Registered Veterinary Nurse – Small Animal

About the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity to join Summerhill Veterinary Centre as it relocates to a brand-new purpose-built site in April 2025. You’ll work as a GP RVN across a diverse range of clinical activities—caring for inpatients and day patients, supporting theatre and anaesthesia, and managing admissions, discharges, and post-operative care. The practice operates Monday to Friday with shifts between 8:00am and 8:00pm, plus a shared on-call rota covering weekday evenings and weekends.

The role offers real flexibility within the rota structure, with specialised nursing positions in theatre support, hospital, clinic, and consult work—so you can play to your strengths. You’ll also run nurse-led clinics covering chronic disease management, blood pressure monitoring, vaccinations, and wellness assessments, helping deliver holistic patient care alongside the vets.

Located near Fakenham town centre with easy access to North Norfolk’s beaches, pinewoods, and the Norfolk Broads, this is a chance to work in a close-knit rural community whilst remaining just 1.75 hours from London by train.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide inpatient and day patient nursing care across the small animal caseload (dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and small rodents)
• Support theatre and anaesthesia procedures with skilled technical nursing
• Manage patient admissions, discharges, and post-operative care protocols
• Lead nurse-run clinics for chronic disease management, blood pressure checks, vaccinations, and wellness assessments
• Participate in the shared on-call rota (weekday evenings 5:30pm–8:00am and weekends Saturday/Sunday 8:30am–Monday 8:00am)
• Work collaboratively with 8 vets and 11 nursing colleagues to deliver high-quality, holistic care
• Contribute to the practice’s commitment to nurse development and CPD initiatives

Requirements

• Current RCVS registration as a Veterinary Nurse
• Strong clinical experience in small animal general practice
• Confidence working within a skilled, supportive team environment
• Willingness to participate in the shared on-call rota alongside vets
• Professional approach to patient care and team collaboration

Benefits

• Annual Leave: 6.6 weeks inclusive of bank holidays, plus additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
• CPD & Development: £550 annual CPD allowance with 24 hours paid CPD leave (pro rata), certificate course support, access to IVC Evidensia Academy, Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia, and research funding opportunities
• Wellbeing: Private medical insurance, enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay), Cycle to Work scheme, and dedicated non-accidental injury support
• Professional Support: VDS cover and RCVS fees paid
• Pension: 5% employee/3% employer contribution
• Additional Perks: Pawsome Benefits (reward gateway with 100s of retailers), discounted staff pet care, and staff wellbeing initiatives
• Salary: Up to £35,500 per annum

About the Practice

Summerhill Veterinary Centre is a well-equipped, RCVS-accredited small animal practice serving Fakenham with both first-opinion and local referral cases. Part of IVC Evidensia, the practice is undergoing expansion in April 2025 with a move to a purpose-built site designed to enhance facilities and services. The team comprises 8 vets, 11 nurses, and 2 care assistants, alongside reception and admin staff, creating a friendly, professional, and development-focused workplace.

The practice champions nurse development through supportive Clinical Directors who promote CPD, certificate courses, and flexible rotas tailored to individual strengths. Located on Queens Road near Fakenham town centre, the new building offers ample parking and easy access to local amenities and the Norfolk countryside. A sister practice, Wensum Valley Vets, handles farm animals and equine work.