Veterinary Nurse – Orthopaedic Referral Service (RVN)
Full-Time | 40 Hours per Week | Salary from £34,000 DOE
We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) to join our growing independent orthopaedic referral hospital.
This is an exciting opportunity for a confident nurse who is passionate about delivering exceptional patient care and looking to develop their career within a specialist referral environment. For the right candidate, there is the opportunity to progress into a Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse role, taking on additional leadership responsibilities and supporting the continued growth of our nursing team.
Having moved into our purpose-built referral hospital just one year ago, we have experienced exceptional growth. As our caseload continues to expand, we are looking for a dedicated RVN who is keen to develop their clinical skills, contribute to a high-performing team, and potentially take the next step into leadership.
The Role
This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week across five days, with 8-hour shifts between 7:30am and 8:00pm, including a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.
The role will combine hands-on clinical nursing with opportunities to develop leadership and operational skills. The successful candidate will work closely with our Head Veterinary Nurse and wider clinical team, with the potential to progress into a Deputy Head Nurse position as their experience and confidence grow.
Clinical Responsibilities
- Deliver exceptional nursing care throughout the patient journey
- Assist with anaesthesia and peri-operative patient care
- Provide theatre nursing for a varied orthopaedic referral caseload
- Care for and monitor complex inpatients
- Support diagnostic procedures
- Provide excellent client communication and support
- Maintain the highest standards of patient care and clinical excellence
Development Towards Deputy Head Nurse Responsibilities
For the right candidate, there will be the opportunity to develop into a senior nursing role, including supporting:
- Day-to-day organisation and support of the nursing team
- Workflow coordination and theatre scheduling
- Stock control, ordering, and equipment management
- Nurse training, mentoring, and professional development
- Maintaining clinical protocols and practice standards
- Rota planning and resource allocation
- Service development and continuous improvement initiatives
- Creating a positive, supportive, and collaborative team culture
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Is a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
- Has a minimum of four years post-qualification experience (desirable)
- Has experience in referral, surgical, or orthopaedic nursing (desirable but not essential)
- Is eager to develop their leadership skills and progress professionally
- Is organised, proactive, and confident working in a busy clinical environment
- Has excellent communication skills and enjoys supporting colleagues
- Is passionate about providing outstanding patient care and being part of a growing team
Whether you are already working at a senior nurse level or are an experienced RVN ready for the next stage of your career, we would love to hear from you.
What We Offer
- Salary from £34,000 depending on experience
- 5 weeks holiday
- Private healthcare
- Employer pension scheme
- Paid RCVS registration fees
- An additional day of annual leave for your birthday
- Ongoing CPD and leadership development opportunities
- Support from an experienced senior leadership team
- The opportunity to shape and develop our nursing service as we continue to grow
Looking Ahead
Currently, there are no weekend, bank holiday, or out-of-hours commitments.
As our referral hospital continues to expand, including the planned development of our Internal Medicine service, weekend and bank holiday shifts will be introduced as part of a fair and balanced rota. Successful candidates should therefore be willing to participate in these shifts as the service develops.
If you are an experienced RVN looking to grow within a specialist referral environment, develop your leadership skills, and have the opportunity to progress into a Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse role, we would love to hear from you.
Deadline for application: 31st of July 2026
For more information about the role or to arrange an informal conversation, please contact our Head Veterinary Nurse, Tara, at [email protected].
Pay: From £34,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
