OOH Ward Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

Paragon Veterinary Referrals, based in Wakefield, is looking for a dedicated Registered Veterinary Nurse to join its inpatient care team in an out-of-hours ward nursing position. You’ll work 3:30pm–midnight Monday to Friday, with a manageable 1:7 on-call rota for Saturday night shifts, giving you real work-life balance in a role that matters. This is a full-time post in one of the UK’s leading multi-disciplinary referral hospitals, where you’ll be part of a small, collaborative nursing team delivering intensive care to some genuinely challenging cases.

You’ll be working in a facility designed for patient comfort and infection control, equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and a 24/7 patient care ethos. The role suits RVNs who thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy problem-solving under pressure, and have a genuine passion for nursing intensive and critical patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Creating and delivering comprehensive nursing care plans to multiple inpatients across medical and surgical wards and cattery
• Nursing intensive and critical canine and feline patients with clinical confidence and compassion
• Performing shift handovers to ensure continuity of care and seamless team communication
• Collaborating effectively within a small, supportive ward team
• Teaching and sharing clinical knowledge with colleagues
• Maintaining strict infection control standards across the ward environment
• Patient triage and emergency response as part of ward duties

Requirements

• Current RCVS registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse
• Experience nursing within an intensive care or high-dependency setting (desirable, but not essential)
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple patients effectively
• Ability to work under pressure and remain calm in emergencies
• Proactive, positive attitude with genuine commitment to patient welfare
• Team player who communicates clearly and collaborates well

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £29,300 per annum plus £2,500 OOH supplement
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and an additional paid birthday day off
• Enhanced family leave and sickness policies
• RCVS and VDS fees paid by the practice
• CPD opportunities with allocated CPD days and access to extensive clinical and non-clinical learning programmes
• Clear progression and professional development pathways within Linnaeus
• Staff discount schemes and PetPlan discounts
• Comprehensive wellness programme including Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), gym membership discount, Cycle2Work scheme, eye care vouchers, and flu vaccine voucher
• Recruitment reward scheme
• Mental Health First Aider network and confidential support services

About the Practice

Paragon Veterinary Referrals is a multi-disciplinary referral hospital serving Yorkshire and beyond, offering comprehensive clinical services, diagnostic facilities, and specialist equipment among the best in the UK. The practice is built around a dedicated team of veterinary surgeons and highly skilled nurses delivering outstanding patient care. As part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health—the world’s largest family-owned veterinary company—you’ll have access to a global network of specialists, extensive development opportunities, and a genuine commitment to staff wellbeing.

Linnaeus operates over 6,000 associates across its network and is driven by its purpose: creating a better world for pets, which starts with a better world for its people. The culture emphasises inclusion, authenticity, and a shared commitment to clinical excellence.