Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

Wellpets, Yeovil; Yeovil; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6.6 weeks annual leave

Birthday leave

Private medical insurance

CPD allowance £550

RCVS fees covered

Pension scheme

Cycle to Work

Discounted veterinary care

Job summary

Wellpets, Yeovil is seeking a Head Veterinary Nurse to provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team across Yeovil and Worle. The role focuses on setting nursing standards, governance, and developing a capable team while working with the Practice Director and Lead Vet.

You will lead, mentor and coach nursing staff, oversee clinical governance and quality improvements, and help shape culture and performance within the practice.

Qualifications

• Registered Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS is required.
• Significant clinical practice experience.
• Proven leadership, mentoring and team development experience.
• Strong understanding of clinical governance and quality improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire and develop the nursing and care team.
• Ensure smooth day-to-day running of the nursing function with high clinical standards.
• Collaborate with Practice Director and Lead Vet as part of the leadership team.
• Provide hands-on clinical leadership, mentoring and development of staff.
• Support Student Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Care Assistants through coaching.
• Champion infection control and continuous quality improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Organisational skills

Clinical governance

Infection control

Education

RCVS registered veterinary nurse

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 Head Veterinary Nurse to join our team at Wellpets - Yeovil & Worle on a full-time basis.

Wellpets is a thriving small animal practice with branches in Yeovil and Worle, supported by a dedicated team that genuinely cares about its patients, clients and colleagues. We are committed to creating a positive workplace where individuals can grow, develop and enjoy a rewarding career whilst providing the best care for our patients.

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.

Working Pattern

• 40 hours per week
• 4 days per week in Yeovil and 1 day per week in Worle
• 1 in 3 Saturday mornings at Yeovil (8:30am to 1pm)
• No out-of-hours requirement

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire and develop the nursing and animal care team
• Ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the nursing function while maintaining high clinical standards
• Work closely with the Practice Director and Lead Vet as part of the practice leadership team
• Provide hands‑on clinical leadership, combining patient care with mentoring and team development
• Support Student Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Care Assistants through coaching and supervision
• Champion infection control, clinical governance and continuous quality improvement

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
• 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 £41,000 per year DOE