Orthopaedic Registered Veterinary Nurse

Welcome to Wanstead Veterinary Hospital! Our largest 24‑hour GP hospital in the group is looking for an RVN who thrives and excels in the theatre environment, and is looking to step into an orthopaedic nurse role.

This full‑time (40 hours per week) RVN position would be ideal for an RVN who thrives in theatre, particularly when assisting in orthopaedic surgeries. Your rota will include an average of 1:4 weekends with TOIL and up to 3 bank holidays per year, plus a last resort on‑call rotation. You will be rota “d” to the same shifts as our orthopaedic surgeon, to aid an efficient and streamlined patient journey. When our surgeon is not operating, you will help support other areas of theatre.

This role would suit an RVN who has always felt the theatre was their comfort zone, and orthopaedics are an area of interest and expertise, although further training will of course be provided if there are any gaps. There is fantastic diagnostic support at Wanstead, with a CT scanner, a commercial laboratory, a strong medical team, and experienced surgeons routinely conducting advanced orthopaedic, soft tissue, and minimally invasive surgery all on site.

You will be working alongside a large team consisting of approximately 24 vets, 27 RVNs, 14 SVNs, 7 VCAs and a large front of house team who are integral in maintaining excellent client care. In terms of support, you will have a senior theatre RVN who you will work with to ensure theatre protocols are being maintained and continually advanced, as well as two deputy head nurses, head nurse and hospital manager who originally trained through us and has built up a wealth of knowledge and experience.

As Wanstead is our largest hospital in the group, this brings with it ample training opportunities, but also development and encouraging internal progression, as a large number of our nurses have worked up to senior, deputy and head positions over the years. There may also be opportunity to explore a Theatre Lead role in the spring if you wished to dip your toe in a senior role, which would of course also come with an enhanced salary for additional leadership duties.

Wanstead itself is on the outskirts of suburban Essex but has quick and direct transport links that take you straight into all areas of London, with Snaresbrook and Wanstead stations being a short walk away on the Central Line.

What we offer you

• Our RVN salary band is £32,000 to £35,000 depending on prior experience and allowing room for growth within the role.
• 6.6 weeks annual leave including bank holidays (pro‑rata if part‑time)
• 2 days paid CPD leave every year (pro‑rata if part‑time)
• Relocation assistance (where applicable)
• Generous colleague introduction reward (for the introduction of vets and RVN’s)
• 24‑hour Employee Assistance Programme
• RCVS and BVNA fees covered
• The opportunity to join our private medical insurance scheme at a reduced rate, as well as a medical cashback plan involving refunds on many routine medical costs such as dental care, physiotherapy, optician, chiropractic fees, and more

About us

In 2022, we celebrated our 70th anniversary and now have 46 branches, three hospitals and our own nurse training college. We value all of our colleagues, and our forward‑looking approach means we have introduced a Colleague Forum to listen to our peers’ views, as well as monthly Town Hall meetings with our board of directors communicating real‑time updates and taking polls with live Q&A to ensure we’re making the right, collaborative decisions for our people. All our senior managers are mental health first aid trained and we offer Wellness plans for all new starters.

If you can see yourself in this role press apply now, and within 60 seconds your application will be with our recruitment manager Rose. Alternatively, please feel free to email her directly at rstanton@goddardvetgroup.co.uk for any other queries or to simply arrange a call and have a chat about other opportunities!