Head Veterinary Nurse

How You’ll Make a Difference

As a Head Veterinary Nurse, you will provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team, overseeing all nursing aspects of the practice and supporting the delivery of high‑quality patient and client care.

You’ll be responsible for setting and maintaining nursing standards, leading clinical governance and quality improvement activity, and developing a capable, confident nursing team. Working closely with the wider practice leadership team, you'll play a key role in shaping culture, performance and ways of working.

This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced RVN who wants to shape, support, and lead a professional nursing team. With two Deputy Head Nurses in place to support you, you’ll have the opportunity to bring the team with you, promote high standards, and contribute to the ongoing development of the practice.

This is a full‑time role working 40 hours per week. Rota details can be discussed at interview.

• Lead, support, and develop the nursing team, promoting high clinical standards.
• Support the smooth day‑to‑day running of back‑of‑house clinical areas.
• Deliver hands‑on nursing care across theatre, inpatient care, and nurse consultations.
• Help mentor and guide colleagues, including students and less experienced team members.

You are an experienced and confident Registered Veterinary Nurse with strong leadership capability and a passion for clinical excellence. You'll bring:

• Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS.
• Significant experience in clinical practice with advanced medical and surgical nursing skills.
• Proven experience of leading, mentoring and developing nursing teams.
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement and professional standards.
• Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills.

Benefits include:

• A senior leadership role with accountability for nursing standards and team development.
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities into wider practice leadership roles.
• Ongoing learning and development to support leadership, governance and strategic growth.
• A collaborative, values‑led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement.

• 6.6 weeks' annual leave plus your birthday off.
• Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service.
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Employee wellbeing initiatives including Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme.
• £550 CPD allowance plus 24 hrs paid leave.
• Certificate support.
• RCVS and VDS fees covered.
• Pension scheme.
• Discounted veterinary care.
• Voluntary benefits: choose from a range of benefits to suit you – including Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers.

Pay:
Up to £38,000 DOE