Multi-disciplinary Registered Veterinary Nurse - Wards and Theatre

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

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, 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 vision, mission and values: DWR Vision & Mission.

A passionate and enthusiastic Multi‑disciplinary RVN will join our Wards and Theatre Nursing Team, working in a busy, purpose‑built practice fully equipped with surgical equipment and diagnostic facilities commensurate with a flagship specialist veterinary centre. The role will require 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 good communication and a high level of patient care.

Each day is different due to the large variety of cases we see and the role will include 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.

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

• 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…