Registered Veterinary Nurse - Castle Vets, Reading
Salary: Up to £32,000 DOE
Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) - flexible hours and part-time options available
Rota: Weekday shifts between 8am-7pm, 1:3 Saturdays (8am-1pm), no nights or bank holidays
Looking for a modern, progressive small animal hospital that puts patient care and team development at the heart of everything?
At Castle Vets, we combine over 100 years of veterinary excellence with cutting-edge facilities, a diverse caseload, and a team that truly supports and inspires one another.
We place a strong emphasis on Schedule 3 nursing, and are particularly keen to hear from RVNs who are enthusiastic about developing their practical and surgical skills; including dental x-rays, scale and polish, stitch-ups, and other Schedule 3 procedures.
Our nurses enjoy a varied and fulfilling role, rotating through theatre, kennels and inpatient care, nurse-led clinics, and imaging and diagnostics.
You'll be empowered to make the most of your clinical abilities in a supportive environment that values proactive, hands-on nursing and excellent patient care.
If you're an enthusiastic Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) who thrives in a forward-thinking, well-equipped environment - this could be the perfect next step for you.
About the Team
We're a friendly, supportive team working within a large RCVS-accredited hospital, proudly holding Gold Cat Friendly and Silver Rabbit Friendly status. Our facilities include separate cat-only areas and an exotics ward, offering an engaging and varied caseload every day.
Our team includes
*9 vets - from new graduates to highly experienced clinicians
*12 qualified RVNs, supported by 2 student nurses and 5 ANAs
* Vet Certificate holders in Ophthalmology, Pain Management, Endoscopy, and Zoological Medicine. Nurse certificate Nurse certificate holders in Feline Medicine and Feline Behaviour.
We have an ECVS specialist in on Wednesdays so treat orthopaedics, Soft tissue and some neurology cases in house. We also have a referral ECC vet with a certificate in imaging that is in on Tuesdays, performing in-house imaging such as heart scans and providing regular training sessions for our nursing team to enhance their imaging and diagnostic skills
We're also a Vets Now host practice, meaning no out-of-hours or bank holiday work - just great work-life balance, with one scheduled overtime shift every other week. (This means you would be the one to stay if you were rotaed to overtime and a case came in therefore it is very rare that you have to stay late).
Our Facilities
*CT imaging
*A dedicated dental suite with x-ray
*Video endoscopy
*Advanced imaging and surgical equipment
*3 Separate dedicated wards; cats, dogs and exotics (2 incubators for exotics)
*Separate cat side - 5 cat only consult rooms and cat only theatres, prep and ward and cat only quiet room
*Separate wellbeing room for staff in addition to the lunch room
What We're Looking For
A qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) with:
*A passion for delivering excellent patient and client care
*A team-focused, proactive attitude
*Eagerness to develop your skills in a supportive, forward-thinking environment
*An interest or enthusiasm for Schedule 3 work and advanced practical nursing
Whether you're newly qualified or an experienced RVN looking to expand your clinical range, we'll tailor support to your ambitions.
Because our people 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
Wellbeing
*Private Medical Insurance
*Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline
*Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
*Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
Development
*£550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid CPD 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
Colleague Benefits
*Company pension scheme. IVC Evidensia will make a contribution as well
*Supporting a greener commute to work with a Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria
*Voluntary benefits: we give you the flexibility to choose from a range of voluntary benefits to suit you
*Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
*Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice
£0 - £32,000 a year
Up to £32,000 DOE