Veterinary Nurse / Experienced Student Veterinary Nurse East Sussex

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Registered Veterinary Nurse or experienced Student Veterinary Nurse to join a brand-new independent small animal practice in East Sussex.

Offering a salary of up to £34,500 depending on experience and hours worked, this is an excellent opportunity to become part of a newly established clinical team and help develop a modern practice within its local community.

The practice is particularly looking for someone who can provide part-time cover on Tuesdays and Fridays, alongside participation in a 1 in 3 Saturday morning rota. There can, however, be flexibility around the working hours for the right permanent candidate.

With no Sundays, no out-of-hours or on-call commitments, excellent modern facilities and strong opportunities for professional development, this could suit either an experienced RVN or an experienced SVN approaching qualification.

Key Highlights

• Salary up to £34,500 depending on experience and hours worked.
• Registered Veterinary Nurse or experienced Student Veterinary Nurse considered.
• Permanent part-time opportunity.
• Tuesdays and Fridays required.
• Flexibility around working hours for the right candidate.
• 1 in 3 Saturday mornings, 9:00am–1:00pm.
• Weekday shifts currently either 8:30am–5:00pm or 10:30am–7:00pm.
• No Sundays.
• No out-of-hours.
• No on-call commitments.
• Brand-new purpose-built small animal practice.
• Independent veterinary group.
• Excellent modern facilities.
• Generous CPD support.
• Excellent opportunity to help establish and develop a new practice.

The Practice

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a newly established, purpose-built small animal practice backed by an experienced independent veterinary group.

The wider group has been providing veterinary care for more than 15 years and has remained independently owned throughout its growth, investing significantly in its people, facilities and clinical services.

As a relatively new practice, this position provides an opportunity to become an important member of the developing team, build relationships with a growing client base and contribute towards establishing the practice within its local community.

The nursing and support team is being developed alongside the veterinary team, with part-time locum Veterinary Surgeons currently providing additional clinical support while recruitment continues for permanent vets.

Nurses are encouraged to utilise their skills and take an active role across theatre, anaesthesia, inpatient care, diagnostics, laboratory work, nurse consultations and client education.

Facilities & Equipment

The purpose-built practice has been designed to provide a modern and efficient environment for both the clinical team and clients.

Facilities include:

• Digital radiography.
• Ultrasonography.
• IDEXX integrated in-house laboratory.
• Dedicated surgical theatre.
• Modern consulting rooms.
• Purpose-built inpatient facilities.
• Facilities supporting visiting specialist surgeons.

This provides an excellent environment for an RVN looking to maintain and further develop a broad range of practical nursing skills.

The Location

Located in East Sussex, the practice is well positioned for access across the surrounding area and benefits from good connections towards Kent, Brighton and the wider South East.

The surrounding area combines countryside living with access to larger towns and amenities, making it an attractive location for candidates living across East Sussex and neighbouring areas.

The Role

The practice is looking for a Registered Veterinary Nurse or experienced Student Veterinary Nurse to join the team on a permanent part-time basis.

The current priority is to find someone able to work Tuesdays and Fridays, complementing the existing part-time nurse whose working pattern is structured around childcare commitments.

The weekday shifts currently operate as either:

• 8:30am–5:00pm, or
• 10:30am–7:00pm.

However, the practice is prepared to consider different working hours for the right permanent candidate, providing some flexibility around how the position is structured.

There is also a 1 in 3 Saturday morning rota from 9:00am–1:00pm.

The varied nursing position can include:

• Theatre nursing.
• Anaesthetic monitoring.
• Surgical assistance.
• Inpatient care.
• Diagnostic imaging support.
• Laboratory work.
• Nurse consultations.
• Preventative healthcare.
• Client education.
• Supporting the continued development of the practice and its client base.

As part of a relatively new practice, there is also the opportunity to have genuine input into how the nursing service develops as the caseload and team continue to grow.

Rota & Work-Life Balance

The current permanent requirement is:

• Tuesday and Friday working.
• Weekday shifts of either 8:30am–5:00pm or 10:30am–7:00pm.
• Alternative hours may be considered for the right permanent candidate.
• 1 in 3 Saturdays, 9:00am–1:00pm.
• No Sundays.
• No OOH.
• No on-call.

The practice is specifically willing to discuss different hours with a permanent part-time nurse, although Tuesdays and Fridays are particularly important to complement the existing job-share arrangement.

The Candidate

Applications are welcomed from both Registered Veterinary Nurses and experienced Student Veterinary Nurses approaching qualification.

The successful candidate will ideally:

• Be an RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse or experienced SVN.
• Be available to work Tuesdays and Fridays.
• Be able to participate in the 1 in 3 Saturday morning rota.
• Enjoy a varied first opinion nursing role.
• Be enthusiastic about utilising their clinical nursing skills.
• Have excellent patient and client-care standards.
• Work well as part of a developing clinical team.
• Have good communication and organisational skills.
• Be keen to continue developing professionally.
• Enjoy the opportunity to help establish and grow a relatively new veterinary practice.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary up to £34,500 depending on experience and hours worked.
• Permanent part-time opportunity.
• Flexibility around working hours.
• Tuesdays and Fridays required.
• 1 in 3 Saturday mornings.
• No Sundays.
• No OOH or on-call.
• Up to 6 weeks' annual leave.
• Generous CPD allowance and support.
• RCVS and VDS fees paid.
• Loyalty bonus scheme.
• Staff recruitment reward scheme.
• Staff pets treated at cost.
• 25–35% colleague discount across selected pet-care products.
• Brand-new purpose-built facilities.
• Excellent opportunities for professional development.
• Opportunity to become an integral member of a growing independent practice.

If you're an RVN or experienced SVN looking for a flexible part-time position in East Sussex, with Tuesdays and Fridays available and an interest in becoming part of a growing independent small animal practice, this is an excellent opportunity.

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