Veterinary Nurse (Level 3) Apprenticeship – Companion animal
NEW LODGE VETERINARY CENTRE LTD
Peterborough (PE8 5LL)
Closes in 30 days (Saturday 31 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 1 October 2026
Contents
Summary
You will be working as part of a small team and will be provided with the support you need in both the practical work-based learning and during your theoretical learning. We are searching for a candidate who is enthusiastic to rise to the challenges of learning in a close team working environment while providing the best in-patient care.
- Wage
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£19,968 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
The first year wage for apprentices is £8.00 per hour. In the second year this rises to national minimum wage for your age group.
Week 1 Wage = £368.00
Week 2 Wage = 400.00
Average monthly wage = £1536.00 before NI/Tax as appropriate.
A one hour paid lunch is included in the hours listed above.
Please note that there is a 3-month probation period for this role.
- Training course
- Veterinary nurse (level 3)
- Hours
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Two alternate weekly shifts:
Shift 1: Monday- Friday: 07:45-16:45. 46 hours
Shift 2: Monday- Saturday: 09:00/10:00-19:00 (Friday is 07:45-16:45; Saturday is 08:00-12:00). 50 hours
Tuesday: 09:00-19:00 - College Day until 16:30 and work after until 19:00)
48 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 12 January 2027
- Duration
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3 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- You will be expected as an apprentice Veterinary Nurse to develop the versatility and skills required across all areas of the practice from Theatre work, nursing clinics, Lab work, inpatient care, reception duties and practice hygiene
- The provision of an exceptional standard of care is essential to this role
- Our nurses are trained to a high standard and provide excellent patient care and support to both the vet and clients
- We do provide our own inpatient care service as well as using a dedicated out of hours provider
Where you'll work
New Lodge Veterinary Centre
Red Lodge Road
Polebrook, nr Oundle
Peterborough
PE8 5LL
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE COLLEGE OF ANIMAL WELFARE LIMITED
Training course
Veterinary nurse (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Work within the requirements of the health and safety legislation
- Work within the requirements of the data protection legislation
- Follow relevant operating procedures and manufacturers guidelines when using equipment, materials and pharmaceutical products
- Communicate effectively, appropriately and accurately using a variety of methods
- Conduct nursing clinics
- Prepare and maintain all areas of the veterinary practice at all times
- Prepare records, equipment and resources
- Work in a safe and effective manner
- Manage and perform effective infection control procedures
- Provide nursing support as required
- Prepare, use, maintain, store and dispose equipment, pharmaceuticals and materials appropriately
- Manage own performance and development
- Take measures to improve performance and competence
- Engage in continued professional and personal development
- Use professional standards of practice to self-assess performance
- Practise in accordance with the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct
Training schedule
- You are expected to take part in a 1 in 2 week/weekend rota including inpatient care overnight and at weekends
- You will attend theory lessons for one day a week. These lessons will be via the colleges Live Online classroom. The Live Online classrooms offer real-time interactive lessons that allow you to engage with your tutors and peers. During online lectures you will be expected to participate in a diverse range of learning and assessment activities including live chat, group chat, breakout room activities, independent activities e.g. research, polls and Q&A sessions
- Online course materials - Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) provides a wide range of learning resources including interactive online lessons, revision and study support materials, recordings of classroom lessons for you to rewatch, an extensive eLibrary, access to journal articles and career resources
- Practical skills training - you will attend The College of Animal Welfare Huntingdon centre for practical skills training days; there are approximately 10 of these across the programme
- Off-The-Job Training Hours
You will undertake a minimum of six hours a week of off-the-job training hours, this is learning that takes place during your normal working hours. These could comprise of college lessons, working through online course materials, time spent revising for exams etc. - NOTE: The College day is not yet set and may vary subject to college availability
More training information
- Must live within a 20 minutes drive from the practice for inpatient care
- Must hold a full clean driving licence and have own transport
- After hours inpatient care is paid as overtime but may not be regular. During weekends on call for inpatient care, you must be available to attend the practice at short notice
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- 5 Subjects (grade 4/C or Equivalent)
- English (grade 4/C or Equivalent)
- Maths (grade 4/C or Equivalent)
- Science (grade 4/C or Equivalent)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Driving license
- Access to own transport
- Time keeping
- Honesty
- Dependability
- Commitment to role
- Adaptable
- Able to follow instructions
- Problem solving
- Independent thinking
- Keen intellect
- Willing to gain new knowledge
- Teamwork in small team
- Keen student
- Dedication and determination
- Previous experience (a plus)
Other requirements
Veterinary nursing is a fully immersive and sometimes stressful experience, the job involves excellent time keeping, the ability to organise yourself both in work and outside of work with college studies, to be able to work amongst a small team and have excellent communication skills, you will working with members of the public and must remain professional at all times. The hours can be long; there can be a lot of standing and the role can be both physically and mentally demanding. It is an active position that involves time spent kneeling on the floor, crawling to reach the back of patient accommodation and physically restraining large sometimes resistant patients.
Please note that the successful applicant for this role must live within a 20-minute commute of the surgery due to out of hours/on call commitments. Please DO NOT APPLY if you do not fit the above criteria as your application will be rejected.
About this employer
New Lodge Veterinary Centre is a proudly Independent family-owned practice.
We have a proven record of Veterinary Student Nurse qualification of over 10 years.
In addition as a VN training practice we will pay your college fees, VetSkill fees, RCVS Student registration fee and 1st attempt at all exams throughout your qualification.
We do not offer any accommodation/relocation packages.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
On completion of this qualification, you will become a Registered Veterinary Nurse and be eligible to apply to join the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ (RCVS) Register of Veterinary Nurses and use the post nominal term, RVN. Entry on the register allows you to legally practice as a veterinary nurse under the direction of a veterinary surgeon.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE COLLEGE OF ANIMAL WELFARE LIMITED
Justin Groves
jgroves@caw.ac.uk
01480 422060
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000056611.
Apply now
Closes in 30 days (Saturday 31 October 2026 at 11:59pm)