Surgical Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

This is a full-time surgical nursing position at Eastcott Referrals, a tier 3 multidisciplinary referral hospital in Swindon. You’ll work 40 hours across four 10-hour days (shifts between 8am and 8pm), with a 1:8 weekend rota and guaranteed days off the following week—allowing you to maintain a healthy balance outside work.

You’ll be part of a close-knit team that genuinely supports one another. The surgery department includes 6 specialist surgeons, 6 nurses, and 3 dedicated theatre technicians covering soft tissue and orthopaedic caseloads. You’ll work alongside a wonderful theatre tech team who make the operating environment collaborative and efficient. This is a practice that values not just clinical excellence, but also your wellbeing and professional growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Scrubbing into and assisting with a diverse range of surgical procedures across multiple disciplines (soft tissue, orthopaedics, cardiology, neurology, dentistry, ophthalmology)
• General anaesthesia and sedation management for advanced imaging and surgical cases
• Patient clipping and surgical site preparation
• Patient admission and discharge protocols
• Maintenance and organisation of surgical instruments and theatre equipment
• Contributing to theatre organisation and efficiency alongside the surgery technician team

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) with a minimum of 1 year post-qualification experience
• Previous surgery-specific experience
• Team-spirited approach and genuine passion for quality patient care
• Experience in a busy referral setting is desirable but not essential—full training and support will be provided

Benefits

• Competitive salary: £28,000–£33,538 depending on experience
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays
• Additional paid day off to celebrate your birthday
• Enhanced family leave and enhanced sickness policy
• RCVS and VDS fees paid in full
• CPD allowance with allocated CPD days and access to extensive clinical and non-clinical learning programmes
• Career progression and development opportunities, including additional qualifications if desired
• Staff discount schemes and PetPlan discounts
• Comprehensive wellness package: Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), gym membership discount, Cycle2Work scheme, eye care vouchers, flu vaccine voucher
• Recruitment reward scheme
• Mental Health First Aiders and confidential support across the practice

About the Practice

Eastcott Referrals is an innovative tier 3 multidisciplinary referral and primary care hospital located just off the M4 in Swindon, Wiltshire. The practice is cat-friendly and passionate about providing exceptional patient care across cardiology, orthopaedics, soft tissue, medicine, neurology, dentistry, ophthalmology, diagnostic imaging, ECC, and primary care. The team is genuinely supportive, with regular CPD opportunities, team meetings, open communication, and real investment in your career development.

Eastcott Referrals is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Linnaeus comprises over 6,000 associates across highly respected primary care and referral practices in the UK and Ireland, united by a commitment to excellence and a shared purpose: A Better World for Pets. Being privately owned, Linnaeus prioritises long-term thinking and genuine support for its people—offering access to worldwide development opportunities, a huge network of specialists, and a comprehensive wellbeing package that puts your physical and mental health first.