Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse

British Veterinary Association; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A veterinary practice in Long Stratton is looking for an experienced Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse. The ideal candidate will support the Head Nurse and ensure high clinical standards. Responsibilities include inpatient care, consultations, and contributing to team leadership. This role offers a competitive salary of up to £29,774 and a supportive work environment that values your skills and ideas.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

Discounted gym membership

£550 CPD allowance

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted staff pet care

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN).
• Desirable leadership experience.
• Passion for patient care.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Nurse in clinical tasks.
• Ensure gold-standard care for patients.
• Contribute to team leadership and practice development.

Skills

Proactive mindset

Strong organisational skills

Experience in patient care

Job description

Overview

Are you an experienced, proactive, and confident Registered Veterinary Nurse looking to take the next step in your career? Chapelfield Veterinary Partnership is seeking a dedicated Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse to join our friendly and supportive team at our Long Stratton branch. This is a fantastic opportunity to support our current Head Nurse, while helping to shape and maintain high clinical standards across the practice.

Role Details

As Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse, you'll work closely with the Head Nurse and the rest of the clinical team, ensuring gold-standard care while supporting smooth day-to-day organisation and productivity. You'll be actively involved in all aspects of nursing, from inpatient care and theatre work to consultations and nurse clinics, while also having the chance to contribute to team leadership and practice development.

You'll be part of a dedicated team at Long Stratton, consisting of 6 Vets, 6 RVNs, and a Veterinary Care Assistant, all committed to delivering compassionate care to patients and clients alike. We are proud of our culture of full nurse utilisation, meaning your skills, voice, and ideas will be valued every day.

Work Schedule

• Full-time, 40 hours per week
• 4 x 10-hour shifts, or the option to spread across 5 shorter days
• Salary up to £29,774 DOE
• Shared Saturday rota with time back in lieu
• No out-of-hours

About the Practice

Chapelfield Veterinary Partnership is a five-site practice across Norfolk, with Long Stratton offering excellent facilities including:

• Digital and dental X-ray
• Ultrasound
• Orthopaedic theatre
• Dedicated dental room
• Two theatres
• Nurse consulting room

Our collaborative team thrives on supporting one another, and with certificate-holding colleagues and a culture of professional development, you'll be well supported in growing your leadership skills.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking an RVN with proven experience and a confident, proactive mindset. You should be passionate about patient care and keen to bring strong organisational skills to the role. Previous leadership experience is desirable but not essential—what matters most is your ability to inspire, support, and work collaboratively with colleagues.

Why Join Us?

At Chapelfield, you'll be joining a team that champions collaboration, development, and kindness. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where nurses feel empowered to use their full range of skills, contribute ideas, and grow professionally.

Because Our People Matter

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises, and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary of up to £29,774 DOE, you will benefit from:

Work-life Balance

• 6.6 weeks annual leave
• Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
• Your birthday as a paid day off

Wellbeing

• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing, including discounted gym membership
• Non-accidental injury support

Development

• £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid CPD leave
• Certificate support
• Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Access to Vetlexicon - our online encyclopaedia provider
• All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding
• Infection Prevention and Control Programme
• Quality Improvement Programme

Professional Memberships

• VDS cover
• RCVS fees

Additional

• Pawsome Benefits - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100's of retailers
• Pension - 5% Employee/3% Employer
• Discounted staff pet care