Senior Theatre Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

You’ll be stepping into a 12-month maternity cover Senior Theatre Registered Veterinary Nurse position at a vibrant multi-site hospital in Wanstead, East London. This is a 12-month maternity cover opportunity that could be the perfect springboard for gaining leadership experience in theatre management. The role offers flexibility: work either four or five days per week, with a manageable 1:6 weekend rota and TOIL compensation, plus last-resort on-call cover on a 1:10 weekly rotation. You’ll have strong support from an extensive onsite management team including two deputy head nurses, a head nurse, head vet, and hospital manager.

Wanstead is a busy first opinion practice that also receives internal referral cases from surrounding East, North and Central London branches, exposing you to diverse and interesting surgical work. The facility boasts excellent diagnostic support including CT scanning, a commercial laboratory, and experienced surgeons regularly performing advanced orthopaedic, soft tissue, and minimally invasive procedures. You’ll work within a large, collaborative team of approximately 25 vets, 27 RVNs, 14 SVNs, 7 VCAs and a dedicated front-of-house team. The location offers the best of both worlds: close to urban amenities with quick access to the Central Line, yet positioned on the outskirts of Essex near countryside relief. Note: on-site parking is not available; public transport is advised.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage four operating theatres, ensuring they run efficiently and to the highest clinical standard
• Conduct and oversee general anaesthetic sheet audits and pre-GA checklist audits
• Deliver hands-on training to nursing staff in GA protocols and theatre procedures
• Maintain and update surgical kit setup folders and ensure all equipment is properly maintained
• Organise daily theatre schedules and manage GA troubleshooting
• Oversee ordering and maintenance of medical air supplies and surgical stock
• Deliver in-house CPD sessions to the nursing team
• Provide specialist training on ventilator use, ethylene oxide sterilisation, and endoscope maintenance
• Contribute to theatre standard operating procedures (SOPs) development
• Attend and participate in leadership meetings
• Provide cover for Charge Nurse duties as needed

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) qualification essential
• Significant theatre experience and demonstrable confidence in the surgical environment
• Strong passion for theatre work and commitment to high surgical standards
• Leadership experience desirable but not essential—the practice will consider experienced RVNs with passion and drive to develop into a senior theatre role
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with vets, nurses and support staff

Benefits

• Salary: £34,000–£39,000 per annum depending on experience
• 6.6 weeks annual leave including bank holidays
• Annual CPD budget plus up to 2 days’ paid CPD leave per year
• Paid 30-minute lunch breaks
• Access to private medical healthcare scheme at reduced rate, including medical cashback incentives
• TOIL compensation for weekend working

About the Practice

Goddard Vet Group’s Wanstead Veterinary Hospital is a substantial first opinion practice serving the local community whilst also functioning as a referral centre for surrounding East, North and Central London branches. The hospital operates with a strong emphasis on advanced surgical and diagnostic capabilities, supported by experienced clinicians and a well-established nursing structure. Part of the wider VetPartners group, Goddard benefits from corporate support whilst maintaining its own distinct local identity and clinical autonomy.