑renowned Feline Centre at Langford Vets. Responsibilities will include organising orders, scheduling patient appointments, setting up for and assisting with treatment sessions, caring for cats in the radioiodine wards, caregiver communication, staff training and ensuring that waste disposal and Geiger‑counters are maintained in line with H&S policies. This is a part‑time role of 30 hours/week (hours divided daily over Monday‑Friday), working alongside the Feline Centre nurses, animal care assistants and RCVS Feline Medicine Specialists. The ideal candidate will have meticulous organisational and communication skills, along with a passion for working with cats and supporting caregivers.

Responsibilities

• Organise and book radioiodine orders, including collection of iodine on arrival, ensuring that health and safety regulations are complied at all times.
• Set up treatment wards and assist with treatment sessions, tracking patient progress on admission, organising sedation set‑ups, transferring patients and assisting with restraint of patients.
• Organise admission schedule, checking the diary and contacting caregivers to confirm appointment slots as appropriate.
• Assist with admission of patients for treatment sessions, communicating effectively with caregivers and following up during hospitalisation.
• Daily care of cats in the radioiodine wards assisted by animal care assistants or other veterinary nurses; manage hospital records.
• Effective communication with both caregivers and colleagues, giving regular updates regarding patients (including preparing an out‑of‑hours team update draft) and treatment plans.
• Assist with patient discharge appointments in liaison with primary veterinarian.
• Assist with management of the radioiodine referral bookings and advice email box.
• Perform weekly stocktakes and manage radioactive iodine waste storage and disposal, including maintenance of spill boxes.
• Assist with radioiodine safety and compliance measures, such as issuing RP3 certificates, audits, waste disposal and calibration/troubleshooting of Geiger‑counters.
• Provide necessary training to new and existing staff and maintain training records.
• Ensure that radioiodine wards are well‑maintained and well‑stocked.
• Ensure that cat‑friendly clinic principles are adopted throughout the SAH to enable the care of cats to the highest of standards.
• Independently carry out nursing duties such as monitoring sedations and anaesthesia, assisting with diagnostic procedures, in‑patient care, blood sampling, catheter placement, BP measurement, intravenous fluid therapy and nutritional tube feeding.
• Dispense and administer (under the direct supervision of a veterinary surgeon) medication to animals, maintain accurate stock control and follow all protocols relating to drug holding, dispensing and handling; give clear and accurate instructions to caregivers when dispensing medication.
• Assist with stock control, maintain working areas to a high standard and actively participate in Clinical Governance and Infection Control directives.
• Maintain accurate patient records with regards to all clinical notes, treatment, diagnoses, caregiver communication and caregiver/patient information.
• Ensure that all procedures and consumables are accurately entered onto the patients' records at all times during their stay.
• Support and assist with the clinical teaching of Veterinary and Veterinary Nursing Undergraduates.
• Maintain a good working relationship with all team members.
• Communicate in an effective and pleasant manner with caregivers and colleagues.
• Have a flexible approach to working pattern and be able to accommodate different hours/days of working with notice.
• Carry out all other reasonable duties as requested by the line manager.
• 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 1 year experience as a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
• Experience in referral practice.
• Able to carry out veterinary nursing duties as listed above.
• Advanced Diploma.
• Confidence and experience in effective handling and restraint of cats.
• ISFM Certificate or Diploma in Feline Nursing.
• Knowledge of cat‑friendly clinic.
• Clinical Coach.
• RCVS Listed Veterinary Nurse or Nursing Degree.
• Interest in advancing own qualifications if not already attained.
• Communicating effectively with caregivers.
• Confidence in promoting cat‑friendly clinic principles within the small animal hospital.
• Ability to work within a team.
• Ability to act independently.
• Flexible approach to work.

Benefits and Wellbeing

• 5 weeks holiday per year (plus bank holidays).
• Additional holiday entitlement for Long Service.
• On‑site Mental Well‑being Champions.
• EDI committee.
• Employee Forum to ensure all employees voices can be heard.
• Menopause Café.
• Well‑being talks and events.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Family‑friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity pay (after 2 years' service).
• SimplyHealth Cashplan membership.
• Free annual flu vaccination.
• Free Specsavers eye test voucher.
• 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.