JOB TITLE: Registered Veterinary Nurse (Surgery Focus) 

REPORTING TO: Lead Theatre RVN, Head of Nursing Services 

START DATE: Summer/ Autumn 2024 

SALARY: £32,000-£36,000 DOE 

London Vet Specialists are recruiting for an enthusiastic Registered Veterinary Nurse with an interest or experience in surgery to join the team as a Surgery-Focused RVN in our new hospital in Hammersmith. It’s an exciting opportunity to join LVS as your input will help shape the soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery services of our new multi-disciplinary referral centre.

Company Profile 

London Vet Specialists originated as a boutique small animal referral centre in Belsize Park and in May 2024, relocated to a new state-of-the-art site in Hammersmith, West London. The hospital boasts an incredible location on the banks of the river Thames and nestled within the bustling and thriving Hammersmith & Fulham neighbourhood. We now have a complete compliment of specialist-led services, including soft-tissue surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology, anaesthesia, cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, neurology, orthopaedic surgery & emergency and critical care.

Linnaeus is a forward-thinking partnership of highly respected primary care and referral veterinary practices across the UK and Ireland, comprising some of the best clinicians in the profession. Linnaeus invest in quality practices who put patient care at the heart of everything they do. Together we provide a growing community of like-minded veterinary professionals who are passionate about what they do. 

Role Overview 

The Surgery-Focused RVN will work collaboratively with the Head of Nursing Services (HoNS), Lead Nurses, Clinical Director and Clinicians across the hospital to ensure the efficient delivery of outstanding patient care within the soft tissue, orthopaedic & neurosurgery services. Your responsibilities will include the provision of high standards of patient and client care, surgical preparation, theatre assistance & maintenance, wards nursing, the handling, maintenance & care of surgical equipment (including laparoscopy & fluoroscopy), assisting with diagnostic procedures, monitoring of sedation and anaesthesia, accurate record keeping & effective communication and teamwork. You will work enthusiastically with the nursing team to help maintain a happy and efficient working environment. 

As a focused role, your work will be prioritised within the surgical theatres; though may be required to help in any area at LVS within the capabilities of an RVN when necessary. Your role will extend to include ward responsibilities as core rotations within the nursing team. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provision of a high and sustainable quality of patient care, primarily within the soft tissue, orthopaedic & neurosurgery services.  

• 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.    

• Prioritise surgery inpatient care and the implementation of nursing care plans. 

• Ensure the comfort and safety of patients undergoing investigations & hospitalisation. 

• As a cat-friendly clinic, you will support the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) cat-friendly standards across the hospital. 

• As a dog-friendly clinic, you will support the Dogs Trust and British Veterinary Behaviour Association (BVBA) dog-friendly standards across the hospital. 

• 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 Lead Nurses and HoNS 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. 

• Under the direction of the clinicians, contact and liaise with clients to provide/ receive patient updates.  

• Use VetSafe 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. 

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]