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Overall purpose:

This is a fantastic opportunity for a dedicated, enthusiastic and customer-focused Veterinary Nurse to join our friendly team at our state-of-the-art Nottingham surgery. This role is on a fixed term contract, working a twilight shift pattern Monday-Thursday 2pm-11pm (full time) or with a later start (part time), with a view to developing into a permanent position.

You’ll be a key member of our surgery’s team, assisting our veterinary surgeons in delivering excellence in clinical care and customer service. You’ll assist in delivering preventive services, treating sick and injured pets and be able to demonstrate a real passion for promoting pet wellbeing. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable small animal and emergency surgery experience.

You'll work alongside our new Head Nurse (role currently being recruited for) and with our well-established nursing team, as well as our new Head Vet (starting Feb 2023) and our team of 4 Veterinary Surgeons (including one Senior Vet).

There's no expectation to work nights but we're ideally looking for someone who would be happy to be on-call to complete checks when we do have inpatients requiring support. Comfortable on-site accommodation is available to use as and when required.

About us:

We’re part of the UK’s largest, independent, family-owned veterinary group with a nationwide presence. We offer exceptional care in the local communities we serve, helping pets to live long, happy and healthy lives with their families.

Our state-of-the-art surgeries are purpose-built, light and spacious and equipped with the latest technology. We’re committed to creating an environment that offers exceptional clinical care and where our colleagues love to work, our patients are calm and our customers feel assured.

We’re continually investing in developing our growing team and there's never been a better time to join us! To attract and retain the best talent in the sector, we offer market-leading salaries and an extensive range of benefits.

About the role:

You will provide first class care to patients and exceptional, 5-star service to our clients.

You will assist our Veterinary Surgeon(s) and the wider clinical team in the day-to-day clinical duties and organisation of the practice with an emphasis on providing a warm, memorable and personal client experience.

This will include:

• Administering first class nursing care – monitoring the progress of the patient and being able to prioritise first aid actions to stabilise and prevent further discomfort.
• Ensuring exemplary standards of patient care – preparing and cleaning patient accommodation in accordance with the needs of the patient and local policy, making sure the patient is safe, secure and clean, monitoring and recording of the patient’s condition.
• Demonstrating expert knowledge – offering clear and concise advice about pet health plans, assisting and supporting clients when caring for their pets.
• Diagnostics – assisting the veterinary surgeon in laboratory diagnostic testing - taking samples as necessary, storing and preserving in the appropriate manner and completing documentation.
• Radiography – preparing radiography equipment, identifying the areas to be imaged and recording results according to practice procedures.
• Hygiene excellence – in line with regulations and guidelines, maintaining the surgical environment and equipment and implementing infection control measures.
• Surgical assistance – assisting the veterinary surgeon during surgical procedures, providing appropriate equipment and materials, operation of surgical equipment as appropriate.
• Anaesthesia – confirming the patient’s condition and the anaesthetic procedure to be administered, performing pre-anaesthetic checks as appropriate and monitoring of the patients throughout the procedure.
• Medication – calculating and administering medication to patients, always maintaining accurate records, dispensing (if you have SQP status).

Duties and responsibilities

People

• Clinical coaching of Student Veterinary Nurses, as appropriate:

  • On at least 2 days per week with each student

  • Weekly tutorials and time allocated to discuss NPL and set targets etc

  • Allocated observation time daily

• Collaborating in a positive and professional manner with the whole surgery team to deliver best patient care whilst adhering to The Vet practice procedures
• Taking direction from and liaising with the Senior Veterinary Nurse
• Demonstrating flexibility to share daily tasks and responsibilities among the veterinary team

Operations

• Undertaking nurse clinics
• Undertaking nursing duties including theatre, laboratory, radiography, inpatient care, nurse consultations, euthanasia duties, monitoring patients, nurse care nights and assisting Veterinary Surgeons according to the Practice Procedures Manual
• Preparing theatres and preparation areas to enable efficient turnaround of procedures
• Undertaking reception duties, when required
• Booking appointments
• Processing payments
• Answering telephone calls
• Dispensing medication as applicable
• Pricing up of routine procedures
• Ordering stock and consumables, ensuring they are correctly stored and participating in monthly stock takes
• Taking care of surgery and laboratory equipment
• Maintaining a clean, hygienic and safe practice and building
• Cleaning floors and surfaces
• Washing and drying animal bedding
• Washing and sterilising surgical instruments
• Cleaning and maintaining dog wards, cat wards and isolation unit
• Reporting of any damage
• Adhering to The Vet Practice Procedures Manual, Standard Operating Procedures and Standard Forms
• Maintaining timely, accurate and up to date clinical notes, monitoring checks and anaesthetic forms for each patient

Customer

• Leading by example by consistently demonstrating a caring, professional attitude to clients, patients and the surgery team
• Communicating promptly and effectively with clients regarding progress of investigations, treatment and follow-up care
• Ensuring that inpatients receive the appropriate clinical care and an effective handover is conducted between colleagues and/or out of hours providers

Strategic Activity

• Supporting the Senior Staff and Leadership Team in promoting the strategic plan and the values of The Vet
• Demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement
• Special projects as agreed with the Managing Director

KPIs

% ‘Red’, ‘Amber’ and ‘Green’ audits on:

• Clinical notes
• Nurse consults
• Surgery audits
• X-ray quality
• Anaesthetic forms
• Customer complaints
• Value of monthly nurse reward scheme

Behaviours

The role requires flexibility and the willingness to provide cover for absences, if required, which may include working at other The Vet surgeries.

The role requires a commitment to proactively developing own skills whilst completing CPD as defined by The Vet and The Royal Veterinary College requirements.

The Registered Veterinary Nurse must adhere to health & safety guidelines.

There is a requirement for the role to encompass other reasonable duties as required.

This role requires strong communication, team working, attention to detail and time management skills. The post holder must demonstrate empathy, kindness and compassion, whilst also being calm and confident under pressure.

Working conditions

The role is based in a fast-paced environment. This is a physically demanding role and will require the individual to be on their feet for the majority of the shift.

Adherence to the Royal Veterinary College Code of Professional Conduct must be maintained.

Direct reports

None