Animal Nursing Assistant

Here at Galemire, we are looking for a confident and caring Animal Nursing Assistant to join our fantastic team!

Your role will involve delivering a high standard of nursing support to inpatients, either directly or by supporting clinical team members under the direction of a VS or RVN. You will also support non-clinical staff with common daily procedures to ensure that the client and patient journey is of the highest quality. Additionally, you will perform duties and responsibilities helping to ensure that the clinical environment is maintained and biosecurity and H+S regulations are followed within practice. You will also enrol on and complete a recognised Level 2 VCA apprenticeship qualification or complete the IVC Evidensia VCA internal 3-month programme.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Maintain a high standard of inpatient care under direction of the VS or RVN.
• Communicate with the supervising VS and RVN on basic status of inpatients.
• Communicate effectively with clients when performing reception and client-based duties and maintain a high professional standard.
• Assist with setting up for clinical procedures and support the VS and RVN in all required procedures.
• Establish and maintain a good working relationship with all members of the practice.
• Always adhere to IVC Evidensia policies and animal welfare standards.
• Adhere to all SOP’s and implement updates where required.
• Maintain a high standard of cleanliness and biosecurity throughout the building.
• Fulfil the obligations of the rota, sick cover/on call rota & bank holiday cover.
• Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, it is the duty of every employee to take reasonable care of themselves and others at work. This also includes taking care of equipment and reporting immediately any items not working.
• Support the practice with new initiatives.
• Carry out any reasonable requests made by members of the management team.
• Support the Veterinary Surgeon and RVN in all required clinical and non-clinical procedures (not to include performing work under VSA schedule 3 amendment order).

Duties will include:

• Monitor and recording inpatient’s clinical parameters, including TPR, bodily functions and activity and identifying changes and communicate with the supervising VS and RVN on basic status/change in status of inpatients.
• Ensure the highest standard of nursing care is always delivered to all patients under direction of the VS or RVN (not exceeding professional remit).
• Ensure the patient’s needs are met via provision of environmental enrichment opportunities and meeting individual needs of the animal to reduce distress, pain, fear and frustration.
• Provide psychological support to manage stress and patient anxiety, to include stroking, cuddling, handfeeding, and providing comfort and emotional care to inpatients.
• Provide physical support, including exercising the patient to ensure opportunities for elimination and providing mobility support where required.
• Provide individual feeding support (hand feed, provision of preferred feeding bowls etc) to ensure the patient is receiving correct nutrition and support the patient in getting back to normal feeding and drinking behaviour.
• Appropriately move and restrain animals for treatment and procedures, this may include for blood tests, injections, claw clipping, ultrasound, etc.
• Support the clinical team and client with end-of-life care and support.
• Assist with monitoring the recovery of animals post operatively under supervision of RVN.
• Carry out cleaning and preparation of accommodation for animals, including choice of bedding, kennel requirements for various species and patient conditions.
• Effectively carry out practice protocols, hygiene and biosecurity procedures and support and implement infection control procedures including ensuring daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning is carried out to a high standard & recorded.
• Prepare theatre and prep areas for specified routine and non-routine procedures
• Be competent in setting up clinical environments and associated equipment (checks to be made by RVN) for a range of clinical and surgical procedures and adhere to practice protocols and SOPs.
• Be competent in the care and maintenance of clinical equipment, including routine cleaning and care of complex equipment.
• Ensure correct disposal of clinical waste and comply with H+S and environmental legislation.
• Be fully aware of all Health & Safety issues and read all information supplied.
• Keep up to date with preventative healthcare, product knowledge and practice policies so clients can be advised accurately.
• Cover reception duties as and when required.
• Communicate with clients regarding feeding and discharge of inpatients from non-complicated procedures.
• Maintain accurate client and patient records and ensure GDPRR is followed, and all practice record keeping is accurate and current.
• Dispense medication to clients and provide advice on home administration of treatment.
• Help to maintain stock levels and ensure effective stock control and rotation, this may include ordering and monitoring of stock requirements.

The rota

This is a part-time permanent role working 30 hours per week. There will be various shifts between 08.00-19.00 Monday to Friday.

In addition to a competitive salary, you will benefit from:

• 6.6Weeks annual leave FTE
• Additional annual leave for your birthday which will be added to your holiday allowance
• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/ paternity/ adoption/ shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Cycle to work scheme
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
• Non-accidental injury support
• Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Pawsome Benefits – reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100\’s of retailers
• Discounted staff pet care

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