Referral Veterinary Nurse, Anaesthesia Focus

About the Role

This is a permanent Referral Veterinary Nurse role with an anaesthesia focus at Bristol Veterinary Specialists in Avonmouth, Bristol. The position is on site and offers a structured rota of 4 x 10 hour days with a set day off each week.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary referral team working alongside nurses, residents and specialist vets. The hospital handles a wide range of cases across soft tissue, orthopaedics, cardiology, ophthalmology, neurology, oncology, internal medicine, radiotherapy and dentistry, with nursing input in anaesthesia, sedation, recovery and nurse led procedures.

The role also includes weekday and weekend on-call, currently 1:12 and subject to change, but never more frequent than 1:4, plus participation in a bank holiday rota. Full induction, mentoring and support are provided, along with internal learning through weekly book club, journal club and an education programme led by anaesthesia specialists and residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and monitor general anaesthesia and sedation across a multidisciplinary referral hospital.
• Support a caseload spanning soft tissue, orthopaedics, cardiology, ophthalmology, neurology, oncology, internal medicine, radiotherapy and dentistry.
• Recover patients on the recovery ward.
• Take part in nurse led procedures, including arterial catheterisation and local regional techniques.
• Work with nurses, residents and specialist vets in a specialist referral setting.
• Participate in the weekday and weekend on-call rota and the bank holiday rota.

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Nurse status.
• Either anaesthesia experience or a strong interest in anaesthesia.
• At least one year of post-qualification first opinion practice experience.
• Referral nursing experience is beneficial, but not essential.
• Initiative, forward thinking, empathy and strong teamwork.

Benefits

• Salary of £31,000 to £37,000.
• 4 x 10 hour days with a set day off each week.
• On-call currently 1:12 for weekdays and weekends, with cover never more frequent than 1:4.
• Bank holiday rota.
• Full induction, mentoring and support.
• Professional memberships funded.
• CPD and further studies encouraged.
• Up to 7 weeks annual leave plus Bank Holidays, with a Buy/Sell holiday scheme that allows purchase of an additional two weeks.
• Long Service Holiday.
• Workplace pension scheme.
• Mental Health first aiders.
• Maternity and Adoption Pay, 10 weeks full pay and 10 weeks half pay.
• Paternity Pay and Shared Parental Leave.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Discounted pet treatments.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Discounted UK gym membership with Gym Flex.
• Performance bonus scheme.
• Save as you Earn Scheme.
• Internal career progression and transfers across a network of over 500 practices.
• Healthshield cash plan.
• Gym membership discounts.
• Optional Private Medical, Life and Critical Illness cover.

About the Practice

Bristol Veterinary Specialists is a multidisciplinary referral centre based in Central Park, Avonmouth, Bristol. The hospital is brand new, custom built and covers over 30,000 square feet, with uniquely designed facilities and the latest cutting edge equipment.

It is described as a flagship hub for small animal pet owners in the South West and Wales, with specialists in all disciplines working under one roof. The location is also noted as being accessible from the M5, M4 and M49.

The role sits within CVS Group.