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No overnight on-call or night shifts. All calls after 7pm diverted to Vets Now (Coventry/Northampton). Weekend rota is daytime only: normal service until 1pm Saturday, then further cases managed by Vets Now. Nurse and vet on-site until 4:30pm Saturday to manage morning cases. Weekend rota shared fairly among all nursing staff.
About the Role
You'll be joining Bilton Veterinary Centre as a registered veterinary nurse, working across all aspects of small animal nursing including anaesthesia, in-patient care, nurse-led clinics, and hands-on clinical skills. This full-time daytime role (8am–7:30pm shift pattern) offers genuine flexibility—the practice welcomes discussion about fixed or flexible working arrangements to suit your lifestyle. After 7pm, all emergency calls are redirected to Vets Now (Coventry or Northampton), meaning your evenings and nights are your own. Weekends are shared fairly across the nursing team, with the practice closing to new emergency calls after 1pm Saturday.
Rugby offers an excellent blend of countryside charm and accessibility, with motorway and rail links making commuting straightforward. The practice itself—established over 75 years and the oldest in Rugby—has evolved into a dedicated small animal specialist, set on a single site with no branch work. You'll be part of a practice that truly invests in its people, premises, and clinical excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver high-standard nursing care across routine and advanced procedures, including anaesthesia management and in-patient monitoring
- Lead and deliver nursing clinics, supporting client education and ongoing patient care
- Contribute to the practice's expanding areas of nursing expertise: physiotherapy, dentistry, behaviour, pain management, and anaesthetics
- Participate in Wednesday in-house training sessions and CPD-led learning to develop your clinical knowledge
- Work as part of a seven-strong nursing team alongside eight vets, each with specialist interests in orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, ophthalmology, imaging, cardiology, feline medicine, and general medicine
- Support the practice's ISFM Cat Friendly Accreditation standards and commitment to feline welfare
- Contribute to social media engagement and community outreach (an interest in this area would be valued)
Requirements
- Current RCVS registration as a veterinary nurse
- Confident in all aspects of routine nursing practice
- Strong communication skills and genuine passion for client support and education
- Team player who thrives in a collaborative, supportive environment
- Willingness to engage in continuous professional development and explore your own areas of clinical interest
Benefits
- Leave & Wellbeing: 6.6 weeks annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays), additional holiday for your birthday, and private medical insurance
- Development: £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid CPD leave (pro rata), certificate support, access to IVC Evidensia Academy learning programmes, and Vetlexicon online resource
- Professional Support: VDS cover and RCVS fees covered, research funding opportunities for vets and nurses, infection prevention and control programme, quality improvement initiatives
- Family-Friendly: Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay; 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme helpline
- Financial & Lifestyle: Competitive base salary up to £32,000 (dependent on experience), company pension scheme with employer contribution, Cycle to Work scheme, Green Cars Scheme, voluntary benefits package, and retail discounts/cashback
- Pet Care: Discounted treatment for your own pets at any IVC Evidensia practice
- Culture: Active social life with team meals, outings, and pub trips; Wednesday team meetings with in-house training
About the Practice
Bilton Veterinary Centre is the longest-established small animal practice in Rugby, with over 75 years serving the local community. Originally a mixed practice, the team transitioned to exclusive small animal care in 2009 and is now part of the Independent Vet Care (IVC Evidensia) family—bringing investment, support, and growth opportunities whilst maintaining its independent, locally-rooted identity.
The practice operates from a single, purpose-designed facility with five consulting rooms, dedicated cat and dog kennels, a small furry ward, and a newly refurbished isolation suite. Clinical capabilities are extensive: two sterile theatres, two dental/dirty stations, Digital AGFA and IMS Digital Dental Radiography, ESOATE MyLab X7 Ultrasound with cardiac probes and Doppler, ocular tonometry, slit lamp, IDEXX Catalyst and ProCyte analysers, and ECG machines. The team comprises eight veterinary surgeons, seven fully qualified nurses, one student nurse, and one animal care assistant. Every Wednesday, the practice closes for an hour to facilitate training, meetings, and collaborative learning. The team is ISFM Cat Friendly Accredited and takes pride in its reputation—reflected in strong Google Reviews, Vet Help Direct testimonials, and an active community presence.
