Surgical & ECC Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

You’ll join Penmellyn Vets’ St. Columb Major Hospital as a full time Surgical and ECC (Emergency & Critical Care) Registered Veterinary Nurse on a 12-month fixed-term contract. Working four shifts per week totalling 40 hours, this twilight-based role offers focused time in two specialised areas of nursing. The practice sits in the heart of mid-Cornwall with excellent local reputation, and this hospital location hosts the practice’s out-of-hours service, giving you exposure to varied emergency presentations alongside planned surgical procedures.

This is a flexible working opportunity that respects your personal life while keeping you engaged in challenging, rewarding clinical work. You’ll be part of an established team across the main hospital and five surrounding branch surgeries.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-level nursing support in the surgical theatre environment, assisting with procedure preparation, instrumentation, and patient recovery
• Deliver compassionate emergency and critical care nursing during the twilight out-of-hours shifts
• Monitor and manage hospitalised patients, including vital signs assessment and fluid therapy administration
• Maintain surgical instrument and equipment sterilisation standards
• Contribute to the practice’s commitment to exceptional patient care and client communication
• Support the wider nursing team across the hospital and branch locations as needed

Requirements

• Current RCVS registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
• Demonstrable experience or strong interest in surgical and/or emergency nursing
• Ability to work flexibly, including twilight hours as part of the out-of-hours rota
• Strong clinical knowledge and professional approach to patient care
• Team player with excellent communication skills

Benefits

• Competitive salary: Up to £34,000 per annum depending on experience
• Leave: 6.6 weeks annual holiday plus your birthday as a paid day off, with increasing allowance based on length of service
• Professional development: £550 CPD allowance, certificate support, access to the IVC Evidensia Academy, and Vetlexicon online resource
• Wellbeing support: Enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity/paternity/adoption/surrogacy pay), private medical insurance, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym membership, and non-accidental injury support
• Professional fees: VDS cover and RCVS fees paid
• Additional perks: Pension scheme (5% employee/3% employer), discounted staff pet care, Pawsome Benefits rewards gateway with cashback and discounts
• Research opportunities: Access to research funding for vets and nurses

About the Practice

Penmellyn Vets is an established small animal practice serving mid-Cornwall with a main hospital in St. Columb Major and five branch surgeries throughout the region. The practice operates the area’s out-of-hours emergency service from the main hospital, combining planned care with emergency provision. They’re part of IVC Evidensia, one of the UK’s largest veterinary groups, which means access to professional development resources, mentorship, and wider networking opportunities while maintaining local clinical autonomy.

The practice treats dogs, cats, small pets, exotics, rabbits, and chickens, with a reputation for exceptional patient care and strong community ties. The team culture emphasises investing in people, premises, and processes, with genuine commitment to employee wellbeing and career development.