Registered Veterinary Nurse - Referral

British Veterinary Association; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary referral practice in the UK is seeking a passionate Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) to join their warm and supportive team. This full-time position offers opportunities to work with advanced diagnostic tools and a diverse caseload while providing exceptional patient care. The practice values professional growth with CPD allowances and well-being initiatives. Enjoy a work-life balance with 6.8 weeks of annual leave, birthday leave, and flexible working options available.

Benefits

6.8 weeks annual leave

Relocation allowance up to £3,000

Birthday as a paid day off

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Private medical insurance

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted gym membership

Pension scheme (5% Employee/3% Employer)

Discounted staff pet care

Qualifications

• Qualified RVN with a medicine-focused mindset and a desire to grow in a referral setting.
• Calm under pressure with a penchant for exceptional patient care.
• Experience in patient monitoring and medical nursing is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in investigation, treatment, and nursing care of medical cases.
• Utilise advanced facilities including ultrasound and CT to provide top-tier care.
• Support a multidisciplinary team in delivering compassionate patient services.

Skills

Patient monitoring

Sample collection

Compassionate care

Team collaboration

Education

Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)

Tools

Ultrasound

CT scanner

DR X-ray

Job description

Highland Vet Referrals, founded in 2022, is an exciting and rapidly growing referral practice delivering a wide range of specialist surgical and medical services across the stunning Highlands and Islands. We're on the lookout for a passionate RVN to join our warm, supportive team—backed by our dedicated VCAs—so you can focus on what matters most: providing exceptional care to our patients.

As a valued team member, you'll enjoy a dynamic and fulfilling role where every day brings new challenges and opportunities. Join us to take your nursing career to the next level in a vibrant environment where your skills make a real difference to pets and the families who love them.

A look at our caseload

Orthopaedics and Soft Tissue Surgery:

Caring for patients undergoing anything from routine lump removals to complex orthopaedic, soft tissue, and spinal surgeries. You will work closely with our experienced surgeon and play a vital role in ensuring the highest standards of patient care throughout their surgical journey.

Internal Medicine:

Assisting our Medicine Vet with a diverse range of non-surgical cases, making use of our advanced diagnostic facilities, including ultrasound, CT, and endoscopy.

Dermatology:

In addition, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside our visiting European Specialist Dermatologist, gaining hands‑on experience in dermatological procedures such as intradermal allergy testing, skin scrapes, and blood tests.

Pain Management:

Supporting our Pain Management Vet, who works closely with owners to tailor treatment plans using tools such as acupuncture, medication, and home environment adaptations to maximise patient comfort.

An overview of your new role

• Work closely with our Medicine Vet to assist in the investigation, treatment and nursing care of a wide range of medical cases.
• Utilise our advanced diagnostic facilities – including ultrasound, CT and endoscopy – to deliver the highest standards of care.
• Provide exceptional, compassionate support to patients and clients throughout their diagnostic and treatment journey.
• Be part of a small, collaborative, multidisciplinary referral team where learning and professional development are encouraged every day.
• While this role is primarily focused on medicine, you'll also contribute to the care of surgical and other referral cases as part of our multidisciplinary team.

Why join us?

Work in an environment where your compassion and nursing skills make a genuine difference every day and be part of a warm, supportive team that truly values you and the work you do.

We welcome RVNs of all backgrounds and experience levels to apply – if this is your first step into a referral practice, this is a great opportunity to grow your confidence and skills while being supported to reach your professional goals.

You'll also have the opportunity to work with the latest tech including onsite CT, ultrasound, Scoping, DR X-ray, a full IDEXX lab suite with EPOC, and in‑house coagulation testing – giving you the tools to provide top‑tier care.

To make the move easy for you we offer a generous relocation allowance, and we will welcome you with a £2000 bonus.

Who you are…

• A qualified RVN with a medicine‑focused mindset and a desire to grow your skills in a referral setting.
• Confident in‑patient monitoring, sample collection and medical nursing, or eager to develop in these areas.
• You remain calm under pressure and are compassionate and empathetic.
• A team player with the desire to provide a high level of patient care.
• Whilst referral experience is advantageous, we will welcome applications from confident RVNs from first‑opinion practice who have the desire to learn and excel in referral practice.

Life in Inverness

The Capital of the Highlands, Inverness offers a lively urban lifestyle with cafés, restaurants, live music, and the renowned Eden Court venue. If you like the outdoors there is a huge variety of activities: hill walking, wild swimming, mountain biking, paddleboarding in lochs and rivers. Escape from the hustle and embrace what our stunning local area has to offer! In addition, Inverness is family friendly boasting great schools, many parks, a good leisure centre, and an ice rink.

Working hours and flexibility

The full‑time role is a 40‑hour, Monday to Friday position with no out of hours duties. Shifts will fall within the practice opening hours of 07:30‑20:30 and we are happy to discuss options for a 4‑ or 5‑day working week at your preference. Our overnight care is provided by Highland Vet Emergencies within the same building, no transferring patients, offering continual care. We can be flexible on working patterns and are open to part‑time arrangements too.

Because our employees matter

Work‑life balance

• 6.8 weeks annual leave
• Your birthday as a paid day off
• Relocation allowance up to £3,000

Wellbeing

• Enhanced family‑friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Private medical insurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing, including discounted gym membership
• Non‑accidental injury support

Development

• £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid pro‑rata
• Certificate support
• Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Access to Vetlexicon – our online encyclopedia provider
• All our vets & nurses can apply for research funding
• Infection prevention and control programme
• Quality improvement programme

Professional memberships

• VDS cover
• RCVS fees

Additional

• Pawsome benefits – reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100's of retailers
• Pension – 5% Employee/3% Employer
• Discounted staff pet care