Full - Time Registered Veterinary Nurse

Do you want to work in an independent practice where your opinion counts?

Do you like helping people by giving advice on their new puppy/kitten and building a relationship with them so you can keep their pet healthy and comfortable into old age?

Do you engage well with clients and have the ability to explain things clearly and simply?

Are you able to add value to the team beyond your clinical skills and help those around you to have a good day and get better at what they do?

Do you want to work somewhere where you are supported, valued & listened to by the management team?

Are you a positive forward-thinking RVN who has a good track record of delivering exceptional animal care? …….  If so, then please read on as we may just be what you’re looking for.

The fundamentals

100% small animal, first opinion, proudly independent, rural practice.

Situated in Upper Caldecote in Bedfordshire, just off the A1 with easy access to Luton Airport, London and Cambridge.

Our Team: 7 Veterinary Surgeons (including Director-owner and Clinical Director), 7 RVNs, 2 experienced Veterinary Nursing Auxiliaries, 6 Receptionists and a Practice Manager.

The hours make for a healthy work/life balance and the shifts are as follows:

Monday – Friday either 8am-4pm or 11am – 7pm (alternating 3 or 4 late shifts a week).

1:5 Saturdays 9am-5pm with the following Monday off.

No out of hours or on call duties.

Benefits include: 32 days holiday per annum (including bank holidays), two weeks paid sick pay, Pension and cost price veterinary treatment for your own pets, RCVS registration and VDS fees paid, £750 (ex VAT) CPD paid.

The role

This is a varied role where you will undertake all general first opinion nursing duties. These include consultations, inpatient care, nurse clinics, running lab tests and assisting the vets in theatre and x-ray. 

You’ll have good time management skills and the ability to prioritise and get work done each day.

You’ll manage your own cases to achieve better clinical outcomes, greater satisfaction and establish bonded clients.

What we can offer

A friendly working environment where you can make a real difference and are encouraged to develop special interests.

Support and guidance from senior vets at all times.

Continuous access to managers to put forward suggestions, discuss concerns, chat with, laugh with and cry with. 

Regular all-staff and departmental meetings and annual reviews (Pre-Covid !!)

A good work-life balance and time to sit down and eat your lunch and unexpected emergencies aside, leave on time too!

About you

You’ll be the type of nurse who can work with and help to advance our standards of care to improve patient outcomes and client consistency

You’ll enjoy working with the public and be confident in yourself and not embarrassed to discuss money, as although it isn’t our priority, it is a necessary conversation. 

We are looking for someone who ‘gets’ what we are trying to achieve and can fit our team culture and values because team harmony is very important to us.  We want you to be able to have a drink with us or go for a dog walk or party with us at Christmas.

We need someone who can work effectively with colleagues; someone who builds trusting relationships with ease; someone who can help clients understand what the right things to do is by communicating clearly and simply; and someone who likes to learn and help others grow too.

Equally, we want you to be able to accept that you will make mistakes and that’s ok, as long as you are honest and reflect and learn from them.

Ultimately, the owner and management team here care deeply about our staff and helping them to achieve their career ambitions. 

For more information about the practice, please visit our website at www.esmithvet.com. 

If you like the sound of what we have to offer and you think you have what we’re looking for, then please get in touch by emailing your CV and covering letter to Claire Daniels at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone Claire on 01767 627317 for more information.

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