Registered Veterinary Nurse (Ophthalmology Focus)

Posted:
9/12/2024, 2:52:21 AM

Location(s):
England, United Kingdom ⋅ London, England, United Kingdom

Experience Level(s):
Junior ⋅ Mid Level ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
Medical, Clinical & Veterinary

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: Registered Veterinary Nurse (Ophthalmology Focus) 

REPORTING TO: Head of Nursing Services 

START DATE: Winter 2024 

HOURS: Full-Time (40-Hours/Week)   

SALARY:  £32,000-36,000 DOE 

 

London Vet Specialists are recruiting for a Registered Veterinary Nurse with experience and interest in ophthalmology to join the team as an Ophthalmology-Focused RVN in our new referral centre in Hammersmith. It’s an exciting opportunity to join LVS as your input will help shape our growing ophthalmology serviceThe ideal candidate will be a veterinary nurse with experience working with a veterinary ophthalmologist. 

 

About Us 

London Vet Specialists originated as a boutique small animal referral centre in Belsize Park, North London 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, nestled within the bustling and thriving Hammersmith & Fulham neighbourhood. We now have a complete compliment of specialist-led services, including orthopaedic and soft-tissue surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology, anaesthesia & analgesia, cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, neurology & 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 Ophthalmology-Focused RVN will be responsible for working collaboratively with the Head of Nursing Services (HoNS), Lead Nurses and Clinicians across the hospital to ensure the efficient delivery of outstanding patient care, primarily within the ophthalmology service. Your responsibilities will include wards nursing and care, surgical preparation & theatre assistance, monitoring of sedation & anaesthesia, ophthalmic equipment maintenance & care, consultation assistance, medication preparation, stock management, client communication and nurse consultations. You will also assist with keeping accurate hospitalisation records in the SmartFlow system to ensure inpatients are appropriately managed during their hospitalisation and the screening of ophthalmology referrals 

 

As a focused role, we recognise and appreciate your area of special interest and so your work will be prioritised within the ophthalmology service; though you may be required to help in another area within the capabilities of an RVN when necessary. The ophthalmology service currently operates two days a week, and so this role will involve induction periods within wards, anaesthesia and theatre to understand the workflow of each area ahead of growing to a full-time service in early 2025. The LVS ophthalmology service is led by diplomate ophthalmologist Dr Vim Kumaratunga, supported by our team of multi-disciplinary interns, RVNs and patient care assistants. 

 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Provide a high and sustainable quality of patient care, primarily within the ophthalmology service.  

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

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

  • Assist with ophthalmology consultations and undertake nurse consultations as appropriate. 

  • Ensure accurate record keeping is undertaken, especially regarding anaesthetic and hospitalisation records in SmartFlow. 

  • Assist with stock management within your department and co-ordinate with the pharmacy & purchasing assistant. 

  • Work closely with the Patient Flow Coordinator and Lead Nurses 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.  

  • Take part in team reflections of incidents and near misses, to continually improve our patient care and safety, including Halo reporting. 

  • 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. 

  • 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. 

  • Take part in a range of team committees such as our Sustainability, Culture & Wellbeing or Dog/Cat-Friendly committees, to both explore areas of personal interest and help to shape our impact, culture and standards as a hospital. 

Benefits

  • 5 weeks Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays 

  • Additional Birthday Leave 

  • RCVS & VDS Fees Paid 

  • Enhanced Sickness Pay

  • Enhanced Equal Family Leave

  • Life Assurance 

  • Employer Contribution Pension Scheme

  • External CPD Funded

  • Extensive Free Online Linnaeus CPD Program

  • Career Progression Opportunities

  • Generous Staff Social Calendar 

  • 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 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]