Senior Registered Veterinary Nurse - HDU & Wards

Hamilton Specialist Referrals; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A veterinary referral practice situated near High Wycombe seeks a Senior HDU & Wards Nurse. You will provide exceptional patient care across HDU and inpatient wards while maintaining high clinical standards. This full-time role involves leadership and mentorship of nursing staff, ensuring smooth communication, and supporting a positive team culture. The position offers a competitive salary of up to £37,500 along with extensive benefits including annual leave, private medical insurance, and opportunities for development.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave

Private medical insurance

Cycle to Work scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Relocation allowance

Qualifications

• Significant experience in referral or primary care settings, including HDU.
• Ability to effectively communicate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in leadership or senior nursing roles is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Deliver outstanding patient care across HDU and inpatient wards.
• Maintain high clinical and professional standards.
• Support nursing team and coordinate care.

Skills

Confident communicator

Organised and calm

Leadership

Passionate about patient care

Education

Registered Veterinary Nurse (RCVS)

Advanced nursing qualification

Job description

Hamilton Specialist Referrals are seeking a Senior HDU & Wards Nurse to become an integral part of our passionate, friendly team. If you are looking to take the next step in your career, and develop valuable leadership skills and experience, we would love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver outstanding patient care across HDU and inpatient wards
• Maintain high clinical, professional and welfare standards at all times
• Maintain accurate clinical records, support high standards of infection control, clinical governance and contribute to maintaining our wards and equipment to the highest standard
• Shared rotation with the HDU/Wards Clinical Team Leader
• Support and guide the nursing team to deliver outstanding patient care across HDU and inpatient wards
• Contribute to a positive team culture focused on professionalism, communication and clinical excellence
• Act as a central point of communication between the nursing team and referral clinicians, ensuring clear and effective information sharing
• Participate in and support clinician ward rounds, contributing nursing insight and ensuring treatment plans are implemented and monitored
• Coordinate and support the nursing team with breaks and lunch cover, maintaining continuity of care
• Work closely with the Workflow Coordinator to facilitate the acceptance of referral cases and optimise patient flow
• Liaise with the Patient Coordinator regarding admissions and discharges, supporting smooth transitions and excellent client communication
• Assist with prioritisation of cases in a high-acuity referral setting, escalating concerns appropriately
• Provide day-to-day leadership, mentorship and support to less experienced nurses, promoting development and confidence

Who we are looking for

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RCVS)
• Significant experience working within a referral, busy primary care or out of hours hospital, including HDU or inpatient ward settings
• Confident communicator with the ability to liaise effectively with clinicians, coordinators and multidisciplinary teams
• Organised, calm and adaptable, with strong situational awareness
• Passionate about delivering gold‑standard patient care and supporting team wellbeing
• Leadership or senior nursing experience is desirable
• Advanced nursing qualification would be advantageous

Location

Situated just outside of High Wycombe (J4, M40) Buckinghamshire, we deliver world‑class exemplary clinical services with a clear focus on the people that make that a reality. By nurturing our workforce we are able to offer the very best services to the pets entrusted into our care as well as to their owners.

Working pattern

This is a full time position across a 4 day working week, between the hours of 07:00 and 20:30 on a rota basis. There is a 1 in 6 weekend rota (Saturday and Sunday), and you would ordinarily work 1‑2 bank holidays per year.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary up to £37,500 DOE
• 6.6 weeks annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
• Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
• 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
• CPD allowance
• 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
• VDS cover
• RCVS fees
• Relocation allowance
• Pawsome Benefits – reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100’s of retailers
• Pension – 5% Employee/3% Employer
• Discounted staff pet care

Hamilton Specialist Referrals was born of the belief that there is room for a new wave of veterinary excellence across the UK. There is a strong focus on providing a personal and reassuring client experience from first contact through to discharge. Excellent clinical care delivered in a friendly and supportive manner to referring vets, is paramount to the team. The hospital is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is able to offer the most advanced treatment options available for orthopaedic, neurology, soft tissue, oncology and internal medicine cases.

Curating and developing a friendly, close‑knit team is a central part of our working environment. Further qualifications and certificates are encouraged and fully supported as we feel strongly about our employees' right to enjoy work and develop rewarding careers. We have a dedicated team of Specialists, RVNs, and a fantastic support teams.