Head Registered Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal

British Veterinary Association; Scotland; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary practice in Scotland is looking for a Head Registered Veterinary Nurse to lead their nursing team. This full-time role emphasizes high standards of care and continuous professional development. Benefits include competitive salary, substantial annual leave, and CPD support. Join us to make a significant impact in veterinary care while enjoying a supportive environment.

Benefits

6.8 weeks annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

Company pension scheme

£550 CPD allowance

Qualifications

• Managing a team of nursing staff effectively.
• Overseeing patient care and ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Performing a variety of nursing duties including surgeries.

Responsibilities

• Lead the nursing team and create shift rotas.
• Manage clinical procedures and patient care standards.
• Work collaboratively with veterinary and practice management teams.

Skills

Leadership

Excellent communication

Team management

Clinical skills

Education

Qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has become available for a Head Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our dedicated team at Ardene House Vet Practice, Kingswells Hospital.

Leadership & Key Responsibilities

As Head Veterinary Nurse, you will play a key role in overseeing the nursing team and ensuring best practices are followed across the board. You will lead by example, driving high standards of care, creating nursing team shift and role rotas, setting up and reviewing SOPs, supporting CPD development, and providing ongoing support to the nursing and wider practice teams.

Key responsibilities

• Leading and managing the nursing team, providing guidance and support
• Creating nursing team shift and role rotas, managing holiday requests
• Overseeing patient care to ensure best practice in all nursing aspects
• Assisting in managing clinical and operational procedures, including stock control and clinical protocols
• Performing a wide range of nursing duties, including surgeries, consultations, and inpatient care
• Collaborating closely with the Practice Manager, Clinical Directors, and veterinary team to improve operational efficiency and patient care

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone passionate about developing people, improving systems, and strengthening practices through effective leadership. It\'s your chance to lead meaningfully, influence positive change, and grow within a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

Work with an Advanced Team

Our main practice, located on the scenic outskirts of Kingswells, Aberdeen, provides both small animal and equine veterinary care and serves as the base for our farm vets. We also operate a branch surgery in Bridge of Don, offering companion animal care to the local community.

We have a skilled and close-knit nursing team comprising 9 Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs), 2 Student Veterinary Nurses (SVNs), and 3 Veterinary Care Assistants (VCAs), working a mixture of full-time and part-time hours. As Head Veterinary Nurse, you\'ll play a vital role in leading this team, maintaining high clinical standards, and delivering exceptional care to our patients and clients.

We are proud to have professionals with surgical and medical certificates and collaborate with leading specialists who regularly offer specialised clinics in cardiology, dermatology, and pain management. Recently, we welcomed Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals, providing orthopaedic and internal medicine referrals within our modern facility.

We cultivate a culture of continuous professional development (CPD) and specialisation, supporting our team in pursuing certificates and advanced studies, all fully funded by the practice. Our spacious, purpose-built premises in Kingswells are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and ample parking for staff and clients alike.

Are you looking for a better work life balance?

This is a full-time position, requiring 40 hours per week from Monday to Friday, between 7:30 am and 7:30 pm. We are open to discussing part-time and flexible working options.

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, you will benefit from -

Work-life balance

• 6.8 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
• Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday

Wellbeing

• Private Medical Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline
• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Initiatives focused on colleague wellbeing

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

Colleague Benefits

• Company pension scheme. IVC Evidensia will make a contribution as well
• Supporting a greener commute to work with a Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria
• Voluntary benefits: we give you the flexibility to choose from a range of voluntary benefits to suit you
• Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
• Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice