OOH Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

This is a specialist out-of-hours nursing position within a modern referral hospital. You'll deliver advanced nursing care for complex cases across both referral and first-opinion departments, working 12-hour night shifts on a 7-nights-on, 14-nights-off pattern that averages 28.87 hours per week. The role offers genuine work-life balance with extended time off between rotas, rather than the typical weekly on-call commitments found in many practices.

Vale Referrals sits just minutes from the M5 motorway between Gloucester and Bristol, serving the South West, South Wales, and the Midlands. The practice is part of inspiring vet care, the UK's leading vet care provider trusted with the care of over 2 million animals.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver advanced nursing care from the referral and first-opinion departments, managing complex cases in the wards
• Work as part of a small dedicated OOH nursing team, supported by a Hospital Assistant and on-call veterinary colleagues
• Provide nursing expertise across a range of specialisms including soft tissue, orthopaedics, cardiology, internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, and oncology
• Support evidence-based, no-blame clinical practice and contribute to continuous improvement within the team
• Contribute to the development and learning of junior team members where appropriate

Requirements

• Current RCVS registration as a Veterinary Nurse
• Significant experience in clinical practice with advanced nursing skills in out-of-hours settings
• Experience working with complex cases in a referral or busy first-opinion hospital environment
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively within a small OOH team
• Commitment to evidence-based practice, clinical governance, and continuous improvement

Benefits

• Salary up to £30,500 depending on experience
• £550 annual CPD allowance plus 24 hours paid leave for professional development
• RCVS and VDS fees covered by the practice
• Private Medical Insurance
• Pension scheme
• Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
• Enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay
• Discounted veterinary care
• Voluntary benefits including Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to retail discounts and cashback
• Career pathways with progression opportunities in referral nursing and leadership roles
• Collaborative, values-led team culture focused on learning and continuous improvement

About the Practice

Vale Referrals is a specialist referral hospital providing expert diagnosis and treatment for complex cases referred by veterinary surgeons. The practice houses an impressive array of facilities including 5 theatres, medicine suite with ultrasound and endoscopy, dental room, x-ray, separate cat and exotics wards, and an onsite CT scanner. The team includes diploma and certificate holders across soft tissue, orthopaedics, cardiology, internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, and oncology.

The nursing team comprises 33 RVNs, SVNs, and hospital assistants, many of whom hold advanced diplomas and certificates. The practice actively encourages professional development through advanced qualifications and CPD, operating an evidence-based, no-blame culture where team members are encouraged to contribute ideas and drive continuous improvement.