Veterinary Nurse in Glasgow

Job Advert

Curious about life in a fast-paced referral hospital? Here’s your chance to find out. We’re offering an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and compassionate veterinary nurse to join our dynamic team.

At the Small Animal Hospital, you’ll be part of a collaborative and supportive environment where your clinical skills will be fully utilised and developed. You’ll rotate through a variety of specialist areas including:

• Surgical, medical, and feline wards
• Theatre complex (including anaesthesia)
• Oncology
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• Receiving services (Surgery, Neurology, Internal Medicine)

This role is ideal for a motivated individual eager to deliver exceptional patient care and explore the diverse world of hospital nursing. While previous referral experience is desirable, it’s not essential—we provide comprehensive training and mentorship to help you thrive.

Why join us?

We offer a fantastic benefits package, including:

• 35-hour flexible working week (Full time) / 21 hours per week (Part time)
• 41 days of leave (including public holidays)
• Competitive pension scheme
• 20% staff discount on veterinary services and products
• CPD allowance and subsidised further education
• A supportive and inclusive working environment
• 24/7 confidential employee support service and wellbeing app
• Exclusive staff discounts from high street retailers

Additional Info

• Participation in the Bank Holiday rota is required (with additional pay)
• Weekend working - 1 in 4, with 2 days off during the week
• We have full time and part time positions available; please specify in your cover letter which you are applying for

Interested?

We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re exploring a new direction or ready to take the next step in your nursing career, get in touch for an informal chat:

Sharon Smith – 0141 330 5391

Email: sah-nursingenquiries@glasgow.ac.uk

Job Purpose

Provide a focus between clients, veterinary surgeons, nursing staff and students. Carry out nursing duties to the highest standard.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Nursing

   Responsible for providing and overseeing the complete nursing care of patients within a recognised specialism in a busy hospital environment. Prioritise patient care and manage an unpredictable and high intensity workload. Problem solve to ensure best patient care outcomes. Perform a variety of advanced nursing skills including monitoring and maintenance of general anaesthesia, radiography, Schedule 3 procedures, dispensing controlled drugs (CD) and maintaining the CD register and operating a range of laboratory, monitoring and diagnostic equipment. Perform nursing clinical examination to in-patients and for patients arriving for emergency appointments. Provide first aid interventions pending clinician assessment. Recognise deterioration and improvement in patient status and know when to adjust care plan requirements and when to communicate changes to the clinician in charge. Interpret a range of laboratory test results and know when results need to be immediately reported to clinician in charge of case. Disseminate information gathered at daily rounds to team members. Responsible for performing and assisting with prescribed treatment regimens under the direction of the clinician or senior veterinary nurse. Communicate with external and internal parties including referring vets, clients, clinical pathology laboratory and the postmortem room. Respond to advice calls and either deal with the call where appropriate or collect the appropriate information and pass it to the relevant clinician. Triage out-of-hours emergency calls and make appropriate decisions regarding emergency cases, liaising with the duty vet as required. Responsible for co-ordinating, where appropriate, out-patient clinics or clinical investigations. Support services by performing nursing consultations within area of specialism, providing expert nursing advice to clients. Assist referring vets in managing patients and contact practices to get further information on cases as required by the clinicians. Deputising for Senior Nurse when absent as directed by the line manager, by supervising area(s) and performing senior nursing tasks with regard to the clinics and inpatients as required. Employ effective use of consumables within the SAH and ensure appropriate stock levels are maintained. Ensure hospital equipment and instrumentation is handled correctly, cleaned, and maintained to ensure it is kept in good working order. Ensure deceased patients are dealt with correctly and in accordance with the owners instructions and hospital policy. Provide clinical nursing cover in all areas of the SAH at weekends & Bank Holidays on a rotational basis. Maintain a high standard of hygiene, cleanliness and organisation throughout area(s) of responsibility. Dispense prescribed medications and have a good understanding of regulatory requirements and administration issues for commonly prescribed veterinary medicines including controlled and cytotoxic drugs. Supervise and direct veterinary care assistants and students working in area(s) of responsibility. Ensure all tasks are carried out to the highest standard and that Health and Safety protocols are adhered to. Create accurate and complete client invoices in time for patient discharge to ensure prompt payment is received. Monitor outstanding invoices and bring large outstanding debts to the attention of finance administrators. Maintain RCVS registered status by completing CPD each year and by ensuring retention fees are paid in a timely manner.

2. Teaching/Training

   Ongoing supervision and training of non-academic staff and students to develop their skills and ensure patient wellbeing. Assist and support student veterinary nurses with completion of their Nursing Progress Log (NPL). Assessment of veterinary students during DOPs and OSCE assessments. Perform the staff and student inductions when they first enter area of responsibility. Supervise all non-academic staff and students within area of responsibility.

3. Administration

   Maintain paper and electronic patient records, ensuring that all documents are completed fully and in a timely manner. Responsible for ensuring Health & Safety regulations are adhered to by all staff and students at all times when performing all duties to reduce the risk of infection or injury. Develop protocols, standard operating procedures and information booklets for the clinic and for clients, keeping abreast of new developments. Ensure staff and students are familiar with such protocols. Perform administrative duties out-of-hours including registering new clients, making appointments, creating client invoices and taking payments. Responsible for updating invoices and ensuring clinicians and clients are notified when agreed quotation limits are being reached. To accurately complete insurance forms within an area of appropriate specialism as required. Communicate with clients and insurance companies regarding claims when required. When delegated by the Line Manager, take responsibility for ensuring that there is an adequate staffing level in area(s) of responsibility in the event of sickness or absence of a Senior Nurse.

4. Research

   Assist with data collection for teaching and research purposes.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

• A1 RCVS Veterinary Nursing qualification and fully registered.
• A2 Knowledge of many aspects of veterinary nursing, protocols and procedures to ensure the highest standard of care.
• A3 Knowledge of current Health & Safety Legislation.

Desirable:

• B2 Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing or Degree in Veterinary Nursing
• B3 Clinical Coach experience or be willing to undertake this training if required.

Skills

Essential:

• C1 Evidenced ability to perform a range of nursing skills.
• C2 Evidenced ability to work largely unsupervised.
• C3 Evidenced ability to work well within a team.
• C4 High degree of initiative and forward planning.
• C5 Excellent communication skills.
• C6 Excellent organisational skills.
• C7 Evidenced ability to adapt nursing techniques/skills to incorporate latest developments.

Desirable:

• D1 Good IT skills.
• D2 Ability to operate a range of laboratory and diagnostic equipment.

Experience

Essential:

• E1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the knowledge and skills in a previous veterinary nurse role.

Desirable:

• F1 Experience of working in a veterinary hospital.
• F2 Experience supervising and instructing veterinary or veterinary nursing students.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £27,319 - £31,236 per annum, pro rata where appropriate, plus 6% weekend shift allowance.

We have 2 full-time positions (35 hours per week) and one part-time position (3 days, 21 hours per week) and all are open-ended (permanent). Please specify in your cover letter which you are applying for.

Flexibility is required: To cover shifts Monday to Sunday. Participation in the Bank Holiday rota is required (with additional pay). Weekend working - 1 in 4, with 2 days off during the week.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect: 1) A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared. 2) An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full-time staff, a pension, benefits and discount packages. 3) A flexible approach to working. 4) A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.

We believe that equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are welcome from across communities and in particular people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and other protected characteristics. Read more on equality and diversity within our community. We endorse Athena Swan and hold awards across the University. For more information, please visit the University website.

Closing date: 23:45 on Wednesday 24th September 2025