Anaesthesia RVN

About the Role

This is a full-time permanent position within the Anaesthesia department at Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, a multidisciplinary referral hospital in the South of England. You'll join a large, well-established anaesthesia team comprising 5 anaesthetists, 2 resident anaesthetists, and 9 anaesthesia RVNs. The role offers a 1:6 weekend rota with time off in lieu, plus 1-2 bank holidays per year, giving you genuine work-life balance alongside challenging clinical work.

You'll monitor a range of patients from straightforward sedations to complex anaesthesia cases. Within the team, you'll place arterial lines, central venous catheters, and participate in detailed case discussions with specialists. The practice regularly hosts in-house CPD lectures, 6-monthly CPR refreshers, and you'll have dedicated support from 4 senior anaesthesia nurses during your comprehensive 8-week induction and ongoing learning.

The case load is diverse and stimulating: neurology procedures including hemilaminectomies and spinal stabilisation, soft tissue work such as thoracotomies and exploratory laparotomies, cardiology cases including pacemaker fittings, and orthopaedic surgeries ranging from fracture repairs to arthroscopies. You'll also support internal medicine investigations involving CT, ultrasound, and endoscopy.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor patients throughout sedation and complex anaesthesia procedures, maintaining vigilant observation and recording
• Place and manage arterial lines and central venous catheters under guidance from the anaesthesia team
• Participate in case discussions with 5 anaesthetists and contribute clinical observations to treatment planning
• Support specialist surgeries across neurology, soft tissue, cardiology, and orthopaedic cases
• Contribute to safe patient care by coordinating multiple cases efficiently across the theatre and recovery areas
• Attend regular in-house CPD lectures and 6-monthly CPR refreshers to maintain and develop clinical knowledge
• Work collaboratively with the broader nursing and clinical team, stepping in to support colleagues during busy periods

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) with a minimum of 1-2 years' post-qualification experience
• Strong interest in anaesthesia and commitment to developing expertise in this specialism
• Ability to work as part of a large team and communicate effectively with anaesthetists and colleagues
• Willingness to learn and engage with structured induction and ongoing professional development
• Flexibility to accommodate a 1:6 weekend rota and standard full-time hours

Benefits

• Salary: £30,000 to £35,000 per annum
• £500 annual CPD budget for external courses, lectures, and certifications (such as AVA lectures or NCert in Anaesthesia)
• Comprehensive 8-week structured induction with in-depth in-house learning
• Flexible working patterns and hours available (full-time or part-time by discussion)
• 1:6 weekend rota with time off in lieu (TOIL) days awarded in return
• 1-2 bank holidays per year
• Wellness programme including Employee Assistance Programme and optional health shield cash plan
• Mental Health First Aiders and dedicated wellbeing support
• Career progression pathways: nursing team members have moved into clinical advisory roles, leadership positions, and operations teams
• Access to CVS's unrivalled learning and development resources and network of support
• ISFM gold feline clinic designation and BVHA award for outstanding work environment

About the Practice

Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists is a multidisciplinary referral hospital offering specialist services including anaesthesia and analgesia, neurology, orthopaedic surgery, soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, and cardiology. The practice holds ISFM gold feline clinic status and has been recognised with the BVHA design award for providing an outstanding work environment. As part of CVS Group Plc, the practice benefits from access to a wide network of support, flexible benefits, mental health champions, and extensive learning and development resources.

The team culture is described by staff as supportive, collaborative, and invested in individual development. Nurses joining from first opinion practices have reported smooth transitions and rapid skill development, with several progressing to complete advanced certifications such as NCert in Anaesthesia and Analgesia and attending international conferences.