Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

This is a fixed-term maternity cover position (9 months – 1 year) offering the chance to join a thriving small animal practice in a stunning purpose-built facility that opened in 2022. You’ll work 40 hours per week (but can be flexible) on a 1:5 weekend rota (Saturdays 8am–4:30pm, with the following Monday off), with shift patterns of either 8am–5pm or 10:30am–7:30pm—and the team is flexible about adjusting this to longer shifts over 4 days if that suits you better. Importantly, there’s no out-of-hours commitment.

The practice is conveniently located within walking distance of a gym, spa, coffee shop, grocery store, and a beautiful park, making work-life balance a genuine priority rather than just a catchphrase. You’ll be working in state-of-the-art facilities with a radiography suite and dedicated exotic ward, supporting a team that’s equally enthusiastic about orthopaedic cases and exotic patient care.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care across a small animal caseload, including orthopaedic and exotic cases
• Perform Schedule 3 procedures as part of the practice’s expanding nursing scope
• Conduct daily nurse consults and patient assessments
• Support the surgical and medical teams in a purpose-built operating theatre environment
• Contribute to projects and pursue new clinical skills with active encouragement from senior nurses
• Maintain high standards of patient care and record-keeping in a modern practice management system

Requirements

• Current RCVS registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Willingness to learn and develop new competencies
• Commitment to delivering excellent patient care

Benefits

• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and birthday day off
• Life Assurance: 4x salary
• Pension Scheme: 3% employer, 5% employee (salary sacrifice)
• Enhanced equal family leave and enhanced sickness policy
• Salary sacrifice schemes: e-cars and Cycle to Work
• Pet insurance discount
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• CPD allowance with allocated CPD days
• Over 150 hours of pre-recorded CPD delivered by expert clinicians and nurses
• Access to modular courses including AVA-accredited anaesthesia and analgesia training
• Robust induction programme tailored to your role
• Reduced gym membership (Pure Gym)
• Discount Platform (Benefits Hub)
• Eye Care Scheme and Annual Flu Voucher
• Headspace mental health app access
• Confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aider support available across the practice

About the Practice

Alder Veterinary Practice is an RCVS-accredited primary care facility based in Guildford, relocated to a purpose-built hospital in 2022. The practice is known for high standards of small animal care in a friendly, professional environment, with particular strengths in orthopaedic surgery and exotic medicine. The team is deeply committed to creating a collaborative, supportive culture where nurses are empowered to develop new skills and take on clinical projects.

Alder Vets is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. As part of this larger network, you’ll have access to specialist expertise, ongoing professional development, and a comprehensive wellbeing package designed to support your physical and mental health.