Head Veterinary Nurse

IVC Evidensia Group; Chatham; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave + birthday off

Private Medical Insurance

CPD allowance

RCVS fees covered

Wellbeing initiatives

Discounted veterinary care

Cycle to Work

Job summary

IVC Evidensia Group in Chatham is seeking a Head Veterinary Nurse to lead our nursing team, uphold clinical standards, and drive governance within a busy practice. This 40-hour week role requires strong leadership and collaboration with the wider leadership group to support growth.

You’ll mentor Student Veterinary Nurses and VCAs, maintain infection control, and ensure excellent patient care across a varied caseload at Easipetcare Chatham.

Qualifications

• Registered Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS.
• Significant leadership experience in a busy veterinary practice.
• Strong knowledge of clinical governance and quality improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the nursing team to deliver high‑quality patient care.
• Set and maintain nursing standards across the practice.
• Lead clinical governance and drive continuous improvement.
• Mentor Student Veterinary Nurses and VCAs and collaborate with the leadership group.

Skills

Leadership

RCVS Registration

Nursing leadership

Clinical governance

Communication

Education

RCVS registration

Tools

In-house lab equipment

Job description

inspiring vet care - Chatham, South East

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 afull-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
• 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

inspiring vet care - Chatham

Union Street, Chatham, ME4 4PZ, United Kingdom

At IVC Evidensia we are a committed to Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging, we are keen to hear from candidates from all minority and diverse groups. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are keen to hear from candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions and would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process.