Registered Veterinary Nurse

Description:

London Vet Specialists are recruiting for a Registered Veterinary Nurse to join the team as a Lead Theatre RVN in our referral centre in Hammersmith. The ideal candidate will have experience working within a specialist led or referral environment in a surgery or anaesthesia focused role, though experience within neurology and ophthalmology are also considered.

About Us

London Vet Specialists originated as a boutique small animal referral centre in Belsize Park, North London and in May 2024, relocated to a new state-of-the-art site in Hammersmith, West London. The hospital boasts an incredible location on the banks of the river Thames, nestled within the bustling and thriving Hammersmith & Fulham neighbourhood. We now have a complete compliment of specialist-led services, including orthopaedic and soft-tissue surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology, anaesthesia & analgesia, cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, neurology & oncology.

Linnaeus is a forward-thinking partnership of highly respected primary care and referral veterinary practices across the UK and Ireland, comprising some of the best clinicians in the profession. Linnaeus invest in quality practices who put patient care at the heart of everything they do. Together we provide a growing community of like-minded veterinary professionals who are passionate about what they do.

Role Overview

The Lead Theatre RVN will work collaboratively with the Head of Nursing Services (HoNS), Lead Nurses, Clinical Director and Clinicians across the hospital to ensure the efficient delivery of outstanding patient care within the surgical theatres, catering the soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery, anaesthesia, neurology and ophthalmology services. You will work enthusiastically with the nursing team to help maintain a happy and efficient working environment. This role requires strong, decisive, clear communication and the ability to inspire and motivate the team in order to deliver the Linnaeus nursing strategy and achieve the hospital’s goals.

The Lead Theatre RVN will remain primarily clinical, to include surgical theatre maintenance, patient preparation, theatre assistance, scrubbing into procedures, monitoring of sedation & anaesthesia, the handling, maintenance & care of surgical equipment (including laparoscopy, arthroscopy & fluoroscopy), assisting with diagnostic procedures, nurse consultation, imaging & diagnostics assistance, stock control wards nursing, nurse consultations, accurate record keeping, client communication and effective teamwork. As a focused role, we recognise and appreciate your area of special interest & expertise and so your work will be scheduled and prioritised within the surgical theatres and associated disciplines; though may be required to help in another area within the capabilities of an RVN on occasion.

The Lead Theatre RVN leadership responsibilities will include providing line management and training to team members, conducting performance reviews, SOP development and coordination for all relevant personnel working within your team. The Lead Theatre RVN will line manage the surgery, anaesthesia, neurology & ophthalmology RVNs and theatre technicians, which is currently a team of 6. This position will also assist with patient flow responsibilities to coordinate case throughput across the hospital, alongside the other Lead RVNs and in support of our Patient Flow Coordinator.

Key Responsibilities
 

• Provision of a high and sustainable quality of patient care by you and your team, primarily within the surgical theatres.
• Provide leadership to those working within the surgery, anaesthesia, neurology and ophthalmology teams.
• Demonstrate an excellent work ethic and capability in all nursing duties, including a high level of hygiene and the ability to recognise and undertake relevant actions with regards to infection control.
• Maximise efficiency for the surgery, anaesthesia, neurology & ophthalmology procedures and cases through the hospital, including sharing patient flow responsibilities such as scheduling of diagnostics, liaising with anaesthesia, theatre and imaging use and adapting as required.
• Oversee and support inpatient care and the implementation of nursing care plans.
• Ensure equipment is appropriately maintained and serviced.
• Maintain effective communication within the theatre team.
• Work with the Lead RVNs and HoNS where required to help develop a skills matrix for nursing requirements within surgery, anaesthesia, neurology & ophthalmology.
• Take part in team reflections of incidents and near misses, to continually improve our patient care and safety.
• 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.
• Seek opportunities to maintain competence in all areas of nursing to ensure a strong level of general nursing capabilities are achieved. Where suitable take part in role swaps to preserve this competence.
• 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.
   

Benefits
 

• 5 weeks Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Additional Birthday Leave
• RCVS & VDS Fees Paid
• Enhanced Sickness Pay
• Enhanced Equal Family Leave
• Life Assurance
• Employer Contribution Pension Scheme
• External CPD Funded
• Extensive Free Online Linnaeus CPD Program
• Career Progression Opportunities
• Generous Staff Social Calendar
• Wellness Program Including:
• Employee Assistance Program
• Eyecare Voucher Scheme
• Free Annual Flu Jab
• Cycle-to-Work Scheme
   

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.