Advanced Apprenticeship in Veterinary Nursing Companion Animal (Level 3)

NEW LODGE VETERINARY CENTRE LTD

Peterborough (PE8 5LL)

Closes in 29 days (Saturday 4 October 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 4 September 2025


Summary

A variety of training will take place, including on-the-job training at the Veterinary Centre, where you will be under supervision from a Registered Veterinary Nurse, Veterinary Surgeon and other Student Apprentice Veterinary Nurses. Become a Qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse with our help and support, as previous apprentices have done.

Wage

£18,844.80 to £30,476.16, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Rota week one: £347.30; Rota week two: £377.50 (average £1449.60 per month before tax) for 16-18 and 19+ years old apprentices in their first year of their apprenticeship. For all other apprentices, the NMW appropriate to their age applies.

Training course
Veterinary nurse (level 3)
Hours
Rota 1: 8.00am – 5.00pm Mon-Fri (4 days), plus one day college attendance and in patient care overnight as required on college day. Rota 2: 10.00am -7.00pm Mon-Fri and in patient care overnight that week as required, apart from one weekday

48 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 6 January 2026

Duration

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

  • As part of our small team, we aim to provide the one-to-one support you will need both at the practical work-based learning and during your college studies. 
  • The study of Veterinary Nursing at New Lodge Veterinary Centre requires application, dedication, attention to detail and a desire to apply theoretical knowledge into everyday practice.
  • You will be expected as an apprentice veterinary nurse to develop the flexibility and skills required across all areas of the practice from theatre work, nursing clinics, nursing inpatients, to essential daily cleaning, deep cleaning procedures and reception duties. The provision of an exceptional standard of client care is essential to this role.
  • Our nurses are trained to a high standard and provide excellent patient care and support for the vet. We do provide our own inpatient care service, although we use an out-of-hours care provider. You would be expected to take part in a 1 in 2 week/weekend rota including inpatient care overnight and at weekends as required.

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

  • On rota depending on college attendance, one day a week while college in session.
  • College attendance one day a week then working until 7.00pm that night and in patient care overnight that night as required. 10 hours that day.
  • During non-term time 9am -7.00pm on what would be a college day. When inpatients are present, times may vary, but hours will remain the same.
  • College attendance at The College of Animal Welfare, Godmanchester, in person or attending lectures remotely for 1 day per week – day release training, along with online lessons, off-the-job training, practical and written assignments and exams.

More training information

  • The working week includes lunch hours although paid do not count as working time hours, plus in patient care after hours as required, paid overtime, which may not be regular.

  • Working Saturday 8.00am to 12.00.pm = 4.00 hours then in-patient care as required over the weekend until Monday am. In patient care may not be regular.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English Language (grade A*-C or 9-4)
  • Mathematics (grade A*-C or 9-4)
  • Science (Physics, Chemistry or Biology) (grade A*-C or 9-4)
  • You must have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C (grade A*-C or 9-4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills

Other requirements

We are searching for a candidate who is enthusiastic for the challenges of learning in a close team working environment, while providing the best in patient support and care. The candidate MUST hold a valid UK driving licence, have own transport and live within 25 minutes' drive of the practice for in patient care. We are a rural practice with no direct bus service hence the ability to drive is essential for this role. This is a hands on fully immersive experience, involving good time keeping, excellent study and organisational skills with sometimes working longer hours than rota when caring for in patients out of hours. This role will involve dealing with the general public in a professional manner. There may be occasional night working within rota and rarely stressful situations dealing with members of the public and their animals.

About this employer

We are a small but dedicated veterinary team that treat a range of companion animals at our modern well equipped rurally located Veterinary Centre. We are a proudly independent family run vets.

http://www.newlodgevets.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

We will also pay for Vetskill fees, RCVS student registration, awarding body fees, practical examination, online examination fees and end point assessment first attempts only.

After this apprenticeship

  • Successful applicants will complete the Advanced Apprenticeship in Veterinary Nursing and become a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
  • Employment as Registered Veterinary Nurse (Companion animal) at any Veterinary practice with the UK

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 VAC1000340543.

Apply now

Closes in 29 days (Saturday 4 October 2025 at 11:59pm)

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