Job Title : Lead Medicine RVN *£1000 welcome bonus, direct applicants only*
Location: Veterinary Specialists Scotland (VSS), Livingston
Salary: £33,000 per annum
Hours: Permanent | Full-Time | 40 hours per week (includes weekends & on-call)
Step Into a Leadership Role in a Thriving Referral Centre
We are looking for an ambitious and experienced Lead Medicine RVN to join our expanding Medicine team at Veterinary Specialists Scotland. This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated nurse ready to take the next step into leadership within a progressive, multi-disciplinary environment.
You'll play a key role in shaping and supporting a busy, growing department — while working alongside an exceptional team of specialists in a state-of-the-art facility.
About the Medicine Team
Our Medicine department is a busy and collaborative service working alongside specialists across:
* Internal Medicine
* Cardiology
* Dermatology
* Soft Tissue Surgery
* Orthopaedics
* Neurology
* Anaesthesia
Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We work closely with our Imaging team to deliver advanced diagnostics and procedures including radiography, fluoroscopy, CT and MRI — both pre-, intra- and post-operatively.
The Role
As Lead Medicine Nurse, you will:
* Lead and support the efficient day-to-day running of the Medicine nursing team
* Assist with medicine scheduling and workflow coordination
* Drive and maintain exceptional standards of patient and client care
* Monitor anaesthesia for a wide range of procedures, including emergency and critically ill patients and interventional radiography
* Conduct performance reviews and mentor team members
* Work collaboratively with Team Leaders and the Head of Nursing Services
* Foster a positive, supportive and efficient team environment
* Ensure adherence to practice and group policies
This is a hands-on leadership role where you will combine strong clinical expertise with confident, supportive team management.
About You
We're looking for someone who:
* Is an RCVS-registered RVN
* Has a minimum of 2 years' experience qualified as an RVN
* Is confident monitoring anaesthesia in complex and critical cases
* Demonstrates strong organisational and scheduling skills
* Enjoys mentoring and supporting colleagues
* Thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment
Referral experience is advantageous but not essential. Further in-house training and support are available for the right candidate who is ready to grow into the role.
What We Offer
We believe in supporting our people as much as our patients. Benefits include:
* 40-hour week (including weekends and on-call rota)
* Generous CPD allowance with extensive learning and development programmes
* Clear progression and personal development opportunities
* RCVS fees paid & VDS cover
* 272 hours holiday including bank holidays + an additional birthday leave day
* Access to Private Healthcare (opt-in)
* Subsidised pet care
* Enhanced equal family leave
* Enhanced sick pay
* Employer pension contribution
* Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
* Colleague pet area (with plans for future doggy daycare)
Wellness support includes:
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Eyecare voucher scheme
* Free annual flu jab
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Recruitment referral rewards
About Veterinary Specialists Scotland
Veterinary Specialists Scotland is a purpose-built, rapidly expanding, multi-disciplinary referral centre located in Livingston — just 20 minutes from Edinburgh, 40 minutes from Glasgow, and 15 minutes from Edinburgh Airport.
Since opening in October 2020, we have grown from 8 to 20 specialists and residency-trained clinicians across seven clinical disciplines. Our modern facility has significant scope for continued expansion, making this an exciting time to join us and help shape the future of the service.
Benefits
* £1000 Welcome bonus- for direct applicants only
* 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and Birthday Leave
* RCVS and VDS fees paid
* Funded external CPD
* Enhanced Equal Family Leave
* Wellness programme including:
* Employee assistance program
* Eyecare voucher scheme
* Free annual Flu jab
* Cycle to work scheme
Veterinary Specialists Scotland is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, we can truly be driven by our purpose, to create a better world, and think long-term as opposed to being focused solely on short-term profits.
At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6000 strong and empowered to speak up, step up and deliver quality services. You'll have access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities and an easily accessible, comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best – care for pets.
We are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse, we care about you and want you to be authentic, with everything you need to perform at your best. We are all individual but two important things bring us together: a commitment to excellence and our passion to achieve our purpose.
All applications with the relevant skills and qualifications will be carefully considered. If you need any support in completing your application or simply want to find out more about Veterinary Specialists Scotland, Linnaeus or the role please contact our TA partner Rebecca Coleman on
Salary Value: From: £33,000 per annum;
Salary Description: Salary from and depending on experience;