Katherine Whitell
North Petherton,Somerset
Summary
Experienced Senior Registered Veterinary Nurse with a strong background in leading teams, delivering high standards of animal welfare, and managing clinical and operational services in fast-paced environments. Proven ability to coach and develop staff, improve service efficiency and ensure maintain high standards of compliance in a fast paced, high pressure environments, delivering high quality care.
Skilled in practical animal care, behavioural assessment, and supporting pets through rehabilitation and rehoming pathways, with a strong focus on achieving positive outcomes for animals and service users. A confident communicator who builds effective relationships with colleagues, volunteers and the public, maintaining excellent customer service.
Passionate about animal welfare and continuous improvement, seeking to contribute leadership, operational expertise and compassion to support Blue Cross in delivering high-quality fostering and rehoming services.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Registered Veterinary Nurse (Senior Nurse)
Mount Vets Hospital
Somerset
2020.01 - Current
- Deliver anaesthetic monitoring, emergency and out of hours nursing care
- Maintained detailed patient records for accessible reference and follow-up.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive animal care.
- Maintained client satisfaction by performing out of hours on call including triage, providing emergency service.
- Lead inpatient and kennel shifts ensuring high standards of patient welfare
- Support diagnostic imaging procedures
- Run nursing clinics and client education sessions
- Act as Clinical Coach supporting student nurses
- Senior nurse responsibilities including mentoring and shift leadership
- Mental Health First Aider supporting team wellbeing
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Vets4Pets
Taunton, Somerset
2019.01 - 2020.01
- Handled distressed animals calmly, ensured safety whilst performing medical procedures.
- Administered therapeutic treatments as prescribed by veterinarian, enhanced patient well-being.
- Maintained detailed patient records for accessible reference and follow-up.
- Conducted laboratory tests for accurate disease diagnosis.
- prepared patients for surgery and monitored anaesthesia.
- Calculated drug dosages and placed IV catheters.
- Provided inpatient care and client discharge advice.
- Maintained hygiene and clinical standards.
Student Veterinary Nurse
Green Pastures
Weston-S-Mare , North Somerset
2017.03 - 2019.01
- Handled emergency situations calmly, improved survival rate of animals in distress.
- Demonstrated a high level of empathy towards distressed animals whilst carrying out treatments,.
- Performed lab tests, aided in accurate diagnosis.
- Ensured comfort of animals during treatment procedures.
- Completed Nursing Progress Log gaining wide clinical competence.
- Blood sampling, catheter placement, radiography and anaesthetic care.
- Provided inpatient, day patient and nursing clinic support.
- Emergency and night nursing including CPR and surgical assistance.
Supivsor/In store trainer
Specsavers
Bristol, Bristol
2013.01 - 2017.03
- Facilitated smooth transition during new system implementation via comprehensive guidance sessions.
- Encouraged team collaboration by facilitating group discussions and role-plays.
- Provided on-the-job coaching to increase employee efficiency.
- Worked closely with the management team to understand specific training requirements and expectations.
- Collaborated with opticians for a personalised approach to eye care solutions.
- Maintained up to date knowledge of latest industry trends and products through continuous professional development.
Duty manager
H Samuel
Bristol, Bristol
2006.09 - 2013.03
- Coordinated staff schedules to maximise productivity.
- Managed front of house operations to maintain a high level of service.
- Supported marketing campaigns, increasing brand visibility within the local community.
- Ensured customer satisfaction with prompt problem resolution.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Veterinary Nursing Science
Hartpury University
Gloucester, Gloucestershire 09/2016 - 04/2020
Foundation Degree in Science - Equine Science
Hartpury University
Gloucester, Gloucestershire 09/2008 - 05/2009
Diploma of Higher Education - Equine Science
Weston College
Weston-super-Mare 09/2006 - 05/2009
GCSEs - 12 GCSE's including Maths, English and science
Priory Community School
Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset 06/2006 - 07/2006
Skills
- Anaesthetic monitoring and surgical nursing
- Emergency and critical care
- Diagnostic imaging and inpatient care
- Clinical coaching and staff mentoring
- Animal handling (small animal, equine, farm)
- Client communication and nursing clinics
- Leadership and time management
- Mental health first aid
- Problem solving under pressure
- Decision making under stress
- Compliance monitoring
- Employee training and development
- Staff management and operational efficiency
- Welfare and duty of care
- Communication with clients and colleagues
- Team collaboration across departments
Certification
- Vets Now Emergency & Critical Care Certificate
- Mental Health First Aider
- Animal Behaviour Certificate
- Level 3 Human Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology
- Certificates in Ophthalmic Dispensing (Level 3 & 4)
- BHS Stage 1 & 2
- BHS Riding & Road Safety
- Key Skills Level 3 – Communication & ICT
REFERENCES
Eric Chant (Director) Sian Holman RVN
Mount Vets Hospital Vets4Pets Taunton
Taunton Road Unit 5 Priory Field Retail Park
Wellington Priory Avenue
TA21 9FG Taunton
01823 662286 01823 329990
eric.chant@mountvets.com Vets4Pets@taunton.com
Timeline
Registered Veterinary Nurse (Senior Nurse)
Mount Vets Hospital
2020.01 - Current
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Vets4Pets
2019.01 - 2020.01
Student Veterinary Nurse
Green Pastures
2017.03 - 2019.01
Supivsor/In store trainer
Specsavers
2013.01 - 2017.03
Duty manager
H Samuel
2006.09 - 2013.03
Bachelor of Science - Veterinary Nursing Science
Hartpury University
09/2016 - 04/2020
Foundation Degree in Science - Equine Science
Hartpury University
09/2008 - 05/2009
Diploma of Higher Education - Equine Science
Weston College
09/2006 - 05/2009
GCSEs - 12 GCSE's including Maths, English and science
Priory Community School
06/2006 - 07/2006