Multi-disciplinary Registered Veterinary Nurse - Wards

Job Title: Multi-disciplinary RVN – Wards/Theatre

Salary: £28,500-£32,000 per annum DOE + on-call bonus

Location: Newmarket, Cambridge

Job Type: Permanent or Fixed Term

Hours: 40 hours per week, 5 x 8 hour shifts

About us

Dick White Referrals (DWR) is one of the largest specialist multi-disciplinary veterinary referral centres in Europe, offering outstanding levels of clinical care in state-of-the-art facilities.

Our dedicated vets, nurses and nursing assistants, supported by the client care teams

teams, are committed to providing the highest quality surgical and medical care

for pets. Many of our clinicians are nationally or internationally recognised specialists in their field and bring unique experiences to care for pets.

We accept referrals in Anaesthesia, Cardiology, Dermatology, Diagnostic Imaging, Emergency and Critical Care, Internal Medicine Neurology and Neurosurgery, Oncology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Physiotherapy and Soft Tissue Surgery.

We have comprehensive and established clinical and non-clinical programmes for training, development and CPD.

Visit this page to read about our vison, mission and values. https://www.dickwhitereferrals.com/about-us/our-vision-mission-and-values/

Your role and responsibilities

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate and enthusiastic Multi-disciplinary RVN to join our Wards and Theatre Nursing Team, working in our busy, purpose-built practice that is fully equipped with the surgical equipment and diagnostic facilities commensurate with a flagship specialist veterinary centre. The role will require you to work alternate weeks in both wards and theatre.

During wards rotation the ward nurses are responsible for providing wards-based nursing care to our inpatients across all wards and disciplines, working day to day in small teams to ensure there is always good communication in the ward, and a high level of patient care. Each day is different due to the large variety of cases we see and the role will including nursing of canine and feline patients across all disciplines, including but not limited to Surgery, Neurology, Feline, Ophthalmology, Medicine, Oncology, Cardiology and Dermatology. During theatre rotations, theatre nurses responsibilities include monitoring of sedation and anaesthesia, surgical preparation, theatre assistance and maintenance, the handling and care of surgical equipment (including laparoscopy & fluoroscopy), assisting with diagnostic procedures and accurate record keeping.

Our nurses take pride in providing excellent patient care, nursing at DWR is demanding and it can be busy, but it is an incredibly rewarding job!

This position offers the opportunity to utelise a variety of nursing skills. The role will equally suit an RVN that is new to referral, or an experienced RVN with a keen interest in both inpatient care and theatre based nursing, who enjoys a fast-paced environment and varied role. The suitable candidate should be willing to learn and develop their knowledge in a referral setting, previous referral experience is not essential and newly qualified RVNs will be considered. Training will be provided in both areas and there is opportunity to progress onto ECC wards rotations once training is complete. Further future opportunities are available to be a Clinical Supervisor/Mentor, Buddy or to take on a Championship role.    

Job Purpose:

Provide excellent animal care by carrying out veterinary nursing duties in line with the appropriate standard operating procedures and policies.

Key accountabilities

• Undertake nursing duties in both a wards and theatre based setting. 
• Administer treatment and medications as prescribed by the MRCVS.
• Caring for, and appropriate monitoring of in-patients including some critical care and infectious patients.
• Admitting patients from the MRCVS within our purpose-built inpatient hub.
• Independently carry out nursing duties such as patient handling and restraint, taking blood samples, placing Intravenous Catheters, handling and using Feeding Tubes and Chest Drains. The placing, handling and maintenance of Urinary Catheters.
• Accurate calculation and administration of a variety of drugs in various forms.
• Dispensing drugs in accordance with professional guidelines and practice policy.
• 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.  
• Monitoring and support of patients under general anaesthesia and sedation for a range of procedures and conditions.
• Nursing care of patients pre and post procedures and GA/sedations including recovery.
• Maintain up to date and accurate clinical records including invoicing of provided care, anaesthetic and hospitilisation records.
• To participate in wards rounds, team meetings and briefings with colleagues and communicate clearly and professionally.
• Assist with stock management within your department.
• Use and maintain sterilisation equipment following SOPs.
• Use and maintainance of diagnostic and surgical equipment.
• Undertake continuing professional and personal development associated with the role, including required in-house training.
• Support the surgeons during the procedures by performing the circulating and scrub nurse role.
• Preparing patients for surgical procedures in a thorough but timely manner.
• Assisting colleagues as required including PCAs and SVNs
• Comply with the requirements of Health & Safety, other relevant legislation and DWR policies
• Carry out any other reasonable duties within the overall function of the role, occasional work in other areas might be required in line with practice needs.

Please note this is a full-time position, working on a rota of 40 hours per week between the hours of 06:30 and 19:00, Monday to Friday with participation in the theatre on-call rota, to include evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Education

• Essential
  • Registered Veterinary Nurse
• Preferred
  • Dip AVN
  • ECC
  • Veterinary Technician Specialist

Experience

• Essential
  • Previous Veterinary Nursing experience
• Preferred
  • Referral Nursing experience

Skills & Knowledge

• Essential
  • IT literate
  • Highly organised with the ability to multitask
  • Manage time and workload effectively
  • Able to deal with multiple stakeholders at all levels
  • Confident, effective communicator who is able to build rapport quickly

Personal Attributes

• Excellent all-round nursing skills
• Passion for delivering outstanding client and patient care
• A team player who enjoys working in a supportive working environment
• Able to use initiative and challenge the status quo
• Enthusiastic, positive and determined
• Articulate and confident
• Desire to progress and expand your knowledge and skills further

Benefits

• Organised in-house CPD 
• Dedicated CPD allowance
• Pension
• Generous leave allowance
• Access to Private Medical cover
• Personal Health Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Childcare Vouchers
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Enhanced equal family leave 
• Enhanced sick leave

About us

Dick White Referrals (DWR) is one of the largest specialist multi-disciplinary veterinary referral centres in Europe, offering outstanding levels of clinical care in state-of-the-art facilities.

Our dedicated vets, nurses and nursing assistants, supported by the client care teams, are committed to providing the highest quality surgical and medical care for pets. Many of our clinicians are nationally or internationally recognised specialists in their field and bring unique experiences to care for pets.

We accept referrals in Anaesthesia, Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Dermatology, Diagnostic Imaging, Emergency and Critical Care, Internal Medicine Neurology and Neurosurgery, Oncology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Physiotherapy and Soft Tissue Surgery.

We have comprehensive and established clinical and non-clinical programmes for training, development and CPD.

Visit this page to read about our vison, mission and values. https://www.dickwhitereferrals.com/about-us/our-vision-mission-and-values/

At Linnaeus, we are committed to supporting all our associates' physical and mental health. 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.

How to Apply
To apply, click "Apply Now" or contact Purvi Kataria at

Purvi.Kataria@linnaeusgroup.co.uk for more information or a confidential discussion.

At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6000 strong and empowered to speak up, step up and deliver quality services. You’ll have access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities and an easily accessible, comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best – care for pets.  ​

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We are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse, we care about you and want you to be authentic, with everything you need to perform at your best. We are all individual but two important things bring us together: a commitment to excellence and our passion to achieve our purpose. ​

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All applications with the relevant skills and qualifications will be carefully considered. If you need any support in completing your application or simply want to find out more about Alder Vets, Linnaeus or the role please contact our Talent Acquisition team at  Purvi.Kataria@linnaeusgroup.co.uk

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