The role of the veterinary nurse is critical to the provision of high standards of client and patient care.
In this role, you will be a key member of the nursing team, working effectively with the Clinical Nursing Manager to nurture great team ethics whilst providing guidance and support to the junior nursing staff and animal care/kennel assistants.
You will work closely with all team members to ensure the smooth running of all clinical areas and kennels and will have clear communication lines with all other teams to ensure the practice is providing outstanding patient and client care.
Main purpose & goals
1. Ensure the highest standard of care is provided 100% of the time to 100% of our patients.
2. Achieve the above whilst bearing in mind that the practice is a business and therefore costs need to be carefully monitored and managed sensibly at all times.
3. Maintain accurate client and patient records.
4. Provide an efficient, courteous, and helpful service to all clients, suppliers, and external contacts, under all conditions at all times.
5. Participate with the admission and discharge process of patients, the accuracy of which is of vital importance.
6. Demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development.
7. Liaise between the nursing team and other teams within the practice to ensure effective lines of communication at all times.
8. Promote our services, employees, and products, both in and out of the practice at all times.
9. Understand and implement practice and group policies.
10. Take an active role in the training programme of veterinary nurses and animal care/kennel assistants.
Key responsibilities
1. Undertake all general nursing duties within the practice and provide assistance to all veterinary surgeons when required.
2. Carry out and be accountable for any specific tasks or responsibilities allocated by the Clinical Nursing Manager or Practice Manager.
3. Ensure you are organised and well prepared for the patients coming into the practice and provide support where necessary to cover low staffing periods.
4. Administer treatment (e.g., injections, medications, fluid therapy, dressings, and euthanasia as directed) and dispense medication as instructed by the veterinary surgeon, all in accordance with professional guidelines and practice policies.
5. Keep accurate records regarding medical records, anaesthetic sheets, hospitalisation forms, etc.
6. Care for all in-patients including pre-op care/medication, monitoring and recovery, and post-op care/medication.
7. Ensure effective stock rotation/replenishment where applicable.
8. Participate in any out-of-hours nursing rota as agreed on a shared rota system.
9. Support with reception duties where necessary, reporting on the progress of in-patients to clients by telephone as needed.
10. Participate in the cleaning and maintenance of the premises and patient areas, particularly the clinical areas, with regular cleaning/routine care of all equipment to include the correct methods of sterilisation and reporting any faults or damage.
11. Provide support and assistance to the Clinical Nursing Manager and Practice Manager as required.
12. Assist the practice with any marketing initiatives which may include occasional open evenings or open days.
13. Understand health and safety risks and read all information supplied to ensure the correct use of anaesthetic machines and scavenger units, regular cleaning, maintenance, and servicing of equipment, etc.
14. Familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety Policies and refer any concerns to the Clinical Nursing Manager.
15. Welcome and support any visiting veterinary surgeons, students, and work experience employees to ensure safe methods of working.
16. Attend regular meetings with the Clinical Nursing Managers and other employees to ensure you are working effectively and efficiently as a team.
17. Participate in relevant CPD appropriate to your role plus any training in-house, ensuring post-training feedback forms are completed and where appropriate information is shared with team members.
Person specification
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