RVN – Northumberland

Veterinary Nurse

Responsible to: Practice Principal/Practice Manager/Veterinary Surgeons

Job Purpose: General veterinary nursing duties including patient care, blood sampling, anaesthetic monitoring, stock control and ordering, client education, nurse clinics.

Reception and telephone duties.

Training of other staff in basic veterinary nursing, nutrition etc…

Assisting with stock control, health and safety, training of student nurses

Out of hours on call rota: 1 week night (6.30 pm to 8.30 am) and 1 in 5 weekends (6.30 pm Friday to 8.30 am Monday)

Any other duties reasonably requested of you

Job Responsibilities:

Nursing Duties

• responsible for the clinical areas of the practice (pharmacy, prep room, operating theatre and kennels)
• in house laboratory work; preparation of samples for despatch to outside laboratory
• preparation of equipment for surgical, dental and radiographic procedures
• restraint of animals for the veterinary surgeon
• anaesthetic monitoring of patients
• post-surgical patient care
• post-surgical clean up procedures including instrument sterilisation
• minor operative procedures, radiology etc. (dependant on qualifications, experience and confidence)
• routine operative discharge / owner education
• to provide accurate general health advice including advice on preventative healthcare such as flea and worm control
• weighing of dogs in the waiting room, and cats in the consulting areas. Dietary advice on weight control and Prescription Diet regimes.
• to create and amend computer records, to ensure records are accurate and complete
• dispensing of prescription medicines under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon
• to dispense non-prescription medicines and over-the-counter products

Reception/telephone duties

• obtain payments and give the correct change
• correctly complete documentation relating to payment such as credit card vouchers, third-party payment documents etc.
• answer the telephone
• take and record messages with full details including name, telephone number, company or address, subject, time etc.)
• make / change appointments for clients
• check the till as required. Comparing end of shift contents with day book etc.
• admit animals for operations, ensure consent forms are checked for procedure and animal details
• assist in training of reception staff in aspects of veterinary nursing care
• promote Well Pet Club

Training:

Evening CPD locally. Outside pharmaceutical company and pet food company representatives will give information on preventative healthcare and diets.  External CPD as necessary.

Veterinary Solutions, the computer software company, will be able to give training on Robovet if this is required.

Remuneration:

• Salary of £19,792.20 per annum
• Out of hours retainer of £600 per annum
• Out of hours: call out fee £25 + £18.45 per hour. Mileage paid at 42 pence per mile.

Holiday:

20 days, increasing one day per year to a maximum of 25 days after 5 years service, plus 8 bank holidays.  Pro rata for part time employees.

Hours:

Shifts of 7.5 hours long between the hours of 8.00 am and 6.30 pm Monday to Friday with a one hour unpaid lunch break.

1 in 5 Saturday mornings 9.00 am to 1.00 pm.  Time back in lieu.

Out of hours on call 1 week night (6.30 pm to 8.30 am) and 1 in 5 weekends (6.30 pm Friday to 8.30 am Monday)

My clients expect a degree of flexibility in the case of staff illness and holiday cover for both surgeries. They are a small team and some flexibility will be vital for the business.

The practice has a No smoking policy.