Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity to join PDSA Sunderland’s friendly, collaborative nursing team as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. You’ll work across a modern, well-equipped hospital supporting pets of people in financial hardship—meaningful work that genuinely changes lives. The role is full-time on a 12-month fixed-term contract, with flexible working options built in to support your work-life balance.

Every day brings variety: nurse consultations, inpatient care, medication dispensing, theatre assistance including Schedule 3 surgery, and helping keep both pets calm and owners informed. You’ll be part of a close-knit team where case discussions and shared learning thrive, and where your passion for animal welfare is actively championed. The hospital is modern and well-equipped with separate dog and cat kennelling, in-house radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, piped gases, and extensive orthopaedic equipment.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-standard nursing care across nurse consultations, inpatient management, and theatre support
• Prepare and dispense medications accurately and safely
• Assist with Schedule 3 surgery and orthopaedic procedures
• Maintain clear communication with clients and the wider clinical team
• Support the hospital’s ethos by promoting efficiency and suggesting improvements to resource use
• Share your clinical knowledge and support colleagues in a collaborative, learning-focused environment

Requirements

• Current RCVS registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse
• Confidence communicating with diverse colleagues and clients
• Willingness to embrace variety and adapt to different cases
• Strong commitment to animal welfare and charity values
• Team player mentality with pride in maintaining high nursing standards

Benefits

• Salary: £27,455–£31,958 per annum
• CPD & Professional Development: 3 days and £500 per year; full RCVS fees paid; extensive internal CPD programmes; discounts for BSAVA Congress and London Vet Show
• Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays, with option to buy or sell up to 5 additional days
• Special Leave: Three paid special days annually (Volunteering Day, Celebration Day, Wellbeing Day)
• Pension: Generous scheme with PDSA contributions starting at 5%, rising to 10%
• Health & Wellbeing: Life assurance (four times annual salary); AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 support; 10% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus staff veterinary services access
• Family-Friendly: Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Additional Perks: Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts via Fetch staff benefits platform; flexible working options

About the Practice

PDSA Sunderland is a modern, collaborative pet hospital run by the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals—a historic charity providing vital veterinary care for pets of people in financial hardship for over a century. The hospital features separate dog and cat kennelling facilities, in-house diagnostic equipment (radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy), piped gases, and comprehensive orthopaedic capability.

The team is clinically engaged with diverse interests, creating a knowledge-rich environment for case discussion and shared learning. PDSA is committed to embedding diversity, inclusion, and flexible working to support staff from all backgrounds, and maintains rigorous safeguarding practices throughout recruitment and employment.