Registered Veterinary Nurse – Small Animal

About the Role

This is your chance to join a dynamic small animal and exotic practice where every shift brings variety and meaningful patient care. You’ll work across admits, surgical assistance, anaesthesia, inpatient care, nurse clinics, pharmacy, ward duties, and client consultations—all with a team that prioritises collaboration over chaos. The role spans 40 hours across four days per week (Monday to Friday), plus a manageable 1:5 weekend rota, giving you genuine time to recharge.

Based at two locations—Chorlton (home to the avian and exotic referral clinic) and Sale—you’ll encounter patients of all shapes and sizes. The practice has built its reputation on honest advice, high clinical standards, and absolutely no target-driven culture. If you’re passionate about delivering compassionate care while developing your skills across multiple species, this is the place for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Patient admits and discharges across the small animal and exotic caseload
• Assisting veterinary surgeons in surgical procedures and anaesthesia management
• Delivering inpatient nursing care and monitoring recovery
• Running dedicated nurse clinics and supporting consultations
• Pharmacy duties including medication box countersigning
• Ward nursing and patient care coordination
• Client communication and care advice
• Working within a team of five veterinary surgeons and ten qualified veterinary nurses

Requirements

• Valid RVN qualification and current RCVS registration
• Strong communication skills with the ability to build rapport with both clients and team members
• Genuine passion for working with small animals and exotics, with commitment to ongoing learning
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a compassionate approach
• Team-oriented mindset with a positive attitude and desire to contribute to a collaborative culture
• High attention to detail, excellent organisational skills, and ability to multi-task

Benefits

• Annual Leave: 6.6 weeks inclusive of bank holidays, plus additional entitlement for your birthday
• Wellbeing Support: Enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay; private medical insurance; non-accidental injury support
• Fitness & Lifestyle: Discounted gym membership, Cycle to Work scheme, Pawsome Benefits (reward gateway with discounts and cashback from 100+ retailers)
• Professional Development: £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid leave pro rata; certificate support; access to IVC Evidensia Academy; Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia; eligibility for research funding; infection prevention and quality improvement programmes
• Financial: Pension (5% employee / 3% employer); discounted staff pet care; VDS cover and RCVS fees paid
• Salary: Up to £32,000 depending on experience

About the Practice

Ashleigh Veterinary Centre has been serving Manchester since 1963, evolving from a two-person practice into a respected 15+ strong team. The practice occupies a purpose-built facility with modern equipment and facilities approved for specialist-level care. Five veterinary surgeons and ten qualified veterinary nurses deliver advanced services in canine and feline internal medicine, cardiology, and exotic animal medicine and surgery.

As an RCVS-approved nurse training centre, Ashleigh actively develops veterinary nurses to qualification level, with several team members holding advanced nursing qualifications. The practice expanded significantly over the past decade, adding a cattery and developing specialist exotic care, enabling them to offer a comprehensive veterinary service. Part of IVC Evidensia, the practice maintains its commitment to high standards, ongoing education, and a genuinely supportive working environment where no targets drive decision-making.