Job Description
Posted on 01/11/2022
The Role
One of our Head Nurses is going on maternity leave soon, so a fixed term Head Nurse position is available at our Chalfont St Giles surgery. This is a full-time role of 39 hours per week including a 1:5 weekend rotation. We are looking for an exceptional RVN who can confidently support and lead a professional team of nurses.
We have found that it is very important for their team to spend most of their time working alongside them in a clinical capacity. This role is about 20% admin to 80% clinical as we have a Group Nursing Manager in place to help with the admin required in practice.
The overall nursing team consists of 17 RVN and 5 SVN's including 2 head nurses at the helm. One Head Nurse is based at Chesham and one at Chalfont St Giles. Our nurses are extremely valuable to us, and we encourage them to use all of their knowledge and skills to the best of their abilities, so the team is very ambitious and pro-active. We offer a good all-around experience for our Nurses, so everyone gets the chance to work in the different areas such as theatre, wards, and nurse clinics.
Salary
The Salary for this role is up to £37,000 depending on experience.
About Us
We are a first opinion small animal practice located in the picturesque countryside of the Chilterns, perfect for horse riding, cycling, and walking. We are surrounded by golf clubs and country parks like Wendover Woods, Black Park and Langley Park, all while being within an easy commute of London.
The Wheelhouse Vets are a fully equipped and modernised RCVS accredited practice striving to achieve the highest standard of care in South Buckinghamshire. We have surgeries in Chesham, Chalfont St Giles, Amersham, and Beaconsfield.
We are constantly evolving to suit our patients needs and client's expectations. We have endoscope, laparoscopic bitch spays, ultrasound scanner, DR and CR Radiography, Class 4 Laser, 4 consult rooms and an in-house Lab. We have lots of members of the veterinary team either engaged in or having achieved certificates in oncology, ophthalmology, physiotherapy, dentistry, anaesthesia, emergency and critical care, orthopaedics, small animal medicine, feline medicine, and dermatology. We also have members of the team with a special interest in animal behaviour and dog training and of course wellbeing.
As a practice we strongly believe in providing our team members with a nurturing and caring environment. We actively encourage and fully support team members' professional ambitions by providing opportunities to develop with regular well-funded CPD. The excellent care and service that we provide to our clients and their pets is very important to us. A big part of being able to provide this is through ensuring that our team are fully equipped with all the tools that they need and working in the best possible environment. As a practice, we actively support a number of different charities both locally and nationally each year including StreetVet, Marjorie Nash Cat Rescue, and Macmillan Cancer Support.
What does a typical day look like?
Each morning the clinical team attends a ward round that lasts approximately 15 minutes. The theatre nurse for the shift often leads the meeting by introducing each patient and procedure and then discussing who will be performing the procedure, who will be assisting them, when this procedure will likely take place and what medications/ pre-meds will be required. This forms the plan of the day for the team. We also present the teams for the day- who we have, what times they are working and in which department. We discuss any inpatients we may have and who will be looking after them. The inpatients are discussed in more depth between the case vet and the wards nurse after rounds.
Applicant Requirements
The successful candidate would need to be inspiring, motivating, supportive and provide clear leadership for our fabulous nurses. Previous experience in a similar role would be desired.
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
Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
Your birthday as a paid day off
Wellbeing
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 3 days paid pro rata
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
As a BAME and LGBTQ+ inclusive employer, 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.
If this position is of interest to you then please get in touch.
IVC150
Any questions before applying?
Speak to Michael Middleton from our recruitment team who would be happy to help you with any questions you have before applying for this role.
Michael Middleton
Talent Partner
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