About the Role
A 9-12 month maternity cover opportunity has opened for an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse with a passion for theatre work to step into a Senior Theatre Veterinary Nurse position. This full-time role (40 hours per week, flexible across 4 or 5 days) is ideal for an RVN who thrives in the surgical environment and wants to take on leadership responsibilities managing four operating theatres. The practice would also consider an experienced RVN without prior senior experience but with genuine theatre passion and drive to develop into a lead role.
The Wanstead hospital location handles both first opinion cases and internal referrals from surrounding London branches, offering you a diverse caseload. You'll have fantastic diagnostic support including CT scanning, commercial laboratory facilities, a strong medical team, and experienced surgeons performing advanced orthopaedic, soft tissue, and minimally invasive procedures on site. With a 1:6 weekend rotation plus TOIL and 2 bank holidays annually, plus last resort on-call every 1:10 weeks, the rota is manageable and shared. The Wanstead location sits on the outskirts of urban Essex with easy countryside access, and is minutes from Central Line transport (note: no on-site parking available). This is a fixed-term contract for 9-12 months.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage four operating theatres, ensuring efficient operation to the highest standard
- Conduct and audit GA sheets and pre-GA checklists
- Provide GA and theatre training to nursing staff
- Maintain theatre setup folders and ensure surgical kits are properly maintained
- Organise the theatre day schedule and manage GA troubleshooting
- Order medical air and maintain surgical stock levels
- Deliver ventilator and ethylene oxide training to the team
- Develop and maintain theatre standard operating procedures
- Provide endoscope training and manage scope maintenance
- Deliver in-house CPD sessions for nursing staff
- Attend and contribute to leadership meetings
- Provide cover for the Charge Nurse position when needed
Requirements
- Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) qualification
- Substantial experience working in a surgical theatre environment
- Keen interest in theatre work and surgical procedures
- Ability to work in a senior/leadership capacity (experience desirable but not essential)
- Passion for developing skills and taking on new responsibilities
Benefits
- Competitive salary: £35,000–£39,000 depending on experience
- 6.6 weeks annual leave including bank holidays
- CPD budget annually plus up to 2 days' paid CPD leave per year
- Paid 30-minute lunch breaks
- Private medical healthcare scheme available at reduced rate with medical cashback incentives
- Flexible working: 4 or 5 days per week options
- Manageable 1:6 weekend rota with TOIL
- Last resort on-call every 1:10 weeks
- Supportive management structure with 2 deputy head nurses, head nurse, head vet and hospital manager on site
About the Practice
Goddard Veterinary Group was established in 1952 and has grown across London to operate 44 neighbourhood practices, three 24-hour hospitals, their own nursing college, and an expanding contact centre. The Wanstead location is a busy hospital serving its own first opinion client base plus internal referrals from East, North and Central London branches. The team consists of approximately 25 vets, 27 RVNs, 14 SVNs, 7 VCAs and a substantial front-of-house team. The practice is known for high clinical standards and excellent client care, with significant investment in equipment and refurbishment programmes across the group.
Goddard Veterinary Group has a strong reputation for staff welfare: over 20% of the team have worked with the group for 10+ years, and the organisation maintains excellent employee reviews. All senior managers are Mental Health First Aid trained, and new starters receive Wellness Plans. The group runs a Colleague Forum and regular virtual Town Halls to ensure staff voices are heard in decision-making.
