Registered Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal (12 Month Fixed Term Contract)

Kernow Vet Group; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A veterinary practice in Devon is looking for a full-time Registered Veterinary Nurse for a 12-month fixed-term contract. The successful candidate will provide high-quality care and support within a friendly team. Responsibilities include inpatient care and nurse consultations. The role offers diverse tasks and golden opportunities for professional development in a welcoming environment.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle to Work scheme

CPD allowance

Discounted gym membership

Professional memberships coverage

Qualifications

• Confident in independent work alongside team dynamics.
• Enthusiastic about patient welfare and client care.

Responsibilities

• Provide inpatient care and nurse consultations.
• Utilize skills for Schedule 3 procedures.

Skills

Proactive care

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Education

Registered Veterinary Nurse qualification

Job description

Registered Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal (12 Month Fixed Term Contract)

Are you a passionate and proactive Registered Veterinary Nurse looking for a new opportunity in a supportive and progressive environment? Market Vets in beautiful North Devon is seeking a dedicated RVN to join our friendly team on a maternity cover basis.

Your New Role

This is a varied and rewarding role involving:

• Inpatient care
• Nurse consultations

We actively encourage our RVNs to fully utilise their skills, including Schedule 3 procedures, and take pride in developing individual areas of interest.

About Us

Market Vets is a well-established, two-site mixed practice located in beautiful North Devon, just a short drive from Exmoor National Park and the stunning North Devon beaches. Our practices are modern and well-equipped, offering in-house diagnostics, digital and dental radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, and therapeutic laser, which is regularly used in nurse-led clinics. We also have multiparameter monitoring in theatre to support high standards of patient care. With a wide range of clinical interests among the team—including exotics, orthopaedics, and feline medicine—we foster an environment that supports learning and encourages our nurses to pursue and develop their own areas of interest. Many have gone on to achieve certificates in their chosen fields.

Our Team & Culture

Across our two sites, we are proud of the welcoming and inclusive culture we've built. Our team includes 14 vets, 12 RVNs, 3 student nurses, and 11 admin and support staff. Several of our vets hold certificates in areas such as surgery and exotics, and our nursing team includes individuals qualified in anaesthesia, feline nursing, and exotic care. We actively support our team’s professional growth and create opportunities for learning that align with individual and practice-wide goals. We also value our role within the community, working closely with local charities, including a longstanding partnership with a local branch of Cats Protection.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for an RVN who is proactive, approachable, and enthusiastic about providing the best possible care to patients and clients alike. The ideal candidate will be confident working independently, while also thriving in a team setting. Excellent communication skills, a positive attitude, and a passion for patient welfare are essential. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys a varied nursing role and is eager to contribute to a collaborative and supportive practice.

Working Hours

This is a full-time role, working 37.5 hours per week. Weekday shifts are on a rota basis, with start times from 8:00am and the latest finish at 6:15pm. The current rota includes working 1 in 7 Saturdays, from 8:30am to 5:00pm, with time off in lieu during the same week.

You’ll also be part of our second on-call rota, providing cover from 6:00pm to 7:00pm approximately once every 7 weeks. This includes a paid retainer, a call-out fee, and an enhanced rate of 1.5x hourly pay for any time worked on-site.

Additionally, our nurses take part in late-night inpatient checks, currently three evenings every 7 weeks, with appropriate compensation provided for this responsibility.

Because our employee’s matter

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from –

Work-life balance

• 6.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
• Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing, including discounted gym membership
• Non-accidental injury support

Development

• £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid leave pro rata
• Certificate Support
• Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Access to Vetlexicon – our online encyclopaedia provider
• All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding
• Infection Prevention and Control Programme
• Quality Improvement Programme

Professional Memberships

• VDS cover
• RCVS fees

Additional

• Pawsome Benefits – reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100’s of retailers
• Pension 5% Employee/3% Employer
• Discounted staff pet care

Market Veterinary Centre, South Molton

The Surgery, Southley Road, South Molton, South Molton, EX36 4BL, United Kingdom

At IVC Evidensia we are a committed to Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging, we are keen to hear from candidates from all minority and diverse groups. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are keen to hear from candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions and would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process.

Any questions before applying?

Speak to Lovell Varcoe from our recruitment team who would be happy to help you with any questions you have before applying for this role.