Veterinary Nursing Residency Programme 2025-2028

The Veterinary Nurse Residency Programme was developed to support veterinary nurses who want to achieve their Veterinary Technician Specialism (VTS), in a specific discipline in which they already hold extensive experience.

The residents will work within their specific area, alongside boarded specialist veterinarians and other veterinary nurses who are VTS holders. Dedicated time off clinics and mentorship will be given to the successful candidates to ensure they are fully supported during their residency.

The successful candidates will need to have extensive experience within their chosen speciality that meet or exceed the requirements of the academy. Please see below for further details of eligibility.

Residents will be involved with teaching and supervision of Veterinary and Veterinary Nursing undergraduates on clinical rotations. Flexibility will be necessary as the post will require participation in the weekends and OOH rota, including twilight and night work.

Veterinary Technician Specialism (VTS) opportunities include; Surgery, Emergency and critical care, Clinical Practice, Anasthesia and analgesia, Dermatology, Nutrition, and internal medicine.

Benefits and wellbeing

Our people are at the heart of what we do and as your employer we want to ensure we offer flexibility, support and staff development, where possible, through:

Time off

• 5 weeks holiday per year (plus bank holidays)
• Additional holiday entitlement for Long Service

Wellbeing

• On site Wellbeing Champions
• EDI committee
• Employee Forum – to ensure all employees voices can be heard
• Menopause Café
• Wellbeing talks and events
• Cycle to work scheme
• Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity pay (after 2 years’ service)

Health

• SimplyHealth Cashplan membership
• Free annual flu vaccination
• Free Specsavers eye test voucher

General

• Free onsite parking
• U2 bus service link to Bristol
• Employee discount
• Generous pension scheme – we match up to 8% pension contributions
• Reimbursement of one professional membership fee per year

How to apply

If this role sounds like the right fit for you, don’t delay, click ‘Apply’ and begin your career with Langford Vets.

Langford Vets is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

With mentorship you will be expected to meet the application needs of the academy of your chosen speciality and develop on advanced knowledge and skills for your veterinary technician specialism (VTS). You will provide clinical nursing support in your chosen area of specialism for the small animal referral hospital under the direction of the Veterinary Nurse Residency Lead/Head Nurse. Develop knowledge of and assist with clinical governance within the hospital and provide support and guidance for nursing undergraduates during their clinical rotations. Participation in a weekend rota, working early and late shifts with some degree of twilight work.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Carry out clinical nursing duties during rotations throughout the Small Animal Hospital, under the direction of the Veterinary Nurse Residency Lead /Head Nurse.
• Dispensing and administering (under the direct supervision of a veterinary surgeon) medication to animals and maintaining accurate stock control. Following all protocols relating to drug holding, dispensing and handling; giving clear and accurate instructions to clients when dispensing medication.
• Maintaining accurate patient records with regards to all clinical notes, treatment, diagnoses, client communication and client /patient information.
• Ensuring that all procedures and consumables are accurately invoiced on patient’s account for duration of stay.
• Participating in clinical governance activities for the hospital, including significant event reporting, M&M discussions, clinical audit, evidence-based medicine and reflective learning.
• Completion of both parts of VTS application e.g. part A & B or part 1 &2, and other CPD as specified during supported off clinic time as part of the Veterinary Nursing Residency Programme.
• Revision toward final exam as specified during supported off clinic time.
• Assisting with teaching of Veterinary and Veterinary Nursing Undergraduates during their clinical rotations. Acting as a mentor for Veterinary Nursing Undergraduates.
• Assisting with Langford Vets Veterinary Nurse Congress.
• Participating in the nurse rotas, to include different shift patterns: early, mid, late, and nights. Punctuality with all shift patterns is a minimum expected standard. Participation in a weekend rota + bank holidays.
• Maintaining a good working relationship with all team members.
• Communicating in an effective and pleasant manner with clients and colleagues.
• Carry out all other reasonable duties as requested by the line manager.
• Proactively identify and act upon opportunities for business improvement. Openly identify and discuss problems to implement and sustain improvements that increase the value we deliver to our clients, employees, and students.

Person Specification: Anaesthesia and Analgesia

The ideal candidate will have:

• RCVS registered Veterinary Nurse.
• Have a minimum of 3,700 hours* full time (40hours/week) working solely in an anaesthesia department within the last 5 years.
• Already have attended 20 hours of dedicated anaesthesia CPD from a board-certified veterinarian or veterinary technician specialist (VTS), within a 5-year period.

Job outline:

• 40 hours/week on average in the anaesthesia department
• Working early, late and twilight shifts
• Access to a period of off clinics time per month
• Will be supported in excelling their clinical knowledge and skills by working alongside VTS(Anesthesia & Analgesia) holders and board-certified veterinarians within the hospital

Person Specification: Anaesthesia and Analgesia (cont.)

The ideal candidate will have:

• RCVS registered Veterinary Nurse.
• Have a minimum of 3,160 hours* full time (40hours/week) working in small animal internal medicine specialist ward area within the last 3-4 years.
• Already have attended RACE approved 25 hours of dedicated neurology CPD from a board-certified veterinarian or veterinary technician specialist (VTS), within a 5-year period.

Job outline

• 40 hours/week on average in the ICU
• Working early and late shifts
• Access to a period of off clinics time per month
• Will be supported in excelling their clinical knowledge and skills by working alongside VTS holders and board-certified veterinarians within the hospital

Person Specification: Small Animal Internal Medicine

The ideal candidate will have:

• RCVS registered Veterinary Nurse.
• Have a minimum of 3,160 hours* full time (40hours/week) working in small animal internal medicine specialist ward area within the last 3-4 years.
• Already have attended RACE approved 25 hours of dedicated small animal internal medicine CPD from a board-certified veterinarian or veterinary technician specialist (VTS), within a 5-year period.

Job outline

• 40 hours/week on average in the ICU
• Working early and late shifts
• Access to a period of off clinics time per month
• Will be supported in excelling their clinical knowledge and skills by working alongside VTS(SAIM) holder and board-certified veterinarians within the hospital

Person Specification: Emergency and Critical Care

The ideal candidate will have:

• RCVS registered Veterinary Nurse.
• Have a minimum of 3,160 hours* full time (40hours/week) working in emergency and critical care in an emergency practice or a dedicated ICU within the last 3-4 years.
• Already have attended 10 hours of dedicated ECC CPD from a board-certified veterinarian or veterinary technician specialist (VTS), within a 5-year period.

Job outline

• 40 hours/week on average in the ICU
• Working early, late and twilight shifts
• Access to a period of off clinics time per month
• Will be supported in excelling their clinical knowledge and skills by working alongside VTS(ECC) holders and board-certified veterinarians within the hospital