Theatre Nurse (Fixed-Term)

We are seeking to employ a full‑time, fixed‑term registered Veterinary Nurse to work as part of our Theatre Nursing team, to cover a maternity leave vacancy. This is an exciting opportunity to work in state‑of‑the‑art theatres, working alongside renowned specialists in Orthopaedics, Soft Tissue, Anaesthesia, Cardiology and Neurology.

The Theatre nursing team are actively encouraged to utilise their skills with plentiful opportunity to assist the surgeons as a scrub nurse for complex surgical procedures, including total hip replacements, and carry out interventional radiography. Developing and utilising Schedule 3 skills is also encouraged within the theatre role, with opportunities for suturing after undergoing training. This is the ideal working environment for those wishing to pursue advanced qualifications such as the American VTS in Surgery.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a high standard of nursing care, a desire to learn and a capability to work under pressure. We are looking for a nurse with at least 1‑year experience as a qualified nurse. Previous experience in a referral environment is desirable but not essential. You will be involved with teaching and supervision of Veterinary and Veterinary Nursing undergraduates on clinical rotations. Flexibility will be necessary as the post will require participation in the OOH rota.

Benefits and wellbeing

• 5 weeks holiday per year (plus bank holidays)
• Additional holiday entitlement for Long Service
• On site Mental Health Champions
• EDI committee
• Employee Forum – to ensure all employees voices can be heard
• Menopause Café
• Wellbeing talks and events
• Cycle to work scheme
• Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity pay (after 2 years’ service)
• SimplyHealth Cashplan membership
• Free annual flu vaccination
• Free Specsavers eye test voucher
• Free onsite parking
• U2 bus service link to Bristol
• Annual CPD allowance
• Employee discount
• Generous pension scheme – we match up to 8% pension contributions
• Reimbursement of one professional membership fee per year

How to apply

If this role sounds like the right fit for you, don’t delay, click ‘Apply’ and begin your career with Langford Vets. Closing date Friday 20th March 2026 (applications may close early if we receive a high volume) Interviews w/c 30th March 2026.

Langford Vets is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Main purpose of the post

To support the smooth operation of the clinical activities within the surgery building by assisting with surgical procedures, administering nursing care to animals, promoting client communication and working within the Terms of the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct for Nurses.

Principal Accountabilities

• To provide specialist nursing support for all surgical activities to include Soft Tissue, Neurology, Orthopaedics, and Cardiology as both a circulating and scrubbed nurse.
• To prepare for and assist with the delivery of anaesthesia – to include anaesthetic machine checks, selecting and safety checking breathing systems and endotracheal tubes, assisting with patient restraint and placement of intravenous catheters.
• To prepare patients for surgical procedures according to surgeons’ requests and hospital protocols.
• To prepare theatres and surgical trolleys for use during surgery – to include preparing the theatre such as damp dusting, selecting appropriate surgical instruments and consumables, liaison with clinician in charge regarding requirements, ensuring surgical equipment within theatre (diathermy/suction) functioning and set up, ensuring pre‑operative x‑rays are available as required.
• Sterilising and maintenance of surgical instruments and equipment.
• Use of instrument disinfector, autoclave and ethylene oxide sterilising units – to include cleaning, lubricating and checking function of instruments and equipment, wrapping of single instruments/kits and consumables to ensure effective sterilisation.
• To provide nursing care to patients in the immediate post‑operative recovery period.
• Maintaining accurate patient records with regards to all clinical notes, treatment, diagnoses, client communication and client/patient information.
• Ensuring that all procedures and consumables are accurately entered onto the patients’ computer records to keep invoices up‑to‑date throughout their stay.
• Assist in maintaining adequate stocking levels of various consumable items.
• Assist with the facilitation and efficiency of post-operative radiography in theatre, to include setting up equipment, assisting with positioning and accurate recording keeping of exposures as per practice protocols.
• Assessment and supervision of BVSc and VN undergraduates during clinical rotations, including working as a Clinical Coach (including attending yearly standardisation) and professional mentor for nursing students.
• Participation in the on‑call rota, including a share of weekends and bank holidays, as required by your line manager, to include annual leave cover for the twilight theatre nurse positions, shared fairly across theatre team.
• Flexibility is key to this role, to provide support to the service and caseload.
• Responsible for keeping themselves and others safe, reporting accidents, near misses and hazards and adhering to health and safety requirements and policies as required by the business/their line manager.
• Proactively identify and act upon opportunities for business improvement.
• Openly identify and discuss problems in order to implement and sustain improvements that increase the value we deliver to our clients, employees, and students.
• Maintaining a good working relationship with all team members.
• Communicate in an effective and pleasant manner with clients and colleagues.
• Carry out all other reasonable duties as requested by the line manager.