Head Veterinary Nurse

The Oak Veterinary Group; Haverfordwest; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 6.6 weeks

Birthday leave

Private medical insurance

Pension scheme

CPD allowance

RCVS fees covered

Job summary

The Oak Veterinary Group in Pembrokeshire is seeking a knowledgeable Head Veterinary Nurse to provide senior clinical leadership for the nursing team across our main small animal practice in Haverfordwest. The role offers a £1,000 welcome bonus and relocation allowance of up to £1,000.

You will set nursing standards, lead clinical governance and quality improvement, and work with the Practice Director to shape culture, performance and ways of working.

Qualifications

• Registered Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS in good standing.
• Proven leadership and mentoring experience in a clinical setting.
• Strong governance, quality improvement and professional standards knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team.
• Set nursing standards and oversee infection control and governance.
• Lead, develop and coach nursing and support staff; collaborate with Practice Director.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical governance

Infection control

Communication skills

Mentoring

Education

RCVS 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 The Oak Veterinary Group on a full-time basis. This role offers a £1,000 welcome bonus and relocation allowance of up to £1,000.

The Oak Veterinary Group is based in beautiful Pembrokeshire, surrounded by some of the most stunning coast and countryside Wales has to offer. Our main small animal practice in Haverfordwest is due to undergo a property redevelopment programme in 2027 and offers surgery, dentistry, internal laboratory facilities, ultrasound, radiography and endoscopy.

Our Hydrotherapy and Physio services are delivered by our full-time Rehab Coordinator at our Fishguard practice. The Fishguard branch also has internal laboratory, dentistry and surgical facilities, alongside the unique opportunity to offer clients an aquatic treadmill for hydrotherapy. We also offer laser and acupuncture services across both sites.

Practice Highlights

• Based in beautiful Pembrokeshire, surrounded by stunning coast and countryside
• Main small animal practice in Haverfordwest due to undergo redevelopment during 2026
• Facilities include surgery, dentistry, internal laboratory, ultrasound, radiography and endoscopy
• Hydrotherapy, physio, laser and acupuncture services available across the group
• Schedule 3 procedures encouraged

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.

This is an exciting time to join our team as 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

• 37.5 hours per week full-time role
• Working hours fall between 8:00am and 7:00pm, Monday to Friday , Includes one late finish and one early start
• 1 in 5 Saturday rota, currently 8:00am to 1:00pm
• No out-of-hours requirements

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 £38,000 DOE