Student Veterinary Nurse

STUDENT VETERINARY NURSE POSITION

We have a very exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and keen student to train and study for the veterinary nurse (VN) qualification, whilst gaining practical experience working full time in our busy practice.

The applicant is to have a minimum of 5 GCSE’s at Grade 4 or above. Any further qualifications and experience would be most useful but not essential.

Our offer includes a salary with benefits scheme and 28 days holiday, including bank holidays, plus an additional day off for your birthday. Our rota allows for a good work/life balance & averages 40 hours per week, including some Saturdays on a rota basis. We are closed every Sunday & Bank Holiday and there are no out-of-hour duties, as we are a host practice for Vets Now, which provides great continuity for our friendly and loyal clients. Once formal training commences, students attend college (College of Animal Welfare in Barnet) one day per week.

Barton Lodge Veterinary Centre is part of the IVC group. We are situated in Hemel Hempstead (Hertfordshire), with lots of beautiful countryside around, as well as easy access to London and all major motorways and airports.

For details and a Job Application pack contact office@bartonvets.co.uk.

If you feel you could be a part of this supportive environment to become an RVN, don’t waste any time, apply now!

STUDENT VETERINARY NURSE - JOB DESCRIPTION

REQUIRED SKILLS, INTERESTS & QUALITIES

• Required GCSE’s or equivalent qualifications to allow enrolment as a student nurse
• Caring and diligent. Both to people and animals.
• Calmness and confidence when handling animals.
• Strong telephone skills and face to face communication skills with clients and colleagues.
• Empathy with animals but realistic, not sentimental.
• Willingness and ability to work as a good team player.
• Accuracy and prompt attention to detail.
• Ability and willingness to study for the VN qualification
• Demonstrating flexibility in your role
• Ability to accept or seek instructions but also to show initiative when carrying out duties.
• Punctuality.
• Energetic and good stamina if on your feet throughout a busy working day.
• Willing to carry out messy or unpleasant tasks.
• Administration and IT skills, computer literacy and competence.
• Ability to work off own initiative.
• Interest in providing best care to both client and pet.

NURSING DUTIES

• Assisting Vets with treatment and restraining of patients in consultations and in the hospital.
• Maintaining the comfort of patients whilst hospitalised.
• Medicating and monitoring hospitalised patients carefully and recording details accurately.
• Assisting in the Operating Theatre.
• Monitoring anaesthesia and recovery of patients.
• Cleaning and sterilising instruments and equipment post-surgery.
• Running in-house lab tests, preparing and submitting external lab test samples.
• Processing and archiving x-rays.
• Filing lab results and other medical documentation accurately.
• Assisting other nurses as needed and when instructed, including in nurse consultations.
• Ensuring patients are accurately ‘handed over’ between shift changes, with full treatment and care plans, both between Vets Now and our own staff changes.
• Admitting patients, noting full expectations of client and recent medication history
• Discharging patients, ensuring that clients have a full understanding of follow up care.
• Maintaining a clean and tidy working environment.
• Washing laundry, including patient bedding, surgical gowns, drapes etc.      

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Taking payments from clients after operations and consultations.
• Escalating client financial queries on to the appropriate senior member of staff.
• Learning to efficiently use the Statement and Payments functions of the Veterinary Computer Software.
• Learning to estimate accurately for proposed work either at reception or over the phone.

ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS

• Involvement with drug ordering, handling insurance forms and dealing with client orders.
• Scanning & filing of documents, lab forms and case histories.
• Dispatching or receiving goods
• Taking the post to the upstairs office
• Checking all reminders are up to date when you go into a pet’s record.
• Accurately updating and maintaining clients’ computer records. 

PERSONNEL

• Working co-operatively as part of a team of dedicated Vets and Nurses.
• Studying for and obtaining the Level 3 Diploma or Degree in Veterinary Nursing
• Attending college on day off as part of VN Course.
• Make regular time for private study (outside of rota hours)
• Be proactive with regard to college assessments and hand work in on time.
• Be responsible with regard to completing nursing progress log (NPL) and keeping it updated.
• Have regular tutorials with your clinical coach.

CUSTOMER CARE

• Answering the phone promptly to offer and make appointments.
• Using the appropriate Barton Lodge Veterinary Centre phone greeting and your name
• Learning and adopting our 5 steps Customer Care Training
• Responding to client’s needs in an efficient, professional and caring manner at all times.
• Referring customer enquiries to the appropriate senior staff as required.
• Advising clients only in accordance with the policies of Barton Lodge Veterinary Centre.
• Working in reception efficiently and politely in a team with other reception staff.
• Advising and instructing clients about the administration of their pet’s medication
• Communicating positively with owners about the care being given to their pets.
• Escalating any significant client complaint to a senior staff member or to the Office.
• To contribute to a high level of client satisfaction / low level of complaints.

PRACTICE PROMOTION

• Actively promoting Barton Lodge Veterinary Centre services including the Pet Health Club
• Offering appointments to new clients, gathering their details and emailing out practice information links.
• Familiarising yourself with the Barton Lodge Veterinary Centre Website and directing clients to register there.
• Offering clients information and promotional material online or at the practice.
• Attending practice events outside normal working hours.
• Taking part in Practice Open Evenings and Puppy Parties.
• Leaflet ordering and stock taking.
• To be efficient, pleasant, courteous, polite and helpful to all clients under all conditions at all times.

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT/ HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Assist in maintaining the cleanliness, to a medical standard, of the Practice premises.
• Working knowledge of all equipment within the practice or referring promptly to senior staff for assistance if necessary.
• Care and maintenance of all surgical and non-surgical equipment.
• Reporting all hazards, equipment damage or malfunction immediately to senior staff.
• To help maintain accurate stock rotation / replenishment and thereby avoid stock going out of date.
• Use of correct PPE where applicable.
• Correct use and maintenance of ALL equipment.
• Considerate use and maintenance/care of communal rest areas (kitchen and lounge etc.).