Surgical Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service is seeking an enthusiastic Registered Veterinary Nurse to join its specialist Surgical Suite nursing team. You will work alongside 6 full-time RVNs, 6 part-time RVNs, and 6 dedicated surgical suite Patient Care Assistants, supporting surgical patients from a broad range of disciplines including cardiology, soft tissue, orthopaedics, neurology, and ophthalmology. This full-time position offers 38 hours per week with shifts between 7 am and 9 pm, with just 1 in 6 weekends required.

This is a referral centre role at a state-of-the-art facility equipped with a Siemens 64-slice CT scanner, 1.5T MRI, in-theatre mobile image intensifiers, digital radiography, ultrasonography, and extensive advanced surgical equipment. You'll gain exposure to complex cases and benefit from a comprehensive nursing CPD programme delivered in-house by experienced nursing staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality peri-operative care for surgical patients across multiple specialisms
• Monitor anaesthesia in emergency and critically ill patients
• Prepare patients for surgery and assist with scrubbing into procedures as required
• Manage general and theatre nursing duties, including maintenance and preparation of sterile supplies and instruments
• Perform core nursing duties including intravenous catheter placement, drug dosage calculation, blood sampling, and patient recovery
• Maintain accurate clinical records and ensure excellent infection control protocols
• Communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary surgical team

Requirements

• Current RVN registration with the RCVS
• Competence and confidence in all core nursing duties including anaesthesia monitoring and IV catheterisation
• Experience with drug dosage calculation, handling, and administration
• Excellent communicator with a genuine desire to improve clinical standards
• Previous referral experience desirable but not essential; comprehensive training and support will be provided

Benefits

• Competitive salary from £28,000 depending on experience
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• External CPD funded, plus extensive free online Linnaeus CPD programme
• Career progression opportunities within a large multidisciplinary team
• Staff discount schemes and life assurance
• Enhanced sickness pay and enhanced equal family leave
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme and cycle to work scheme
• Wellness programme including employee assistance programme, eyecare voucher scheme, free annual flu jab
• Recruitment referral reward scheme
• Mental Health First Aiders and confidential employee assistance programme

About the Practice

Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service is one of the leading small animal referral centres in the UK, delivering excellence in pet healthcare for over 30 years. The practice employs over 250 associates working as part of a multidisciplinary team led by internationally renowned specialists in soft tissue, orthopaedics, neurology, ophthalmology, internal medicine, oncology, cardiology, dermatology, emergency and critical care, anaesthesia, and diagnostic imaging. In-patient care is a priority with 24-hour veterinary and nursing cover supported by a team of interns.

Centrally located in Solihull, Willows is within easy reach of Birmingham, Birmingham International Airport, and the national rail and motorway networks. The practice is only a short drive from historic Stratford-upon-Avon and the Warwickshire countryside. The facility is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health.