Veterinary Nurse – Bristol

We are looking for a friendly, animal-loving RVN to join an exceptional and inspiring team in Bristol.

About You:

Are you an RVN who:

• Will hit the ground raring to go?
• Loves a busy and varied small animal case load perhaps with an area of interest which is crying out to be nurtured and developed?
• Places a high emphasis on client and patient care? This is why the practice is kitted out with equipment such as CT, digital x-ray, ultrasound, dental x-ray, tonometry, piped gases, multi-parameter monitoring, gas sterilization, Class IV laser, full laparoscopy tower which integrates with scopes, and much more
• Enjoys being part of a caring team inside and outside of work? They are a sociable bunch outside work and enjoy big Practice parties, but also lots of smaller informal nights out, dog walking get -togethers and even have a Strava running group! They really do look after each other and continually strive to create a better workplace with their efforts recognised by being awarded ‘highly commended’ in the last VMG/SPVS Wellness Practice Awards
• Has competent or advanced skills in inpatient care?
• Is comfortable with monitoring anaesthetics for dental, orthopaedic, routine or emergency surgeries?
• Sees doing your own out of hours service as an amazing opportunity for personal development, enjoyment of case continuity and giving the client/patient the numerous benefits of in-house emergency care?
• Can communicate with clarity and compassion?
• Has evidenced competence in undertaking a full range of Nurse Clinics and loves the challenges these present?
• Has an outstanding pet-side manner which means customers know the pet couldn’t be in safer hands?
• Has good knowledge and understanding of our feline friends, bunny buddies and canine companions? They have ISFM Gold Standard Cat Friendly Clinic, Silver RWAF Awards and as already mentioned are one of the first UK practices to gain Dog Friendly Clinic status
• Thrives in a conscientious yet flexible and friendly working environment?
• Wants proactive, supported career progression to develop those skills even more?
• Sees there is more to a job advert than a boring list of obvious stuff?
• Thinks sustainability is something we should all be tackling?
• Wants to share your knowledge and experience to train future RVNs and would enjoy being a clinical coach?
• Wants to work for an independent Practice whose owners are committed, enthusiastic and 100% involved in all areas of the business?

About the Role:

We are looking for a full time, experienced RVN for a varied role including inpatient care, procedures and nurse clinics.

Staff usually work at two of the Practices, but potentially all three sites when helping to cover holidays and sickness. This adds variety to the working week seeing different clients and working with a variety of colleagues. It also assists development of team spirit.

Ideally, we’re looking for 39 hours per week core hours Monday to Friday plus 1:6 weekend mornings. Individual rotas are very flexible, taking into account people’s outside commitments or interests. We will find a rota which both works for you and provides the cover needed. Maximum shift length is 10.5 hours, with a 30-minute paid lunch break. Some staff work 4 days a week (3 slightly longer days and one short one), others prefer a split over 5 days.

Commitment to clients and pets means providing them services out of hours with their own team, in their own premises and with access to their pet’s records. This is a huge benefit for clients and their pets, but they believe also for the team’s experience development. If you don’t want to undertake out of hours work, thanks for reading this far and we wish you luck with your search. Currently the nursing team undertake a 1:10 ratio of weeknights and weekends with the following Monday off (paid). You will be supported by amazing vet and nurse colleagues whose certificate level knowledge oozes from every corner of the Practice.

The Benefits: 

We know it isn’t all about working with cute puppies, kittens and geckos… Well maybe it is a little but don’t take our word for it –“One major selling point about working here (that I’m loving!!) is that the Leadership Team care about making sure we don’t overwork ourselves. From my experience, things like being able to leave on time, and as a vet getting time back in lieu when that’s not possible, are pretty unheard of elsewhere!” Vet Louise.

As a Real Living Wage Employer, they are committed to paying all staff a fair wage for their work.

RVN salary scale:

• Core hours £26,000-£31,000**
• Additional ‘being on call’ payment
• Additional on call working hours at bonus rate
• Additional overtime working hours at bonus rate
• All weekend hours at bonus rate

This means that your earning potential is far higher than the core hours figure **.

All roles are banded within a frequently reviewed, structured pay scale framework which considers experience and additional skills or qualifications. They promise to treat you like a human being rather than a payroll number. The other benefits provided to the team include:

• Generous staff discount
• Unlimited CPD budget – if the course is appropriate for you, and also benefits the Practice it’s a win/win!
• Holiday entitlement which increases with length of service
• Your Birthday off – leaving you to enjoy yourself however you want
• Bonus pay rate per hour for weekend hours, overtime, holiday or sickness cover.
• Monday off after weekend on call fully paid plus a protocol to allow time off after a busy week day on call
• Enhanced sick leave which also increases the longer you have worked here
• Employee Reward Provision and Medical benefits via Health Cash Plan
• Online GP and Employee Assistance Programme
• Scottish Widows Pension and access to free financial and mortgage advice
• RCVS fees, VDS cover and professional membership fees
• (Some people don’t like employers mentioning it but there are the refreshments, cakes, biscuits, ice creams, fruit, pizzas etc frequently! And the Christmas Party!)

About Them:

This is a proudly independent, award winning, three site Small Animal Practice based just to the south of Bristol in North Somerset. The team are dedicated, hard-working and fun-loving. They always pull together to provide the best care for patients and have a passionate vision to maintain a culture where individuals can flourish, excel, and lead the way within the profession.

You will be joining a thriving team of 62, who are the beating heart of this independent group. This allows flexibility with rota, and encouragement for personal development within a supportive environment. With an unlimited CPD budget, most of the clinical team have undertaken or are currently studying for additional qualifications from Certificates in more specialised areas to qualifying as Mental Health First Aiders. 3 vets are Advanced Practitioners and others have either completed or are on their way to completing certificates including medicine, imaging, surgery and exotics. Amongst their team of amazing nurses, they have nurses who have obtained additional certificate level qualifications or who have worked for them since undertaking work experience.  Front of House and Admin Teams are integral to their client service.

They have recently been awarded the renewal of Investors in the Environment Bronze Award and have implemented various sustainable initiatives as a result. They were one of the first Practices in the UK to achieve Dog Friendly Clinic status with BVA and the Dogs Trust before its official launch! Not to mention the accreditations for being cat and rabbit friendly.

The sites are spacious, fully equipped and purpose designed and built. With their own in-house rehabilitation service hydro.vet, incorporating a physiotherapy room with therapeutic laser,  hydrotherapy suite with underwater treadmill – they have big ambitions about where they’re going and who is going to get them there! Do you want to join them for the journey too?

Submit your CV and phone Mia on 01291 645871.