Registered Veterinary Nurse – Wards

About the Role

You’ll be based in the modern kennels and cat ward at Hamilton Specialist Referrals, providing specialist inpatient care to orthopaedic, neurological, soft tissue, oncology, and internal medicine patients. This part-time role (18.6 hours per week across two 8-hour shifts) is perfect for someone who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and wants to develop their nursing skills to the next level in a truly supportive setting. The hospital operates 24/7, and you’ll be part of a close-knit team of over 100 staff including 11 specialists and 25 RVNs.

Whether you’re transitioning from first opinion practice or already have referral experience, you’ll benefit from a structured 6-month training period and access to IVC’s specialist ‘Introduction to Referral Nursing’ modules. Your role includes a 1:6 weekend rota, allowing for a genuine work-life balance while maintaining continuity of care.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor hospitalised patients and liaise with case clinicians regarding any concerns
• Administer medications and assist with anaesthesia recovery
• Deliver post-operative care and ongoing patient management
• Contribute to the highest standards of inpatient nursing care across orthopaedic, neurological, soft tissue, oncology, and internal medicine wards
• Work collaboratively with the veterinary team and fellow nurses in a supportive environment
• Take initiative in a fast-paced setting while maintaining strong teamwork and communication

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) qualification
• Proactive, enthusiastic, and approachable approach to teamwork
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to multitask with a flexible, adaptable mindset
• Willingness to work independently and take initiative
• Experience in a referral setting is preferred but not essential—full training and mentoring provided

Benefits

• Leave & Time Off: 6.6 weeks annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays), with increasing allowance based on length of service and additional holiday for your birthday
• Wellbeing Support: Enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay; private medical insurance; Cycle to Work scheme
• Professional Development: CPD allowance, certificate support, access to IVC Evidensia Academy, Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia, and eligibility to apply for research funding
• Professional Memberships: VDS cover and RCVS fees paid
• Financial & Perks: Competitive base salary (£31,800 FTE); pension (5% employee/3% employer); relocation allowance; Pawsome Benefits reward gateway with discounts and cashback; discounted staff pet care

About the Practice

Hamilton Specialist Referrals is a modern, 24/7 specialist hospital located just outside High Wycombe (J4, M40) in Buckinghamshire. The practice was founded on the belief that there is room for a new wave of veterinary excellence across the UK, with a strong focus on delivering world-class clinical services alongside a personal, reassuring client experience. The hospital specialises in orthopaedics, neurology, soft tissue, and internal medicine, offering the most advanced treatment options available.

The hospital is part of IVC Evidensia and values its workforce as fundamental to success. With a team of over 100 staff—including 11 specialists, 25 RVNs, and comprehensive support teams—the culture is built around fostering a friendly, close-knit environment where staff enjoy their work and build rewarding careers. Internal and external CPD sessions are regularly hosted, often led by specialists and nurse team leaders, with a strong focus on nursing development and further qualifications.