Head Veterinary Nurse

IVC; Chatham; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Pension scheme

Discounted veterinary care

Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme

Job summary

Easipetcare Chatham is seeking a Head Veterinary Nurse to lead our nursing team, uphold high clinical standards and drive ongoing professional development. The role combines hands-on clinical work with leadership responsibilities, mentoring junior staff and maintaining infection control across the practice.

You will join a supportive team in a busy veterinary environment with opportunities to influence culture, governance and patient care quality.

Qualifications

• RCVS registration required.
• Experience leading nursing teams in busy practice.
• Strong governance and infection control knowledge.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the nursing team to maintain high patient care standards.
• Set nursing standards and oversee clinical governance.
• Collaborate with practice leadership to shape culture and operations.
• Mentor Student Veterinary Nurses and VCAs and ensure infection control.

Skills

RCVS Registration

Leadership

Clinical governance

Communication

Mentoring

Education

RVN 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 Head Veterinary Nurse to join our team at Easipetcare, Chatham , on a full-time basis. We are also offering up to £3,000 welcome bonus for this position.

At Easipetcare Chatham, you’ll be joining a close-knit and supportive nursing team. This is a key leadership position, requiring someone who can confidently lead and motivate a team, promote excellent patient care, develop colleagues and work collaboratively with the wider practice team to support continued growth.

Our practice is home to a friendly and supportive team of 1 Veterinary Surgeon, 4 RVNs, 1 SVN, 5 Receptionists, a Practice Director, and a Practice Manager. We benefit from a varied medical and surgical caseload, with exposure to orthopaedic, cardiac, soft tissue, and diagnostic imaging cases through collaboration with visiting specialist clinicians. We pride ourselves on fostering a positive team culture, with a strong focus on collaboration, communication, and ongoing professional development.

Practice Highlights

• 4 consult rooms
• Digital radiography and ultrasound
• Dedicated theatre and prep room
• In-house laboratory equipment

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.

This position is 40 hours per week, across 4 or 5 days. This will include a fair share of weekends and bank holidays. No OOH.

General responsibilities include:

• You’ll play a pivotal role in leading, inspiring, and developing our nursing and care team.
• Ensure the smooth running of the practice, uphold clinical standards, and help us continue to deliver the best possible patient care.
• Working closely with the Lead Vet, Client Care Manager, Practice Manager, and Practice Director, you’ll be part of the practice’s leadership group shaping our operations and helping to guide our continued growth and success.
• This is a hands-on role, combining clinical work with leadership and mentorship. You’ll lead by example, supporting our Student Veterinary Nurses and VCAs, maintaining high standards of infection control and clinical governance, and ensuring the team is confident, capable, and motivated every day.

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 within a busy FO practice
• 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 and team development
• Clear career pathways 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 plus your birthday off
• Increasing holiday allowance based on 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
• Certificate support
• 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/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers

£0 - £0 a year

Salary up to £40,000 pa DOE