RVN - Anaesthesia Focus

Title: Referral Veterinary Nurse (RVN) – Anaesthesia Focus

On site: Bristol Veterinary Specialists

Location: Avonmouth, Bristol 

Salary: £31-37,000 FTE – depending on experience

Are you an RVN with a particular interest in Anaesthesia? We're looking for you to join our specialist veterinary team at a brand-new referral centre in Avonmouth. 

At CVS, caring is what we do. As a Registered Veterinary Nurse, you'll be at the heart of promoting pet wellness—monitoring patients' health, supporting their recovery, and offering reassurance to the people who love them. Because for us, caring isn't just a job—it's in our nature.  

We put our people first—because when you're supported, you can deliver the very best care. With industry-leading learning, hands-on training, and guidance, you'll have everything you need to grow your skills and confidence. Whether you're looking to progress in your current role or explore new career pathways, CVS is the place to nurture your future career.

Life at Bristol Veterinary Specialists

Here at Bristol Veterinary Specialists, we are looking for an RVN to work in our Anaesthesia Department. We are a multidisciplinary referral centre, based Central Park in Avonmouth, Bristol. Covering over 30,000 square feet, we are custom built with uniquely designed facilities and the latest cutting-edge equipment.

With Specialists in all disciplines able to treat anything and everything under one roof, our hospital acts as a flagship hub for small animal pet owners in the Southwest and Wales. Our excellent location is easily accessible from major motorways – M5, M4, M49.

About you

If you are an enthusiastic, compassionate individual that has a particular interest in anaesthesia then we want to hear from you.  

The right candidate will join a team of nurses, residents and specialist vets to deliver the highest standards of care for our patients. 

You will be a registered nurse either with anaesthesia experience or a passion for anaesthesia looking to expand knowledge and skills. The ideal candidate will demonstrate initiative and forward-thinking, shows empathy and exemplary teamwork. 

The role will consist of 4 x 10hr days with a set day off each week, on-call weekdays and weekends currently at 1:12 which may be subject to change but will never be more than 1:4. You will also participate in a bank holiday rota. We provide full induction, mentoring and support to enhance your skills and knowledge. 

Previous experience in referral nursing would be beneficial, but we also encourage applications from registered veterinary nurses with minimum one-year post-qualification, first opinion practice experience. 

The role involves planning and monitoring general anaesthesia and sedation for cases across the multidisciplinary hospital including but not limited to soft tissue, orthopaedics, cardiology, ophthalmology, neurology, oncology, internal medicine, radiotherapy and dentistry undergoing a variety of surgeries or imaging and treatments along with recovering patients on our recovery ward.

We actively encourage nurse led procedures such as arterial catheterisation and local regional techniques as well as participation in weekly book club and journal club, we also have a nursing internal education programme delivered by our anaesthesia specialists and residents. 

Benefits

As well as a great competitive salary of £31,000 to £37,000, we offer some great benefits as part of the CVS group including:  

• Professional memberships funded 
• CPD and further studies encouraged. 
• Up to 7 weeks annual leave plus Bank Holidays (or equivalent) with our Buy/Sell holiday scheme - allowing you to purchase an additional two weeks of annual leave 
• Long Service Holiday - Receive extra days leave each year in your first 5 years at CVS 
• Workplace pension scheme. 
• Mental Health first aiders. Our people are at the heart of what we do and your health & wellbeing matters! 
• Maternity / Adoption Pay – 10 weeks full pay and 10 weeks half pay. 
• Paternity Pay and Shared Parental Leave. 
• Cycle to work scheme, saving 25-39% on a bike and accessories! 
• Discounted pet treatments. 
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 365 days a year helpline to support you and your immediate family when you need it the most 
• Discounted UK gym membership with Gym Flex 
• Performance bonus scheme 
• Save as you Earn Scheme (SAYE) 
• Internal career progression and transfers available – with a network of over 500 practices, we can support you should you need to relocate 

Join us at CVS

We're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to do their best work. We foster an inclusive and equitable workplace, where diverse perspectives are invited and people feel safe to speak up. 

Wellbeing support is always available, from monthly line-manager check-ins to our network of 400 Wellbeing Champions, Pastoral Support Vets and personal mentors. We offer leading benefits and policies, such as our Health Shield which provides support for physical and mental health. 

Our aim is to free up clinical colleagues to do what they do best, so we offer practices a wide range of operational support. Central expert HR, recruitment, payroll, IT, finance, procurement teams are on hand to support with all aspects relating to the smooth running of each practice. 

We prioritise investment in our facilities, delivering significant enhancements across numerous practices through a dedicated multi-million-pound improvement fund. 

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now' button below. For further information or an informal chat, you can speak to elora-dane.hurcomb@bristolvetspecialists.co.uk to find out more.