Head Veterinary Nurse

VC Evidensia UK; Dover; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6.6 weeks annual leave

Birthday leave

Private Medical Insurance

CPD allowance

RCVS/VDS fees covered

Cycle to Work

Discounted care

Job summary

White Cliffs Vets in Whitfield, near Dover, seeks a Head Veterinary Nurse to lead the nursing team and oversee day-to-day practice operations. You’ll provide senior clinical leadership, ensure nursing standards, and drive governance and quality improvement while supporting a culture of learning.

The role offers a 40-hour week with 4x10-hour shifts, occasional Saturdays, and no out-of-hours. An RVN with RCVS registration and strong leadership is essential.

Qualifications

• Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS.
• Significant leadership experience within a nursing team.
• Strong clinical practice with advanced nursing skills.
• Experience mentoring and developing nursing staff.

Responsibilities

• Assisting vets in consults and surgeries.
• Organising rotas for support and nursing teams.
• Managing all aspects of the nursing team including admin, performance and absences.
• Stock control and supply management.
• Providing leadership when the practice manager is not on site.

Skills

Leadership

RCVS registration

Clinical nursing

Communication

Team mentoring

Education

RVN (RCVS) qualification

Tools

Digital radiography

Ultrasound

Dental radiography

In-house laboratory

Video endoscopy

Job description

White Cliffs Veterinary Surgery, Whitfield, Whitfield, 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 White Cliffs Vets on a full-time basis.

White Cliffs Vets is a spacious small animal practice situated in a beautiful part of Kent, close to the iconic White Cliffs of Dover and with easy access to mainland Europe via the nearby port. Surrounded by stunning coastline and countryside, the practice is also within easy reach of the historic city of Canterbury, offering a fantastic range of shops, bars, restaurants, cinemas and theatres.

You'll lead a skilled and close-knit nursing team of six Registered Veterinary Nurses, working within a caring and supportive environment where learning and development are actively encouraged. This role would suit an experienced and well-established RVN who is confident in their clinical skills and enjoys taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of a practice. With the Practice Manager not always on site, you'll play an important role in supporting the smooth running of the practice and providing leadership to the nursing team. You'll have plenty of opportunities to learn from experienced senior and visiting colleagues, with the team encouraged to share CPD and knowledge to continually develop our skills and ensure we provide the very best care for our patients and clients.

Practice Highlights

• Well equipped with digital radiography and dental radiography, ultrasound, a fully equipped laboratory for in-house analysis and video endoscopy
• Loyal client base
• Longstanding and supportive team

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
• 4x10-hour shifts between 8:30 am - 6:30 pm
• On occasion you may be required to work Saturdays 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
• No OOH

Key Responsibilities

• Assisting vets in consults and surgeries
• Organising rotas for support and nursing teams
• Managing all aspects of the nursing team including general admin, performance management and absences
• Stock control
• Offering support to the team when practice manager is not on site

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
• You have strong examples of leadership experience

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
• 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.

White Cliffs Veterinary Surgery, Whitfield

Unit 4-6, Whitfield Court, White Cliffs Business Park, Whitfield, CT16 3PX, 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.

Any questions before applying?

Speak to Amy Padgett from our recruitment team who would be happy to help you with any questions you have before applying for this role.