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Veterinary Nurse

Looking after the health and treatments of people's pets as well as larger farm animals

How this role makes a difference

There are all kinds of animals that need veterinary care in this country. Not only the common domestic animals that many of us have as pets, such as dogs and cats, but also larger farm animals including cows, alpacas and sheep.

The animals each veterinary practice cares for depends on its location, but each one is responsible for delivering preventative treatments, as well as reactive care in response to accidents or illness. You could be the technician who supports animals receiving treatments and advises owners.

The kind of work you’ll do

  • Preparing and maintaining all areas of the veterinary practice
  • Preparing records, equipment and resources
  • Managing and performing infection control procedures
  • Supporting surgical procedures
  • Preparing specimens for transportation
  • Taking and processing radiographs
  • Engaging with owners and taking good care of their pets
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Decisive
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Precise
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the role

A love of animals.

An interest in learning about animals’ anatomies and how their bodies function.

A natural instinct for supporting people and helping them understand complex subjects or ideas.

The ability to follow instructions carefully and complete tasks accurately.

A confident approach to assessing available options and finding the correct solution quickly.

You could also be right for this role if you have any of the following interests:

- animals and nature

- science

- caring for others

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*according to ONS

Future career opportunities

Throughout your career you could work at different types of veterinary practices, choosing those that support the animals you’re interested in and wish to learn more about.

You could work within a veterinary group and move around to different practices, depending on where your skills are needed. Or you could progress to training others.

How to get into this role

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:  

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

You’ll play a significant role educating owners about maintaining the health of their pets and will be responsible for keeping them informed when medical procedures are taking place. You’ll also be involved in a range of diagnostic tests, medical treatments and minor surgical procedures, working under the direction of a vet.

Discover
technicians who
do this role

Morgan Palmer

Veterinary Nurse

Morgan Palmer
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