Animal Nursing Assistant

We are hiring!

Here at Galemire, we are looking for a confident and caring Animal Nursing Assistant to join our fantastic team!

Your role will involve delivering a high standard of nursing support to inpatients, either directly or by supporting clinical team members under the direction of a VS or RVN. You will also support non-clinical staff with common daily procedures to ensure that the client and patient journey is of the highest quality. Additionally, you will perform duties and responsibilities helping to ensure that the clinical environment is maintained and biosecurity and H+S regulations are followed within practice. You will also enrol on and complete a recognised Level 2 VCA apprenticeship qualification or complete the IVC Evidensia VCA internal 3-month programme.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Maintain a high standard of inpatient care under direction of the VS or RVN.
• Communicate with the supervising VS and RVN on basic status of inpatients.
• Communicate effectively with clients when performing reception and client-based duties and maintain a high professional standard.
• Assist with setting up for clinical procedures and support the VS and RVN in all required procedures.
• Establish and maintain a good working relationship with all members of the practice.
• Always adhere to IVC Evidensia policies and animal welfare standards.
• Adhere to all SOPs and implement updates where required.
• Maintain a high standard of cleanliness and biosecurity throughout the building.
• Fulfil the obligations of the rota, sick cover/on call rota & bank holiday cover.
• Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, it is the duty of every employee to take reasonable care of themselves and others at work. This also includes taking care of equipment and reporting immediately any items not working.
• Support the practice with new initiatives.
• Carry out any reasonable requests made by members of the management team.
• Support the Veterinary Surgeon and RVN in all required clinical and non-clinical procedures (not to include performing work under VSA schedule 3 amendment order).

Duties will include:

• Monitor and record inpatient\’s clinical parameters, including TPR, bodily functions and activity, and identify changes and communicate with the supervising VS and RVN on basic status/change in status of inpatients.
• Ensure the highest standard of nursing care is always delivered to all patients under direction of the VS or RVN (not exceeding professional remit).
• Ensure the patient\’s needs are met via provision of environmental enrichment opportunities and meeting individual needs of the animal to reduce distress, pain, fear, and frustration.
• Provide psychological support to manage stress and patient anxiety, including stroking, cuddling, handfeeding, and providing comfort and emotional care to inpatients.
• Provide physical support, including exercising the patient to ensure opportunities for elimination and providing mobility support where required.
• Provide individual feeding support (hand feed, provision of preferred feeding bowls, etc.) to ensure the patient is receiving correct nutrition and support the patient in returning to normal feeding and drinking behaviour.
• Appropriately move and restrain animals for treatment and procedures, such as blood tests, injections, claw clipping, ultrasound, etc.
• Support the clinical team and client with end-of-life care and support.
• Assist with monitoring the recovery of animals post-operatively under supervision of RVN.
• Carry out cleaning and preparation of accommodation for animals, including bedding, kennel requirements for various species and patient conditions.
• Effectively carry out practice protocols, hygiene and biosecurity procedures, and support infection control procedures, including daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning to a high standard & recording.
• Prepare theatre and prep areas for routine and non-routine procedures.
• Set up clinical environments and equipment for procedures (checks by RVN) following practice protocols and SOPs.
• Maintain clinical equipment, including routine cleaning and care of complex equipment.
• Ensure correct disposal of clinical waste and comply with H+S and environmental legislation.
• Be fully aware of all Health & Safety issues and read all supplied information.
• Stay updated with preventative healthcare, product knowledge, and practice policies for accurate client advice.
• Cover reception duties as needed.
• Communicate with clients regarding feeding and discharge of inpatients from uncomplicated procedures.
• Maintain accurate client and patient records, ensuring GDPR compliance and current documentation.
• Dispense medication to clients and advise on home treatment administration.
• Help maintain stock levels, control, and rotation, including ordering and monitoring stock requirements.

The rota

This is a part-time permanent role working 30 hours per week, with shifts between 08:00-19:00 Monday to Friday.

Benefits include:

• 6.6 Weeks annual leave FTE
• Additional leave for your birthday
• Enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, surrogacy)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee wellbeing initiatives
• Non-accidental injury support
• Learning and development via IVC Evidensia Academy
• Pawsome Benefits – discounts and cashback with retailers
• Pension scheme
• Discounted staff pet care

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