About the Role
This is a part-time position working 16 hours per week across 2 days (preferably Monday and Tuesday, 10:30 am–7 pm), giving you flexibility while maintaining real clinical involvement. You'll join Cootes Vets, an award-winning first-opinion practice set in a beautifully refurbished semi-rural clinic near Burgess Hill with easy access to Brighton and the South Downs. The practice has strong community ties, a loyal client base, and a family-feel team culture where clients are known by name and care is genuinely personal.
The clinic is well-equipped to manage a wide range of cases in-house, including digital and dental X-ray, ultrasound, laparoscopy, tonometry, in-house laboratory facilities, and a Phovia lamp. You'll work alongside two highly experienced, long-standing veterinary surgeons and collaborate closely with a dedicated out-of-hours service to ensure continuity of care.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver high-quality nursing care to first-opinion patients across medical and surgical cases
- Lead and support nurse-led clinics including puppy parties and weight management programmes
- Manage theatre work and operative procedures, including post-operative cleaning and preparation
- Undertake laboratory duties and support in-house diagnostics
- Provide inpatient care and manage patient discharges
- Communicate effectively with clients and contribute to excellent client experiences
- Support the development and maintenance of clinical standards within the practice
Requirements
- Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS
- Experience working in clinical practice with growing confidence in medical and surgical nursing
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with clients and colleagues
- Good organisational skills and ability to manage workload effectively
- Proactive approach to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement
- An interest in exotic caseload and diagnostics (desirable)
Benefits
- 6.6 weeks' annual leave plus your birthday off
- Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
- Enhanced family-friendly policies: maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay
- Private Medical Insurance
- Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
- £550 CPD allowance plus 24 hours paid leave for development
- Certificate support and RCVS and VDS fees covered
- Pension scheme
- Discounted veterinary care
- Voluntary benefits: Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to discounts and cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
- Clear career pathways with progression opportunities into Senior Nurse, Referral, or leadership roles, as well as clinical supervisors, mentors, and certificate holder positions
About the Practice
Cootes Veterinary Clinic is an award-winning first-opinion practice based in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, serving the local community with a team of highly experienced veterinary surgeons and nurses. The clinic features a spacious, beautifully refurbished facility with a large reception and waiting area, plus a dedicated car park with ample spaces. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, a progressive veterinary group committed to supporting team development, innovation, and workplace wellbeing across all career stages.
Community engagement is central to the practice's identity, from successful annual dog shows to community grant awards supporting local charities. The team prides itself on a collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement.
