At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide vital veterinary care and support for pets in need every day.
- Company: Join PDSA, a charity dedicated to helping pets and their owners.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday, CPD allowance, and health support.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal welfare while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse with a passion for animal care.
The predicted salary is between 29970 - 36483 £ per year.
Make a difference every day with PDSA. Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA have provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people in financial hardship. We're on a journey to expand our reach to support even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape a future‐focused PDSA.
About you
We're looking for a Qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our friendly team at PDSA Edinburgh. You'll be up for a challenge and ready to adapt to the wide variety of cases we see at PDSA, no two days are ever quite the same. You'll be confident communicating with a wide range of colleagues and clients, and you'll enjoy sharing your skills, supporting others and leading by example in a busy, purpose‐led environment.
You'll play a key role across the hospital, getting involved in nurse consultations, inpatient care, dispensing medications and assisting in theatre, including Schedule 3 surgery. You'll take pride in delivering high standards of nursing care while keeping pets calm and owners informed, and you'll be comfortable working as part of a close‐knit team to keep things running smoothly.
Your passion for animal welfare will drive you to champion the charity, promote client contributions and keep an eye on how we use our resources, suggesting improvements and efficiencies where you can. The work is fast‐paced and rewarding, so we want you to have the work‐life balance that suits your needs as well as helping us deliver an outstanding service.
Work pattern & rota
- Approximately 3 days per week
- Flexible working arrangements available
- Shifts typically range from 7 to 8 hours, plus a 1 hour lunch break
- Typical start times: 8:00am, 8:30am or 9:00am
- Typical finish times: 4:30pm, 5:30pm or 6:00pm
- We aim to finish by 6:00pm each day, although on occasion patient needs may require the team to stay slightly later
About the Role
This is a varied nursing position offering exposure to a wide range of clinical duties, including, but not limited to:
- General nursing responsibilities
- Inpatient and ward care
- Dispensary duties
- Patient admissions and discharges
- Assisting with surgical procedures
Clinical Development Opportunities
We are passionate about supporting our nurses to utilise their skills fully and encourage Schedule 3 nursing wherever appropriate. Working closely with our veterinary surgeons, you'll have the opportunity to develop your practical skills through delegated procedures and hands‐on clinical experience.
Examples of procedures may include:
- Suturing
- Simple lump removals
- Tail and toe amputations
- Sedation monitoring
- Diagnostic imaging, including radiography, under veterinary direction
This role offers extensive practical experience and the chance to work across a variety of areas within the hospital, making it an excellent opportunity for a nurse looking to broaden their skillset and progress their career.
About the hospital
PDSA Edinburgh is a highly collaborative, effective hospital, a great place for teamwork, case discussion and shared learning. Our teams have varied clinical interests, giving you access to a wide pool of knowledge and experience when discussing cases and treatment plans.
Our Pet Hospital is modern and well‐equipped and includes separate dog and cat kennelling facilities, in‐house radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, piped gases and extensive orthopaedic equipment.
Rewards, support and benefits
We're really passionate about being a great place to work, somewhere people feel proud of what they do, connected to a meaningful purpose, and able to make a genuine difference every day. Our teams are collaborative and supportive, and we encourage everyone to bring their ideas, individuality and passion for pets to work with them.
As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people‐focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:
- Flexible working options to support your work‐life balance and individual circumstances.
- CPD allowance of three days and £500 per year for development.
- Payment of your full RCVS fees, so you're never out of pocket.
- Extensive internal CPD programmes plus discounts for BSAVA Congress and London Vet Show.
- 25 days' holiday plus Bank Holidays, with option to buy or sell an extra five days.
- Three paid special days off: Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day annually.
- Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.
- Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind.
- AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, with 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support you and your family.
- 10% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.
PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the recruitment process.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.
To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.
Registered Veterinary Nurse in Edinburgh employer: PDSA
PDSA Edinburgh is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and their owners. With a strong focus on work-life balance, flexible working arrangements, and extensive professional development opportunities, we foster a supportive and collaborative work culture where every team member can thrive. Join us in our mission to provide vital veterinary care while enjoying generous benefits, a positive environment, and the chance to grow your skills in a modern, well-equipped facility.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Registered Veterinary Nurse in Edinburgh
✨Get Involved in Local Health Initiatives
Dive into local health initiatives or volunteer at community health events. This not only boosts your practical experience but also gets you noticed among professionals in human medicine who may have leads on full-time positions like Registered Veterinary Nurse at PDSA.
✨Connect with Professionals via Medical Associations
Join professional associations related to human medicine, such as the Royal College of Physicians. Attend their conferences and networking events to meet potential employers in a relaxed setting. Who knows, you might just bump into someone from PDSA!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise Online
Build a personal website or a professional blog where you can share your insights on human medicine topics. This portfolio can catch the eye of recruiters looking for dedicated individuals for full-time roles like Registered Veterinary Nurse.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you’re still in or recently graduated from university, don’t hesitate to use your career services. They often have exclusive listings and contacts in the human medicine field that can help you land a full-time gig at places like PDSA.
We think you need these skills to ace Registered Veterinary Nurse in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for the Registered Veterinary Nurse at PDSA, focus on highlighting your clinical experience and any specific training you've undergone. Include any relevant placements or internships you’ve completed, as well as any certifications that bolster your qualifications in human medicine.
Highlight Your Soft Skills:In the field of human medicine, soft skills are just as crucial as technical knowledge. Mention your communication skills, empathy, and teamwork experiences in your CV and cover letter. This shows that you can work well in a clinical setting and with patients, which is super important in this industry!
Tailor Your Cover Letter Thoughtfully:Be sure to personalise your cover letter for the Registered Veterinary Nurse at PDSA. Mention why you’re passionate about human medicine and how you align with the company’s mission. This is your chance to convey your enthusiasm and make a case for why you'll be a valuable addition to the team!
Include Continuing Education:Make sure to mention any ongoing education or courses you’re taking to keep your skills sharp. In human medicine, staying updated with the latest practices is key. It shows you’re dedicated to your field, which employers like PDSA will definitely appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at PDSA
✨Brush Up on Clinical Knowledge
Since you're aiming for a role in human medicine, make sure you’re sharp on the latest clinical guidelines and practices relevant to the position. Be prepared to discuss case studies or scenarios you might encounter in the role. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also ready to apply that knowledge in real-life situations.
✨Demonstrate Soft Skills
In human medicine, technical skills are crucial, but don’t forget to showcase your soft skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork. In your answers, share specific examples of how you've worked effectively with patients or colleagues in the past, as these traits are highly valued in clinical settings.
✨Know Your CV Backwards
As you’re applying for a full-time position, your CV should tell a story. Be ready to discuss every part of it, especially your clinical experiences, the impact you had, and what you learned. Employers want to see how your journey has prepared you for this role, so think of it like you're taking them through your professional narrative.
✨Prepare for Ethical Scenarios
Ethics are a big deal in human medicine, so expect questions that assess your decision-making in tricky situations. Think about how you'd handle ethical dilemmas or patient confidentiality concerns. Prepare a few examples that illustrate your thought process and how you prioritise patient welfare in your decision-making.
