Values

Our core values are what make the practice a successful and fun place to work – we remain true to these values:

• Openness – we share information, we are open to ideas, we speak our minds.
• Respect – we respect the individual and aim to treat people decently.
• Engagement – our success depends on our commitment and the engagement of our teams.
• Dialogue – we discuss before we decide.
• Entrepreneurship – we innovate and look for opportunities to succeed profitably in a changing world.

Main Purpose of Role

To make animal welfare the first consideration in seeking to provide the most appropriate attention for the animals committed to your care using knowledge of animal physiology, nutrition and medicine with your practical skills to diagnose illness, prescribe medicines, and perform imaging tests, laboratory tests and surgery.

Responsibilities

• Maintain membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
• Be familiar with the ethics of the practice outlined in the RCVS Guide to professional conduct.
• Always present a professional approach and smart appearance.
• Assume responsibility for surgical and medical cases.
• Ensure that all treatment given is in line with informed consent and in accordance with UK legislation and RCVS guide to professional conduct.
• Understand and comply with your legal obligations in relation to prescription, safe keeping and supply of Veterinary medicinal products.
• Continually supervise, train and educate the Veterinary Nurses.
• Maintain personal CPD as per RCVS guidelines.
• Report to Clinical Director and Practice Manager any concerns of ability or misconduct from other members of staff.
• Follow practice clinical guidelines.
• Understand your role in contributing to the financial performance of the practice.
• Participate in practice activities and initiatives as required.

Duties

Animal Care:

• Admit and discharge patients for routine operations.
• Perform & record patient TPR’s.
• Carry out head to toe examination on patients – record any abnormalities.
• Administration of medication.
• Prepare & provide food and water according to the NCP – please use the RER calculation.
• Clean, disinfect and maintain to the required standard of cleanliness animal accommodation.
• Keep accurate records including:Update the hospital forms and computer.
  Bill any medications dispensed.
  Bill any procedures performed.
• Humane euthanasia of patients including disposal of cadavers. Being always supportive and professional and showing empathy at all times.
• Ensure the highest standard of veterinary care is always delivered to all patients.
• When passing the care of patients under your care to another vet, ensure a full and thorough handover is given, including discussion of medical notes and treatment plan.
• Examine and assess all inpatients.
• Write up all cases in full.
• Monitor hospitalised patients on a regular basis and communicate information to the nursing team, checking all pricing communicated back to the client.
• Obtain and handle samples as appropriate for the patient.
• Operate laboratory equipment and conduct standard tests and in-house bloods.
• Conduct x-rays using radiography equipment and basic scans using ultrasound equipment.
• Confidently deal with emergency presentations.
• Perform all routine surgical procedures within the practice. More complex cases can be discussed with the Clinical Director.
• Inform clients of test results and update on progress after treatment.
• Positively communicate to all clients on progress, results, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options and costs involved.
• Consider referral of the case if in the animal’s best interest.

Customer Care:

• Provide clients with a high standard of customer care and service.
• Communicate with clients as required – inpatients care/nurse clinics/reception duties.
• Attend to the needs of the public in a professional manner.
• Deal with customer communication including:Telephone calls
  Emails
  Letters

Administration:

• Have a basic knowledge of the financial targets of the business and commercial awareness of performance both on an individual and practice level ensuring that all work is correctly priced and correct discounts applied.
• Assist with:Stock ordering
  Stock rotation
  Stock Presentation
  Stock Sales
  Stock management
  Annual stock take
• Ensure the safe receipt of money.
• Maintain accurate client and patient medical records at all times to include computer updates, hospital and anaesthetic forms – these must be available to access on the PMS.
• Complete daily stat figures on the in-practice system.
• Participating in appraisal and reviews.
• Assist with training student veterinary nurses.
• Complete pet insurance claims if required.
• Comply fully with practice protocols relating to debt management and proactively take action to ensure the debt position within the practice is fully controlled.
• No credit must be offered to clients.

Health & Safety:

• Comply with all policies relating to Health and Safety.
• Follow and apply all practice protocols and policies as issued.
• Know and understand the practice emergency procedures and be able to carry them out calmly & quickly should the need arise.
• Assist in the monitoring and maintenance of all health and safety and fire prevention practices as laid down in the health and safety and fire manuals & policies and observe these in all aspects of your own work.
• Ensure individual animals, buildings & exercise areas are always secure.
• Report any faulty equipment, lighting, heating etc to the Senior RVN or Practice Manager.
• Ensure all SOP’s are adhered to in all areas of work at all times to include; surgical, inpatient, clinics, duties and weekend duties.
• Be fully aware of all Health & Safety issues and read all information supplied.
• Know and understand the practice emergency procedures and be able to carry them out calmly & quickly should the need arise.
• Assist in the maintenance of practice and patient security.

Practice Hygiene:

• Keeping up to date with laundry and organise.
• Ensuring daily, weekly and monthly cleaning is carried out to a high standard in hospital, kennels, cattery & the laundry room – record in the ‘Information Drive’ or health & safety folder.
• Ensuring the outside is kept free from litter & bins regularly emptied.
• Clean, disinfect and maintain equipment including surgical instruments to the required standard of cleanliness – follow all SOP’s in place.
• Correct disposal of clinical waste.

Consults:

• Start consultations promptly and avoid running over whenever possible.
• Ensure an effective consultation process for all patients by following the recognised basic stages:Preparation for consultation
  Opening the consultation
  Gathering information
  Physical examination
  Explanation of findings
  Planning care and treatment
  Closing the consultation.
• Ensure that clients are offered full and appropriate treatment options for their pets.
• Follow practice policies on charging for treatments, ensure that all work is charged appropriately.  Do not discount work unless approved by management.
• Price appropriately all clinical cases and inform the client of potential cost prior to treatment commencing. Estimates must be given to all clients and saved to file.
• Record all patient information, treatment, diagnostic reports and charges into the PMS.
• Respond positively to changes made and ensure understanding of the reasons behind decisions.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by management.
• Treat all colleagues and clients with courtesy and respect.
• Ensure the security of the premises when leaving.
• Be fully responsible for the safety of the clients and staff within the practice when animals are being treated or handled.
• Provide 24-hour cover in accordance with the practice rota (unless alternative out of hours’ provision available).
• Dispensing of prescribed medication.
• Keep up to date with preventative healthcare, product knowledge and practice policies so clients can be advised accurately.

General:

• Support & work effectively with colleagues within the practice.
• Attend training courses & meetings as instructed by the Clinical Director.
• Undertake any other duties as instructed by the Clinical Director which fall logically within the remit of the job.

Dress Code

• Vet tunics & appropriate trousers to be worn.
• Scrub suit, hat, mask theatre shoes or shoe covers must be worn in theatre.
• Shoes should be black but may be of any sensible style, which will not compromise your safety and comfort. Clogs are a suitable alternative.
• Trainers/open toed sandals/stilettoes/platform shoes should not be worn.
• Jewellery may be worn but should be appropriate and discreet. Earrings may be worn.
• Hair should be styled in a manner appropriate to the professional image that the practice requires the veterinary nurse to convey. Long hair should be tied back neatly.

Please quote the following reference number when you apply

RT16008