Registered Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal

Overview

Registered Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal (12 Month Fixed Term Contract) – Irvine, Scotland

We’re seeking a compassionate and skilled veterinary nurse to join our team at Ivybank Vets, Irvine, on a full-time basis to cover maternity leave for 12 months.

You’ll work across two clinics, delivering a varied mix of surgical nursing—including anesthesia and kennel care for day surgical and hospitalised patients—and nurse-led consultations such as second vaccinations, post-operative checks, and nurse clinics.

Our nursing team is diverse, ranging from SVNs to experienced nurses with referral backgrounds and long-term general practice experience. Two of our branches are official training practices, providing excellent opportunities for professional growth. You’ll be supported by a friendly, multi-disciplinary team including 10 vets, 9 registered veterinary nurses, 2 student nurses, 3 animal care assistants, and reception staff who all work flexibly to ensure great patient care.

We pride ourselves on being generalists with special interests including ultrasound, medicine, wildlife care, emergency and critical care, anesthesia, and quality improvement. Our well-established reputation reflects our commitment to providing high standards of first-opinion medical and surgical care.

Our clinics are equipped with modern consulting rooms, surgical theatres, laboratories, radiography, and ultrasound equipment at the three larger branches, including patient warming devices like MPMs and air warmers to ensure comfort during procedures.

Our four clinics in Irvine, Kilwinning, Kilmarnock and West Kilbride are ideally positioned along Ayrshire’s stunning west coast, offering a unique mix of coastal beauty and countryside charm. Glasgow is just a short drive away for city amenities, dining, shopping, and entertainment. Living in Ayrshire provides a balanced lifestyle with peaceful surroundings and easy access to urban conveniences. The primary work location will be Irvine, with occasional travel to other branches.

You’ll join a supportive, multidisciplinary environment where experienced vets, nurses, and support staff work closely together to deliver exceptional care. You’ll have a varied caseload across medical, surgical, and nurse-led clinics, with access to well-equipped facilities and advanced diagnostics and surgical tools. We support ongoing professional development through regular sessions and all-staff meetings, with opportunities for training and specialist interests. Flexible working arrangements help sustain a healthy work-life balance.

The rota includes either 4 long days or 5 shorter days, Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, with 1 in 4 Saturdays.

We offer a competitive base salary up to £31,000 (dependent on experience) and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 6.8 weeks annual leave
• Birthday leave (additional leave)
• Enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay)
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted gym membership and wellbeing initiatives
• Research funding opportunities for Vets & Nurses
• Infection Prevention and Control Programme
• Quality Improvement Programme
• VDS cover and RCVS fees
• Pawsome Benefits with discounts and cashback
• Pension: 5% Employee / 3% Employer

£0 - £0 a year
Up to £31,000 per annum

Qualified and registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) or equivalent with relevant nursing experience. Experience across medical, surgical, and nurse-led duties is advantageous. A proactive and flexible approach to working across multiple clinics is preferred.

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at IVC Evidensia by 2x