Registered Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal

Market Veterinary Centre, Barnstaple; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary practice in North Devon is seeking a dedicated Registered Veterinary Nurse to join their team. This role offers a varied and rewarding experience, with opportunities for professional growth and a supportive work environment. Benefits include competitive salary, generous leave, and CPD support.

Benefits

6 weeks annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

£550 CPD allowance

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted gym membership

Pension 5% Employee/3% Employer

Discounted staff pet care

Qualifications

• Registered Veterinary Nurse qualification.
• Proactive and enthusiastic attitude.
• Strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Inpatient care and theatre duties.
• Conduct nurse consultations.
• Participate in on-call rota and late-night checks.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Proactivity

Job description

We’re looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our fantastic team at Market Vets, working 30 hours per week over 4 days. This is a varied and rewarding role involving inpatient care, theatre duties, and nurse consultations.

We actively encourage our RVNs to fully utilise their skills, including Schedule 3 procedures. This is a great opportunity to join a supportive and experienced team where your skills and development are truly valued.

Weekday shifts vary, with the earliest start at 8:00am and the latest finish at 6:15pm. The current rota includes working 1 in 7 Saturdays from 8:30am to 5:00pm, with time off in lieu that week. You’ll also be part of the second on-call rota, covering 6:00pm to 7:00pm approximately once every 7 weeks. This comes with a paid retainer fee, call-out fee, and 1. 5x hourly rate for any time worked on-site. In addition, our nurses participate in late-night inpatient checks, currently 3 evenings in every 7 weeks, with appropriate compensation provided.

About us

We are a friendly, two-site mixed practice based in North Devon, just a short drive from Exmoor and the stunning North Devon beaches. Our practice boasts modern, well-equipped facilities and a diverse range of clinical interests among our team, including exotics and orthopaedics.

We strongly encourage our nurses to pursue their individual areas of interest, and many have gone on to achieve certificates in their chosen fields. Our equipment includes an in-house diagnostic laboratory, digital x-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, dental radiography, therapeutic laser (used in nurse-led clinics), and multiparameter monitors in theatre, enabling us to deliver high-quality, progressive care.

About the team and culture

Across our two sites, we have a mix of full- and part-time team members, including 14 vets, 14 nurses, 2 student nurses, and 11 members of our dedicated admin team. Our clinical staff bring a wealth of experience, with vets holding certificates in surgery and exotics, and nurses qualified in feline nursing, exotics, and anaesthesia.

We actively support and encourage individual interests that align with the goals and values of the practice, fostering a culture of professional growth.

We’re also proud to work closely with local charities, including our partnership with a local branch of Cats Protection.

What we are looking for

We’re looking for a Registered Veterinary Nurse who is proactive, enthusiastic, and approachable. The ideal candidate will be a strong team player who thrives in a collaborative environment but is also confident working independently and using their own initiative.

A positive attitude, excellent communication skills, and a genuine passion for patient care are essential. If you're someone who enjoys a varied role and is keen to contribute to a supportive and forward-thinking team, we’d love to hear from you.

Because our employees matter

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from -

Work-life balance

*6 weeks annual leave

*Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service

*Your birthday as a paid day off

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 22.5 hours paid pro rata

*Certificate support

*Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy

*Access to Vetlexicon - our online encyclopaedia 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

Up to £23,181 pro rata DOE