Wards RVN

About the Role

You will be joining Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists as a Wards Nurse on a 12 month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave. The role is for 40 hours per week, worked over 3 shifts per week, with shift times of 07:00 to 19:30.

The rota also includes 1:5 weekends, with Saturday and Sunday shifts running from 07:00 to 19:30. This is a strong opportunity for an experienced RVN who enjoys inpatient care and wants to focus on complex cases within a referral setting.

SCVS is a specialist-led small animal hospital with an expanding clinical environment and a varied referral caseload. You will be working within a dedicated wards team alongside recognised specialists, advanced nurses, veterinary care assistants, and a rehabilitation team that supports physiotherapy and hydrotherapy for post-operative recovery.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care for hospitalised medical and surgical inpatients within the wards facility.
• Monitor patients and support their ongoing care throughout admission.
• Deliver individualised nursing care for a varied caseload of complex referral cases.
• Work closely with the wider veterinary team to support clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.
• Contribute to care across the hospital's dog wards, high-dependency unit, and separate cat ward.

Requirements

• RCVS registration as a Veterinary Nurse.
• Significant experience in clinical practice.
• An interest in wards nursing and inpatient care.
• Experience with complex cases in a referral or advanced-care setting is advantageous.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work within multidisciplinary teams.
• A commitment to evidence-based practice, clinical governance, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Salary up to £35,000 DOE.
• 6.6 weeks' annual leave.
• Increased holiday allowance based on length of service.
• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme.
• £550 CPD allowance, 24 hours paid leave, and certificate support.
• RCVS and VDS fees covered.
• Pension scheme.
• Discounted veterinary care.
• Voluntary benefits including Green Cars salary sacrifice and access to retailer discounts and cashback.

About the Practice

Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists is a specialist referral centre based in Ringwood, Hampshire, providing referral services for veterinary practices in the south. The hospital has specialists across cardiology, dermatology, internal medicine, neurology, orthopaedics, diagnostic imaging, spinal surgery, soft tissue surgery, and physiotherapy.

The practice has recently expanded with a purpose-built theatre complex, a two-storey facility with a large client reception and waiting area, 10 new consulting rooms, a rehabilitation centre, and plans for a new diagnostic suite and ICU area. Its hospital team includes recognised specialists, advanced nurses, veterinary care assistants, and a dedicated rehabilitation team.