Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

Strachan Veterinary Group; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Funded CPD and career development

Pension scheme

Staff discount for own pets

Employee assistance programme

Company events

Job summary

Strachan Veterinary Group is seeking a Head Registered Veterinary Nurse (Head RVN) to lead our nursing team across two sites, ensuring high clinical standards and patient care. You will oversee day-to-day operations, support surgeons, and drive staff development in a collaborative practice.

The role involves coordinating rotas, maintaining hygiene, and expanding nurse clinics, with funded CPD and a supportive team culture. Competitive salary up to £39,000. 40 hours per week, weekends on rota.

Qualifications

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RCVS) with the RCVS.
• Minimum 3 years post-qualification experience in a small animal practice.
• Proven leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong organisational, communication, and people management skills.
• Confident in all aspects of clinical nursing, anaesthesia, and patient care.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate the nursing and auxiliary teams to deliver exceptional clinical standards and patient care.
• Oversee nursing rotas, workflow, and workload management to ensure efficient operation of the practice.
• Maintain gold-standard hygiene, infection control, and clinical protocols.
• Support and participate in surgical and medical nursing, anaesthesia monitoring, and inpatient care.
• Develop and expand the range of nurse clinics offered, ensuring that the nursing team are trained appropriately and fully utilised.
• Ensure compliance with RCVS, Health & Safety, and other regulatory requirements; follow SOPs and contribute to new SOPs.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical nursing

Anaesthesia monitoring

Staff development

Communication

Education

Registered Veterinary Nurse (RCVS)

Tools

Ezyvet

Job description

Job Title: Head Registered Veterinary Nurse (Head RVN)

Location: Heaton/Tynemouth

Reports to: Practice Manager / Lead Vet / Directors

Hours: 40 hours per week to include weekends on a rota basis

Salary: Up to £39,000

Main Purpose of the job

As Head Registered Veterinary Nurse (Head RVN) you will lead our nursing team across two sites, and play a key role in the smooth running of our practice. You will be a confident and compassionate leader who is passionate about patient care, team development, and maintaining high clinical standards.

As Head RVN, you will oversee the nursing team’s day-to-day operations, ensuring excellence in patient care, supporting the veterinary surgeons, and promoting a positive, collaborative work environment. You will also take an active role in developing protocols, training, and quality improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical & Operational Leadership

• Lead and motivate the nursing and auxiliary teams to deliver exceptional clinical standards and patient care.
• Oversee nursing rotas, workflow, and workload management to ensure efficient operation of the practice.
• Maintain gold-standard hygiene, infection control, and clinical protocols.
• Support and participate in surgical and medical nursing, anaesthesia monitoring, and inpatient care.
• Develop and expand the range of nurse clinics offered, ensuring that the nursing team are trained appropriately and fully utilised.
• Ensure compliance with RCVS, Health & Safety, and other regulatory requirements.Follow and review existing Standard Operating Procedures, as well as contributing to new SOPs as appropriate.

Team Development & Training

• Coach, mentor, and support the nursing team through training, appraisals, and career development.
• Encourage a culture of continuous learning, professional development, and well-being.
• Coordinate student nurse training and liaise with training providers.
• Understand, contribute to, implement and train on practice and group policies as appropriate

Administration & Communication

• Collaborate with the Practice Manager and Clinical Director to manage stock control, ordering, and budgeting.
• Contribute to the recruitment, onboarding, and retention of nursing staff.
• Communicate effectively with clients, ensuring excellent customer service and patient advocacy.
• Participate in management meetings and assist in implementing practice improvement projects.
• Act as liaison with our charity partners, ensuring treatments are provided to animals under their care, and legislation followed.
• Oversee the processing of insurance claims, providing support to others where required and submitting the more complex claims.

Essential Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) with the RCVS.
• Minimum 3 years post-qualification experience in a small animal practice (or relevant field).
• Proven leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong organisational, communication, and people management skills.
• Confident in all aspects of clinical nursing, anaesthesia, and patient care.
• Passion for mentoring and developing others.

Desirable

• Previous experience in a Head RVN, or senior role.
• Clinical Coach qualification (or willingness to train).
• Experience in practice management systems (e.g. Ezyvet)
• Interest in quality improvement or clinical governance.
• Experience in processing complex insurance claims

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Funded CPD and career development opportunities.
• Supportive and friendly team culture.
• Pension scheme, staff discount for own pets, company events, employee assistance programme

The duties outlined in this job description are not exhaustive and may be subject to periodic review and amendment to meet the needs of the business.