Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service is one of the leading small animal referral centres in the world, having been delivering the highest possible standard of pet healthcare for over 30 years.
Our vision is to provide an unrivalled clinical, patient, client and team experience that is recognised for excellence across the world. Our values centre around the care of our patients, our clients, our referring vets, each other, and the environment to make a Better World for Pets.
Willows is widely known for delivery of CPD, and we strongly encourage all our associates to continually develop their skills and knowledge. We employ over 250 associates working as part of an outstanding multi-disciplinary team led by internationally renowned Specialists.
Our service teams include Orthopaedics, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Internal Medicine, Clinical Nutrition, Oncology, Soft Tissue Surgery, Cardiology, Dermatology, Emergency and Critical Care, Anaesthesia and Analgesia, Diagnostic Imaging and Physiotherapy.
Role overview
The role of the veterinary nurse is critical to the provision of high standards of client and patient care.
In this role you will be a key a member of the nursing team, working effectively with the patient flow team leader and multidisciplinary nursing team leader to nurture great team ethics whilst providing guidance and support to the junior nursing staff and animal care/kennel assistants.
The dental nurse will be responsible for maintaining dental equipment and stock levels within the room. Assisting the dental referral veterinary surgeon with procedures. Training students and other RVNs in the safe use of the specific dental equipment, as well as admitting and discharging dental patients.
You will work closely with all team members to ensure the smooth running of all clinical areas and kennels and will have clear communication lines with all other teams to ensure the practice is providing outstanding patient and client care.
Key responsibilities
- Undertake all general nursing duties within the practice and provide assistance to all veterinary surgeons when required. To be able to move between disciplines as needed.
- To carry out and be accountable for any specific tasks or responsibilities allocated by the MD team leader and HoNS.
- Ensure you are organised and well prepared for the cases coming into the practice and you provide support where necessary to cover low staffing periods.
- Administer treatment (e.g injections, medications, fluid therapy, dressings and euthanasia as directed) and dispense medication as instructed by the veterinary surgeon all in accordance with professional guidelines and practice policies.
- Ensure you keep accurate records with regards to medical records, anaesthetic sheets, hospitalisation forms etc.
- Care for all in-patients including pre-op care/medication, monitoring and recovery and post op care/medication.
- Ensure effective stock rotation/replenishment where applicable.
- Participate in any out of hours nursing rota as agreed on a shared rota system
- Support with reception duties where necessary, reporting on progress of in-patients to clients by telephone as needed.
- Participate in the cleaning and maintenance of the premises and animal areas and particularly the clinical areas with regular cleaning/routine care of all equipment to include the correct methods of sterilisation and reporting any faults or damage.
- Assist the practice with any marketing initiatives which may include occasional open evenings or open days.
- Understand health and safety risks and read all information supplied to ensure the correct use of anaesthetic machines and scavenger units, regular cleaning, maintenance and servicing of equipment etc.
- Familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety Policies and refer any concerns to the MD team leader or HoNS.
- Welcome and support any visiting veterinary surgeons, students and work experience employees to ensure safe methods of working.
- Attend regular meetings with the MD team leader and other employees to ensure you are working effectively and efficiently as a team.
- Participate in relevant CPD appropriate to your role plus any training in-house, ensuring post-training feedback forms are completed and where appropriate information is shared with team members.
- A minimum of 15 hours of CPD must be participated in each year. This is to be shared with Nursing Managers every six months.
This role is suitable for an RVN with at least 1 years post qualification experience. Additional relevant qualifications and/or previous experience in a referral setting are beneficial but not required. Full training and support will be provided.
Benefits
- RCVS and VDS fees paid
- 5 weeks holiday plus birthday leave
- BVNA membership paid
- External CPD funded
- Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD program
- Career progression opportunities
- Staff discount schemes
- Life Assurance
- Enhanced sickness pay
- Enhanced equal family leave
- E-car salary sacrifice scheme
- Employer contribution pension scheme
- Recruitment referral reward scheme
- Wellness program including:
- Employee assistance program
- Eyecare voucher scheme
- 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 Program which is available for everyone.
Why Linnaeus?
We are proud to be Linnaeus, part of Mars.
Linnaeus is a forward-thinking group of highly respected primary care and specialist referral practices in the UK and Ireland. Being family owned and part of Mars Veterinary Health, the largest veterinary company in the world, allows us to focus on advancing the veterinary profession to provide industry-leading pet care and unique career opportunities for our people.
- We pride ourselves in offering high-quality excellence of service and clinical care for our clients and their pets
- We lead on sustainability and collectively drive positive change for people, pets and the planet
- We prioritise your mental health and wellbeing – valuing equity, diversity and inclusion
- We support your personal and professional development with best-in-class career frameworks and training programmes. We will empower and support you to grow your career from day one.
We team up within our Mars family in partnership for a stronger future.
Linnaeus is an equal-opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We treat each other fairly and equitably and we are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse for all our Associates.
At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people.