Registered Veterinary Nurse – Small Animal

About the Role

You’ll join Shinfield Vets in Reading as a Registered Veterinary Nurse, rotating through theatre, inpatient care, and nurse-led clinics in a role designed to stretch and develop your clinical skills. This is small animal practice at its most varied, where you’ll work across multiple disciplines and genuinely contribute to how the team operates. The practice values fresh ideas and continuous improvement, meaning your voice matters from day one.

Working 40 hours per week across 4 or 5 days, this full-time role includes participation in a 1 in 4 Saturday rota (8:00–17:00), balancing a manageable weekend rotation with genuine weekday flexibility. Whether you’re passionate about mentoring, developing specialist skills, or simply delivering excellent patient care, the team actively supports your professional journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver nursing care across theatre, inpatient wards, and nurse-led clinic appointments
• Support the 4 veterinary surgeons and fellow nursing team with surgical and medical cases
• Lead and develop nurse-led clinics, utilising your clinical expertise
• Mentor the 3 student veterinary nurses as part of a collaborative team approach
• Contribute ideas to improve practice standards and procedures
• Maintain high standards of patient care and infection prevention

Requirements

• Current RCVS registration as a Veterinary Nurse
• Proactive, collaborative approach to teamwork
• Passion for varied small animal caseload
• Commitment to high-quality patient care
• Clinical coaching or mentoring experience is welcomed but not essential

Benefits

• Competitive salary: Up to £34,000 dependent on experience
• Time off: 6.6 weeks annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, plus additional leave on your birthday
• Professional development: £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid CPD leave (pro rata), certificate support, and access to IVC Evidensia Academy learning resources
• Wellbeing support: Private Medical Insurance, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, and enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay)
• Professional memberships: VDS cover and RCVS fees paid
• Pension: Company pension scheme with employer contribution
• Specialist resources: Access to Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia, research funding opportunities, and Infection Prevention and Control/Quality Improvement programmes
• Colleague perks: Cycle to Work and Green Cars schemes, voluntary benefits package, retailer discounts and cashback, and discounted treatment for your own pets at IVC Evidensia practices

About the Practice

Shinfield Vets is a well-established Reading practice with over 50 years of trusted experience caring for pets. RCVS accredited and holding Silver Cat Friendly Clinic status, the practice reflects its commitment to high-quality, compassionate care. The team comprises 4 veterinary surgeons, 4 registered veterinary nurses, 3 student veterinary nurses, and a dedicated Practice Director, Jo, who has led the practice for over 20 years and provides exceptional hands-on support to the team.

Part of IVC Evidensia, a leading veterinary group, Shinfield Vets combines independent practice values with access to group-wide resources, professional development, and support networks. The team is genuinely close-knit and supportive, actively encouraging fresh perspectives and continuous improvement across all areas of care and service delivery.