Registered Veterinary Nurse – Small Animal

About the Role

You’ll be joining Market Vets, a well-established two-site mixed practice nestled in stunning North Devon, just a short drive from Exmoor National Park and the coast. This is a 12-month fixed-term maternity cover position offering a genuinely varied nursing experience with full-time hours (37.5 hours per week). The practice actively encourages RVNs to utilise their full skill set, and you’ll have the opportunity to develop specialist interests with strong support from a collaborative team.

The rota includes weekday shifts from 8:00am with the latest finish at 6:15pm, plus working 1 in 7 Saturdays (8:30am–5:00pm) with time off in lieu the same week. You’ll also participate in second on-call cover from 6:00pm–7:00pm approximately once every 7 weeks (with paid retainer, call-out fees, and 1.5x pay for any on-site work), and late-night inpatient checks three evenings every 7 weeks with appropriate compensation.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality inpatient nursing care across both sites
• Support theatre duties and assist with complex surgical procedures
• Conduct nurse-led consultations and clinics, including therapeutic laser sessions
• Perform Schedule 3 procedures within your scope of practice
• Participate in on-call cover rota and inpatient monitoring responsibilities
• Contribute to a culture of learning and professional development
• Work as part of a nursing team of 12 RVNs, 3 student nurses, and support staff

Requirements

• Current RVN registration with the RCVS
• Proactive, approachable attitude with genuine enthusiasm for patient care
• Confidence working independently while thriving in a team environment
• Excellent communication skills and a positive approach to client interaction
• Commitment to high standards of patient welfare
• Flexibility to work the rota, including Saturdays and on-call duties

Benefits

• Competitive Salary: Up to £28,977 per annum
• Leave: 6.6 weeks annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) plus additional entitlement for your birthday
• Wellbeing: Enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay), private medical insurance, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym membership, and non-accidental injury support
• Professional Development: £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid leave (pro rata), certificate support, access to IVC Evidensia Academy learning, Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia, and research funding opportunities
• Professional Support: VDS cover and RCVS fees paid
• Pension: 5% employee / 3% employer contribution
• Additional Perks: Pawsome Benefits reward gateway with discounts and cashback at 100s of retailers, discounted staff pet care

About the Practice

Market Vets is a modern, well-equipped two-site practice with deep roots in the North Devon community. With locations in South Molton and Pottington (Barnstaple), the practice has built a reputation for personalised, high-standard care. The team comprises 14 vets, 12 RVNs, 3 student nurses, and 11 admin and support staff. Several vets hold postgraduate certificates in surgery and exotics, whilst the nursing team includes specialists in anaesthesia, feline nursing, and exotic care.

The surgeries are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including digital and dental radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, therapeutic laser, multiparameter theatre monitoring, in-house diagnostics, laboratory, and pharmacy. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia and actively supports professional development, quality improvement, and infection prevention. Market Vets also partners with local charities, including a longstanding relationship with Cats Protection, and offers 24-hour emergency call-out services to the community.