Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) – Small Animal

About the Role

Basildon Pitsea Vets for Pets is seeking a 2nd-year student veterinary nurse (SVN) or recently qualified RVN to join their busy 24-hour hospital. This is an ideal opportunity if you’re looking for a supportive environment where your development as a nurse is genuinely prioritized. The practice has a strong track record of nurturing nursing talent through their careers.

You’ll work full-time across 40 hours per week with a 1:4 weekend rota. The hospital handles a high volume of emergency and critical care cases alongside elective procedures, giving you exposure to diverse clinical scenarios in a structured learning environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on nursing care across multiple wards (cat, dog, exotic, outpatients, isolation)
• Assist with surgical procedures including soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery
• Support emergency and critical care cases as part of a 24-hour service covering local clinics
• Contribute to dental procedures in the dedicated dental area with dental X-ray facilities
• Work with advanced equipment including CT, MRI, hydrotherapy, and physiotherapy units
• Deliver excellent patient and client care with strong communication and organizational skills
• Collaborate with a supportive team committed to pain control, anaesthesia, and working towards zero-pain practice accreditation
• Participate in the supportive learning environment that underpins the practice’s veterinary nursing training programme

Requirements

• 2nd-year SVN or recently qualified RVN status
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Pride in working to high standards
• Ability to embrace all aspects of the veterinary nurse role
• Commitment to delivering excellent patient and client care

Benefits

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
• Pension scheme
• Healthcare package
• Paid professional memberships
• Exclusive lifestyle and shopping discounts (up to 20% off at Pets at Home)
• Excellent career progression opportunities
• Supportive learning environment with access to EMS placements
• Training and development within a veterinary nursing training practice

About the Practice

Basildon Pitsea Vets for Pets is a busy 24-hour small animal hospital equipped with advanced facilities including in-house CT, MRI, hydrotherapy, and physiotherapy units. The practice provides emergency cover for several local clinics and conducts a wide range of soft tissue and orthopaedic surgeries. It operates dedicated cat, dog, and exotic wards alongside outpatient and isolation facilities, plus a dedicated dental area with dental X-ray capability.

The team is passionate about pain control, anaesthesia (including regional techniques), and is working towards zero-pain practice accreditation. Education and support are core values—the practice actively offers EMS placements and functions as a veterinary nursing training practice. The non-clinical team is strong, freeing nurses to focus on their clinical roles. The practice values diversity, inclusivity, and creating a supportive environment where team members can be their best selves.