Job Purpose

To carry out nursing duties to the highest standard in accordance with hospital systems of work to ensure all animal needs are met and excellent standards are maintained within the Equine Hospital. Contribute to the examination, treatment, and care of both in and out-patients to facilitate the smooth running of the Hospital.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Organise and prioritise tasks in order of importance to ensure all patient’s needs are met.  Provide nursing care to multiple medical/surgical in-patients and out-patients in a hospital environment including administering appropriate medication, fluid therapy, application & care of dressings.  Liaise with nurse/clinician re all aspects of patients’ care during hospitalisation.

2.Provide nursing care to multiple medical in-patients (see above) in a busy hospital environment with a wide range of medical diseases/conditions.  Be able to recognise normal/abnormal signs. Be familiar with appropriate drugs and potential side effects for common medical conditions.  Be able to perform some diagnostic tests.  Liaise with nurse/clinician re all aspects of patients’ care during hospitalisation.

3.Maintain patient clinical records/invoices.  Ensure patient clinical records are kept up to date to ensure effective communication regarding patients’ status.  Ensure all chargeable procedures are added to patients’ records to ensure accurate invoicing information is available to the owner daily if necessary.

4.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.

5. Responsible for ensuring stock levels of drugs and consumables are maintained, ensuring the best value source is used for drug supplies and add new stock items to the computer pricing system. Maintain appropriate stock levels in the clinic, theatres and stable areas. Maintain both the pharmacy records and Controlled Drug registers.

6.Dispense prescribed medications and have a good understanding of VMD regulations and administration issues for commonly prescribed veterinary medicines including controlled and cytotoxic drugs.

7.Ensure hospital equipment and instrumentation are handled correctly, cleaned, and maintained to ensure they are kept in good working order. Maintain a high standard of hygiene, cleanliness and organisation throughout area(s) of responsibility.

8.Ensure patients are dealt with correctly and in accordance with the owners’ instructions and hospital policy.

9.Ensure all tasks are carried out to the highest standard and that Health and Safety protocols are adhered to.

10.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.

11.Maintain RCVS registered status by completing approx. 15 hours CPD each year and by ensuring RCVS retention fee is paid in a timely manner.

12.Ongoing supervision, assessment and training of non-academic staff  and students to develop their skills and ensure patient wellbeing at all times. This includes performing  staff and student inductions when they first enter an area of responsibility.

13.Any other tasks within the level of responsibility to their role as deemed suitable by their line manager.

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.

Additional information

Out of hours shared rota. Out of hours work over 7 days shared with the rest of the student nursing assistant team. Timesheets

**Please note, we accept applications from University of Glasgow BVMS students only.**

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 4, £23,581 - £26,038 per annum pro-rated to the number of hours assigned to, and worked by, you.

There are 4 positions available.

These posts are part time (minimum 10 hours per year) and fixed term for 4 years.

Closing date: 23:45 on  Thursday 20th February 2025