If you are a current Linnaeus Associate, you will need to apply internally. In order to do this, please contact our Talent Acquisition team (details can be found via The Link) and someone will be in touch to discuss and progress your application.

Job Title: Theatre Focused Registered Veterinary Nurse

Salary: £28,000.00-£31,000.00 per annum D.O.E

Location: Dick White Referrals

Job Type: Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week Monday-Friday, plus participation in the OOH on-call rota.

DWR Veterinary Specialists (DWR) is one of the largest 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 non-clinical teams, are committed to providing the highest quality for pets and their owners. Many of our clinicians are nationally or internationally recognised specialists in their field and bring unique experiences to care for pets.

Develop your career with Dick White Referrals and be part of something special!

We are seeking passionate and enthusiastic Theatre Focused RVN to join our vibrant Theatre Team in our busy, purpose-built specialist veterinary hospital.

As a Theatre Focused RVN you would be involved in all aspects of patient care of our canine and feline patients throughout their surgical procedures including the monitoring of anaesthesia.

Role Overview

The Theatre Focused RVN will work collaboratively will all members of the theatre team and all services across the wider hospital to ensure the efficient delivery of outstanding patient to help maintain a happy and efficient working environment. Your responsibilities will include the provision of high standards of patient and client care, surgical preparation, theatre assistance & maintenance, the handling, maintenance & care of surgical equipment (including laparoscopy & fluoroscopy), assisting with diagnostic procedures, monitoring of sedation and anaesthesia, accurate record keeping.

As a focused role your will spend the majority of your time within theatre but would be expected to work within your capabilities as an RVN in other departments at DWR when required.

Previous referral experience would be desirable but is not essential as training will be provided.

The position is full-time with shifts falling between 8am and 7pm, the standard working pattern is 5 x 8 hour shifts per week but 4 x 10 hour shifts would also be considered. The OOH requirement is either an on-call pattern with an average of 1:9 weekends and weeknights with an associated bonus payment (£3000 per annum) or participation with the wards-based weekend rota which is a 1:4 pattern with TOIL provided. Bank Holiday cover is required for both set ups.

Your role and responsibilities

• Provision of a high and sustainable quality of patient care across all disciplines.
• 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.  
• Ensure the comfort and safety of patients undergoing investigations & hospitalisation. 
• Use and maintain sterilisation equipment following SOPs.
• Adhere to all protocols to ensure the safety of patients and personnel and to uphold infection control standards.
• Use and maintenance of diagnostic and surgical equipment.
• Support the surgeons during the procedures by perform the circulating and scrub nurse role.
• Preparing patients for their surgical procedures in a thorough but timely manner.
• Ensure accurate record keeping is undertaken, especially regarding anaesthetic and hospitalisation records. 
• Assist with stock management within your department and co-ordinate with the pharmacy & purchasing assistant. 
• Work closely with the Theatre co-ordinator and Anaesthesia to plan for the daily case load and highlight any issues or concerns that may arise.  
• Participate in team briefings and meetings to ensure effective and efficient communication. 
• Use Halo reporting to reflect on incidents or near misses where patient care can be improved. 
• Seek opportunities to maintain competence in all areas of nursing to ensure a strong level of general nursing capabilities are achieved. Where suitable take part in role swaps to preserve this competence. 
• Demonstrate an excellent work ethic and capability in all duties

• Clean, pack and sterilise surgical instruments, kits and sterile supplies.  

• Theatre maintenance including preparation and cleaning between procedures. 
• Support and training of other associates including PCAs and SVNs as they rotate through theatre.

Benefits

• 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays + Birthday Leave
• 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
• Wellness program including:
  • Employee assistance program
  • Eyecare voucher scheme
  • Free annual Flu jab
  • Cycle to work scheme
• Recruitment referral reward 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 Programme which is available for everyone.

If you would like to apply for this role, please click the Apply Button or for more information, please feel free to reach out directly to our Referral Nursing Talent Acquisition Business Partner – Becca Thompson at [email protected]

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.

Why Linnaeus?

-    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.

If you would like to apply for this role, please click the ‘Apply’ button or for more information or please reach out directly to our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]