At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide out-of-hours nursing care for small animals in a supportive hospital environment.
- Company: Join a leading Small Animal Hospital with a focus on teamwork and professional growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy 5 weeks holiday, mental health support, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and excellent opportunities for career development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while enhancing your nursing skills.
- Qualifications: Must be an RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse with experience in veterinary practice.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 16 £ per hour.
We have an exciting opportunity for veterinary nurses with an interest in OOH nursing care to join our Small Animal Hospital team. Working within a supportive, multi-disciplinary referral environment, you will play a key role in caring for hospitalised patients and providing nursing support across a range of specialist services. This position offers an excellent opportunity to develop and enhance your specialist nursing skills in a busy teaching hospital setting. The main purpose of the post is to provide out of hours nursing support within the Small Animal Hospital.
Responsibilities
- Weekend and Bank Holiday shifts
- Hours: 08:00 - 20:00 each day
- Patient care for hospitalised small animals
- Support for procedures across the hospital services
- Opportunity to undertake additional overtime shifts within the Small Animal Referral Hospital
- Exposure to a wide range of specialist cases
- Excellent learning opportunities within clinics
- Access to in-house CPD events
- Opportunities to expand clinical and emergency nursing skills
- Independently carry out nursing duties within the Small Animal Hospital wards to a high standard, such as monitoring critical care patients
- Assist with procedures for patients within the Small Animal Hospital
- Assist veterinary surgeons, students and other staff with in-patient care throughout the referral hospital to include restraint and support for clinical procedures and emergency cases, where possible
- Ensure an effective and efficient handover of in-patients during ward rounds
- Ensure adequate nursing plans and in-patient records are set up and reassessed as required in relation to the patient’s requirements, under the direction of the veterinary surgeon
- Demonstrate and perform in-house laboratory tests such as blood profiling and specific gravity
- Teach veterinary and veterinary nursing undergraduates, including clinical coach training where appropriate
- Maintain cleanliness and hygiene within the hospital
- Dispense and administer medication to animals under the direct supervision of a veterinary surgeon, maintain accurate stock control, follow all drug-holding, dispensing and handling protocols, and give clear instructions to clients when dispensing medication
- Maintain accurate patient records with all clinical notes, treatments, diagnoses, client communication and patient information
- Ensure that all procedures and consumables are accurately entered into patient records to keep the invoice up to date at all times during their stay
- Proactively identify and act upon opportunities for business improvement, and openly discuss problems to implement and sustain improvements that increase the value we deliver to clients, employees and students
- Maintain 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
We are open to discussions regarding working hours and welcome flexible conversations with candidates.
Qualifications
- Self-motivated and proactive
- Highly organised with excellent time-management skills
- Confident working independently and collaboratively within a team
- Passionate about delivering high standards of patient care, with at least one year in veterinary practice or the ability to prove similar levels of knowledge and experience
- Advanced Emergency and Critical Care (or similar) training
- Ability to carry out veterinary nursing duties as listed above
- Clinical coach confidence and experience in effective handling and restraint of animals
- Interest in advancing own qualifications
- RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse
- Communicating effectively with clients
- Ability to work within a team
- Ability to act independently
- Flexible approach to work
Benefits
- 5 weeks holiday per year (plus bank holidays) with additional holiday entitlement for long service
- On-site Mental Health Champions
- EDI committee and Employee Forum to ensure all employee 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 on-site parking and 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
Weekend Nurse employer: Langford Vets
Contact Detail:
Langford Vets Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Weekend Nurse
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the veterinary field, attend local events, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to veterinary nursing. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using mock interview platforms to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for animal care during interviews. Share specific experiences that highlight your skills and dedication to patient care. Remember, enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance of landing that weekend nurse role! It’s super easy, and we love seeing applications directly from motivated candidates like you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Weekend Nurse
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Weekend Nurse role. Highlight any relevant veterinary nursing experience, especially in emergency and critical care, to show us you’re the right fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for animal care and why you want to join our Small Animal Hospital team. Be sure to mention any specific skills or experiences that make you stand out.
Showcase Your Team Spirit: We love a good team player! In your application, mention times when you’ve worked collaboratively with others in a veterinary setting. This will help us see how you can contribute to our supportive environment.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to be part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Langford Vets
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your veterinary nursing knowledge, especially around emergency and critical care. Familiarise yourself with common procedures and protocols in a small animal hospital setting, as this will show your passion and readiness for the role.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your nursing experience, particularly any situations where you’ve had to work independently or as part of a team. Highlight your ability to manage patient care and communicate effectively with both clients and colleagues.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Come prepared with questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the hospital. Inquire about the types of cases you might encounter, opportunities for professional development, or how the team collaborates during busy shifts.
✨Be Yourself
While it’s important to be professional, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. The interviewers want to see if you’ll fit into their team, so be genuine and express your enthusiasm for providing high standards of patient care.