Equine Veterinary Nurse

Job Purpose

To carry out nursing duties to the highest standard in accordance with hospital systems of work and to assist the veterinary surgeons in the examination, treatment, and care of both in and out-patients and to facilitate the smooth running of Glasgow Equine Hospital.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Equine Nursing:

Prioritise and organise tasks to ensure patients’ needs are met. Provide nursing care to multiple medical/surgical in-patients and out-patients in a hospital environment, undertaking tasks such as administration of appropriate medication, fluid therapy, application & care of dressings when directed to do so by a clinician. Liaise with other support staff as required to carry our these duties. Disseminate information gathered at daily rounds to nursing team members, including the plan for the day, and ensure all nursing-related tasks are carried out. Liaise with clinicians re all aspects of patients’ care during hospitalisation. Be able to recognise normal/abnormal clinical signs in patients. Be familiar with appropriate drugs and potential side effects for common equine conditions. Communicate and provide advice to owners of patients, including emotional support and appropriate aftercare. Prepare theatres for all types of surgery. Provide nursing cover within theatre complex. Co-ordinate with surgeons and anaesthetist, to arrange surgery slots suitable to all involved. Assist anaesthetists with induction/monitoring of anaesthesia. Assist with assisted recovery of patients from anaesthesia. Prepare patients for surgery, ensure patients arrive at the theatre at the appropriate times, ensure strict levels of hygiene/asepsis are maintained. Liaise with other support staff in regard to the aftercare of each individual surgical patient. Cleaning/maintenance of instruments, diagnostic equipment and theatre equipment. Responsible for performing and assisting with prescribed surgical regimens, under the direct supervision of the clinician, including liaising with the laboratory for urgent results. Responsible for ensuring stock levels of drugs and consumables are maintained, ensuring the best value source is used for drug supplies and add new stock items to the computer pricing system. Maintain appropriate stock levels in the clinic, theatres and stable areas. Maintain both the pharmacy records and Controlled Drug registers. Perform stock takes.

2. Diagnostic Imaging:

Acquire radiographic and scintigraphic images that are of diagnostic quality..

Undertake training to become Radiation Protection Adviser, and further training as required to maintain status Set up and care of other diagnostic equipment, including endoscopy and ultrasound, and provide nursing assistance during use.

3. Teaching/Training:

Instruct veterinary undergraduate in a range of skills and duties relevant to patient care and operation of the Equine Hospital

Provide feedback on veterinary undergraduate student performance on rotation or placement within the hospital Teach undergraduate student practical classes and deliver assessments (OSCE & DOPS) following appropriate training

4. Nursing Administration:

Assist with the maintenance of accurate, up-to-date clinical records

Ensure all chargeable procedures are added to patients’ computer records to ensure accurate invoicing information is available to clinicians and owners on a daily basis if necessary. Coordinate the disposal of clinical waste.

Co-ordinate the disposal of out of date drugs. In the absence of the administrative staff provide cover for the reception, duties include, answering telephone, making appointments, preparing case records etc. Responsible for ensuring Health & Safety regulations are adhered to at all times when handling all patients, drugs etc; develop protocols and standard operating procedures for the hospital, keeping abreast of new developments. Ensure staff and students adhere to such protocols. Organise the nursing rota to manage the effect of annual leave on nursing provision and to ensure provision at weekends, Glasgow University holidays, and Public Holidays.[EB1]

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 RCVS Equine Veterinary Nursing (REVN) or Veterinary Nurse (RVN) qualification

A2 Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation

Desirable:

B1: First aid qualification required to be nominated first

B2: Training required for Radiation Protection Adviser role

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent horse handling skills

C2 Excellent numeracy and IT skills

C3 Ability to work largely unsupervised

C4 Ability to work well within a team when required

C5 High degree of initiative and forward planning

C6 Excellent communication skills

C7 Excellent organisational skills

C8 Ability to adapt nursing techniques/skills to incorporate latest developments

C9 Flexible working schedule

C10 Ability to supervise, guide and assess student learning

Desirable:

D1 Ability to use all diagnostic imaging equipment, and the ability to produce images of diagnostic quality from this equipment

D2 Ability to operate a range of laboratory equipment

D3 Ability to perform a range of nursing skills

Experience

Essential:

E1 Significant experience working as an equine veterinary nurse (REVN) or veterinary nurse (RVN) in a clinical environment

Desirable:

F1 Previous experience working in an equine teaching hospital

Standard Terms and Conditions

Closing date: This position will be advertised until filled

Salary for a Registered Veterinary Nurse will be on the Technical & Specialist Grade, level 5, £23,715 – £27,929  per annum.

This post will be offered on a full time (35 hours per week), open ended basis.

New entrants to the University will be required to serve a probationary period of 6 months.

The successful candidate will be eligible to join the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) Pension Scheme.

It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment.

We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equality.

The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004401.