Registered Veterinary Nurse (Surgery Focus)

Linnaeus Group; London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary referral centre in London is seeking a Registered Veterinary Nurse focused on surgery to join their dynamic team. This role involves providing exceptional patient care, assisting in surgical procedures, and maintaining high standards of hygiene. The position offers training opportunities and a supportive working environment, making it ideal for those passionate about veterinary nursing.

Benefits

5 weeks Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays

Additional Birthday Leave

RCVS & VDS Fees Paid

Enhanced Sickness Pay

Life Assurance

Employer Contribution Pension Scheme

Free Annual Flu Jab

Cycle-to-Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Registered Veterinary Nurse with an interest in surgical nursing.
• Experience in soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery preferred but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality patient care in surgical services.
• Assist in surgical procedures and monitor anaesthesia.
• Maintain surgical instruments and ensure infection control.

Skills

Patient care

Surgical preparation

Theatre assistance

Anaesthesia monitoring

Infection control

Education

Registered Veterinary Nurse qualification

Job description

JOB TITLE: Registered Veterinary Nurse (Surgery Focus)

REPORTING TO: Lead Theatre RVN, Head of Nursing Services

START DATE: Summer 2025

HOURS: Full-Time (40-Hours/Week)

SALARY: £32,000-£36,000 DOE

London Vet Specialists are seeking a Registered Veterinary Nurse with an interest or experience in surgical nursing to join the team as a Surgery-Focused RVN in our new referral centre in Hammersmith. It’s an exciting opportunity to join LVS as your input will help develop the soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery services of our new multi-disciplinary site. Previous referral experience is not essential as training will be provided.

Company Profile

London Vet Specialists originated as a boutique small animal referral centre in Belsize Park and in May 2024, relocated to a new state-of-the-art site in Hammersmith, West London. The hospital boasts an incredible location on the banks of the river Thames and nestled within the bustling and thriving Hammersmith & Fulham neighbourhood. We now have a complete compliment of specialist-led services, including soft-tissue surgery, internal medicine, oncology, ophthalmology, anaesthesia, cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, neurology, orthopaedic surgery & emergency and critical care.

Linnaeus is a forward-thinking partnership of highly respected primary care and referral veterinary practices across the UK and Ireland, comprising some of the best clinicians in the profession. Linnaeus invest in quality practices who put patient care at the heart of everything they do. Together we provide a growing community of like-minded veterinary professionals who are passionate about what they do.

Role Overview

The Surgery-Focused RVN will work collaboratively with the Head of Nursing Services (HoNS), Lead Nurses and Clinicians across the hospital to ensure the efficient delivery of outstanding patient care within the soft tissue & orthopaedic surgery services, though you will also have the opportunity to be involved in and facilitate ophthalmic surgery, neurosurgery and interventional cardiology procedures. Your responsibilities will include the provision of high standards of patient and client care, surgical preparation, theatre assistance, monitoring of sedation and anaesthesia, wards nursing, the handling, maintenance & care of surgical equipment (including laparoscopy, arthroscopy & fluoroscopy), assisting with diagnostic procedures, nurse consultation, accurate record keeping & effective communication and teamwork. You will work enthusiastically with the nursing team to help maintain a happy and efficient working environment.

The surgery-focused role is a blend of theatre support (circulating and scrub nurse), anaesthesia monitoring, diagnostics assistance, wards nursing, consultation and client care to encompass all aspects of surgical nursing, though a preference for theatre can be accommodated. As a focused role, your work will be prioritised within the surgery discipline; though may be required to help in another area at LVS within the capabilities of an RVN when necessary.

Our surgery team consists of Head of Soft Tissue Surgery Dr Janet McClaran and Head of Orthopaedic Surgery Dr Kiki Tarvin, our Lead Theatre RVN Nico, surgery RVN Jodie, anaesthesia RVN Florence, theatre technician Rina and supported by our interns and multi-disciplinary RVN & PCA teams. Training will be provided, including our fortnightly in-house nurse club for your continued learning and development.

Key Responsibilities

• Provision of a high and sustainable quality of patient care, primarily within the soft tissue, orthopaedic, ophthalmic& neurology surgery services.
• Demonstrate an excellent work ethic and capability in all nursing duties, including a high level of hygiene and the ability to recognise and undertake relevant actions with regards to infection control.
• Prioritise surgery inpatient care and the implementation of nursing care plans.
• Ensure the comfort and safety of patients undergoing investigations, surgery & hospitalisation.
• Maintenance and care of surgical instruments, kits and sterile supplies.
• Ensure accurate record keeping is undertaken, especially regarding anaesthetic and hospitalisation records in SmartFlow.
• Assist with stock management within your department and co-ordinate with the pharmacy & purchasing assistant.
• Work closely with the Lead Nurses and HoNS to plan for the daily case load and highlight any issues or concerns that may arise.
• Participate in team briefings and meetings to ensure effective and efficient communication.
• Take part in team reflections of incidents and near misses, to continually improve our patient care and safety, including Halo reporting.
• As a cat-friendly clinic, you will support the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) cat-friendly standards across the hospital.
• As a dog-friendly clinic, you will support the Dogs Trust and British Veterinary Behaviour Association (BVBA) dog-friendly standards across the hospital.
• Seek opportunities to maintain competence in all areas of nursing to ensure a strong level of general nursing capabilities are achieved. Where suitable take part in role swaps to preserve this competence.
• Take part in a range of team committees such as our Sustainability, Culture & Wellbeing or Dog/Cat-Friendly committees, to explore areas of personal interest and help to shape our impact, culture and standards as a hospital.

Benefits

• 5 weeksAnnual Leave plus BankHolidays
• Additional Birthday Leave
• RCVS & VDSFeesPaid
• EnhancedSicknessPay
• EnhancedEqualFamilyLeave
• Life Assurance
• EmployerContributionPensionScheme
• External CPDFunded
• ExtensiveFreeOnline Linnaeus CPDProgram
• CareerProgressionOpportunities
• Generous Staff Social Calendar
• EmployeeAssistanceProgram?
• EyecareVoucherScheme
• Free Annual Flu Jab
• Cycle-to-Work 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.

If you would like to apply for this role, please click the Apply Button or for more information, please feel free to reach out directly to our Referral Nursing Talent Acquisition Business Partner – Becca Thompson at

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