At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage nursing teams to provide exceptional patient care in a dynamic veterinary environment.
- Company: Join London Vet Specialists, a leading multi-disciplinary referral hospital in Hammersmith.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive mental health resources, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team committed to high standards of veterinary care and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while developing your leadership skills in a collaborative team.
- Qualifications: 2 years of experience in a referral hospital; Emergency & Critical Care certificate is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 37500 - 41500 £ per year.
London Vet Specialists are seeking a Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our team as a Lead Wards RVN in our multi-disciplinary referral hospital in Hammersmith. It’s an exciting opportunity to shape our inpatient care and wards as we continue to grow our team. The ideal candidate will have 2 years of experience in a referral hospital, with a further certificate in Emergency & Critical Care advantageous.
The Lead Wards RVN will be responsible for working collaboratively with the Head of Nursing Services (HoNS), Lead RVNs, Clinical Director and Clinicians across the hospital to ensure the efficient delivery of outstanding patient care, particularly within the wards & ICU. Your work will remain primarily clinical, to include wards nursing and care for inpatients across all disciplines, upholding clinical quality standards in relation to IV catheter, fluid therapy, feeding tube, central line, urinary catheter, wound drain and trach tube maintenance & care, nutritional management, anaesthesia recovery, physiotherapy and critical care nursing.
Your leadership responsibilities will include providing line management and training to team members, conducting performance reviews and inductions, SOP development and coordination for all relevant personnel working within your team. This position will also share patient flow responsibilities to schedule and coordinate case throughput across all departments of the hospital alongside the other Lead RVNs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provision of a high and sustainable quality of patient care by you and your team, primarily within the wards & ICU services.
- Prioritise inpatient care and the implementation of nursing care plans.
- Ensure the comfort and safety of patients undergoing investigations, hospitalisation and surgery.
- Take responsibility for the management of infectious cases, including educating other members of the team about infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases and barrier nursing.
- Provide leadership within the nursing team, and line management to those working within the wards, ICU & multi-disciplinary teams, to include recruitment, performance management, hosting meetings and rota coordination.
- Liaise with our Lead Twilight RVN on management of our wards throughout a 24-hour period, to include SOP development, protocol implementation and policy updates.
- Ensure accurate record keeping is undertaken, especially regarding anaesthetic and hospitalisation records in SmartFlow.
- Ensure equipment is appropriately maintained and serviced.
- Ensure effective communication is maintained within the surgery & anaesthesia teams.
- Work with the Lead Nurses, Team Leaders and HoNS to help develop a skills matrix for nursing requirements within wards, ICU & OOH (night).
- Assist with stock management within your department and co-ordinate with the pharmacy & purchasing assistant.
- Participate in team briefings and meetings to ensure effective and efficient communication.
- Take part in team reflections of incidents and near misses, to continually improve our patient care and safety, including Halo reporting.
- As a cat-friendly clinic, you will support the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) cat-friendly standards across the hospital.
- As a dog-friendly clinic, you will support the Dogs Trust and British Veterinary Behaviour Association (BVBA) dog-friendly standards across the hospital.
- Take part in a range of team committees such as our Sustainability, Culture & Wellbeing or Dog/Cat-Friendly committees, to both explore areas of personal interest and help to shape our impact, culture and standards as a hospital.
- Seek opportunities to maintain competence in other areas of nursing to ensure a strong level of general nursing capabilities are still achieved.
- Where suitable take part in role swaps to preserve this competence.
At Linnaeus, we are committed to supporting the physical and mental health of all our Associates. We have an amazing team of Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) across our practices and central support office in addition to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme which is available for everyone.
All applications with the relevant skills and qualifications will be carefully considered. If you need any support in completing your application or simply want to find out more about LVS Linnaeus or the role please contact our Talent Acquisition team.
Lead Wards Registered Veterinary Nurse employer: Linnaeus Veterinary
At London Vet Specialists, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises both professional development and employee wellbeing. As a Lead Wards Registered Veterinary Nurse in our state-of-the-art Hammersmith facility, you will have the opportunity to shape inpatient care while benefiting from comprehensive training, leadership opportunities, and a commitment to mental health support through our dedicated team of Mental Health First Aiders. Join us in making a meaningful impact in veterinary care within a dynamic and compassionate environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Wards Registered Veterinary Nurse
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the veterinary field, especially those who work at London Vet Specialists. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Brush up on your clinical skills and be ready to discuss your experience in a referral hospital. Show us how you can contribute to our team and improve patient care.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills! As a Lead Wards RVN, we want to see how you’ve managed teams or projects in the past. Share specific examples of how you’ve made a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our amazing team at London Vet Specialists.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Wards Registered Veterinary Nurse
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Lead Wards RVN role. Highlight your clinical experience, especially in referral hospitals, and any relevant certifications like Emergency & Critical Care.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about veterinary nursing and how you can contribute to our team. Mention any leadership experience and your approach to patient care.
Showcase Your Team Spirit:We love collaboration! In your application, share examples of how you've worked with others in a clinical setting. Highlight any experience in training or managing team members, as this is key for the Lead Wards RVN position.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Linnaeus Veterinary
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your clinical knowledge, especially around inpatient care and critical care nursing. Familiarise yourself with the specific procedures mentioned in the job description, like IV catheter maintenance and anaesthesia recovery, so you can speak confidently about your experience.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Wards RVN, you'll be expected to provide leadership and training to your team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a team or led a project in the past. Highlight your experience in performance management and SOP development to demonstrate your readiness for this role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the hospital's approach to patient care, team dynamics, and ongoing training opportunities. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
While it's important to be professional, don't forget to let your personality shine through. The team at London Vet Specialists is looking for someone who fits well within their culture, so be authentic and share your passion for veterinary nursing and patient care.
