Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse

Wood Street Veterinary Hospital; Chipping Barnet; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6.6 weeks annual leave

Birthday leave

Private Medical Insurance

Pension scheme

RCVS and VDS fees covered

Cycle to Work scheme

Job summary

Wood Street Veterinary Hospital is seeking a Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse to deliver senior leadership across the nursing team. You will mentor RVNs/SVNs/VCAs and oversee patient and client care in a busy 24-hour hospital.

The role combines hands-on nursing with strategic leadership, staff development and governance. A registered RVN with NHS-style standards is essential, along with strong communication and organisational skills.

Qualifications

• Registered Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS.
• Significant leadership experience in clinical practice.
• Proven mentoring and team development skills.
• Strong governance, quality improvement and professional standards.
• Excellent communication and organisational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team.
• Oversee nursing standards and support day-to-day operations.
• Mentor RVNs, SVNs and VCAs and support training.
• Lead staffing, workflow and hospital protocols.
• Promote teamwork and high-quality patient and client care.
• Cover clinical duties across wards, theatre, anaesthesia and emergency care.
• Support Head Nurse and assume leadership in their absence.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical nursing

Mentoring

Communication

Organisational skills

Education

RCVS registration

Job description

At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners.

We are seeking a knowledgeable, confident Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse to join our team at Wood Street Vet Hospital on a full-time basis.

Wood Street Veterinary Hospital is a busy, 24-hour RCVS-accredited Tier 3 hospital, providing an exceptional standard of patient care across a varied and interesting caseload. Our recently refurbished facilities include modern operating theatres, laparoscopy and endoscopy, digital and dental X-ray, an in-house laboratory, dedicated isolation facilities, and separate cat and dog wards. The hospital sees a diverse range of cases, from emergency and critical care through to orthopaedic and advanced surgical procedures, and holds both ISFM Cat Friendly and Rabbit Friendly accreditation. You’ll join a collaborative and experienced team of 14 vets, 10 RVNs, 4 SVNs and 4 VCSs, all sharing a commitment to high clinical standards and a genuine passion for delivering excellent patient care.

How You’ll Make a Difference

As a Deputy 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.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an RVN who is ready to take the next step into leadership, or an experienced senior nurse looking for a new challenge within a busy hospital environment.

Working closely with the Head Nurse and wider management team, you’ll play an important role in supporting the day-to-day running of the nursing team, maintaining high clinical standards and helping our nurses, students and support team continue to develop.

This is very much a hands‑on role, combining leadership responsibilities with clinical nursing and allowing you to continue using and developing your nursing skills.

Working Pattern

• 40 hours per week
• 8‑hour shifts between 7 am - 9 pm
• 1:4 Saturdays with TOIL
• No Sundays, bank holidays or OOH!

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting and mentoring RVNs, SVNs and VCAs
• Helping maintain and develop high standards of patient and client care
• Providing day-to-day leadership and being a point of support for the nursing team
• Assisting with team organisation, workflow and ensuring appropriate staffing across clinical areas
• Supporting training, development and clinical coaching
• Helping implement and maintain hospital protocols and procedures
• Promoting effective communication and teamwork across the wider practice
• Leading by example and encouraging a positive, supportive working environment
• Working clinically across the hospital, including wards, theatre, anaesthesia, diagnostics and emergency care
• Supporting the Head Nurse with wider management responsibilities and providing leadership in their absence

You Might Be a Great Fit If...

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 - although we would accept someone who is looing to take the next steps in their career
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement and professional standards
• Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills

How We’ll Support You

At inspiring vet care, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:

• A senior leadership role with accountability for nursing standards, team development and service improvement
• Structured leadership pathways through our dedicated Nurse Academy, empowering you to shape the future of nursing care within our practice
• Clear career development 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

What We Offer Our Team

• 6.6 weeks' annual leave
• Additional annual leave for your birthday, which will be added to your holiday allowance
• Increasing annual leave accrued through 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 24hrs paid leave
• 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 and cashback with hundreds of participating retailers

We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world‑class learning resources.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.

Up to £40,000 p/a DOE