Head Veterinary Nurse

Medivet; Horsham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary practice in Horsham is seeking an experienced Head Veterinary Nurse to lead its clinical team. This role involves ensuring high standards of patient care, mentoring junior staff, and overseeing clinical operations. The ideal candidate is an RCVS registered nurse with at least five years of experience and a passion for delivering exceptional care. The position is full-time, offering a competitive salary based on experience.

Qualifications

• At least five years' experience, ideally in a hospital environment.
• Experience as a Clinical Coach is preferred.
• Capable of delivering exceptional client and patient care.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the nursing team.
• Ensure the smooth running of clinical operations.
• Deliver exceptional client care each day.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical coaching

Patient monitoring

Communication skills

Regulatory compliance

Education

RCVS registered nurse

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated Head Veterinary Nurse to join our exceptional team at Medivet Faygate 24-Hour practice, a leading hospital set within acres of beautiful West Sussex woodland.

Nestled in tranquil countryside, Medivet Faygate offers a truly unique setting; surrounded by wildlife and nature, yet within easy reach of the South Downs National Park and the stunning Jurassic coastline. Despite its peaceful surroundings, the branch is a vibrant and progressive clinical hub, known for delivering market-leading care and fostering a strong sense of teamwork and professional pride.

Our state-of-the-art practice is designed to support exceptional patient care and a positive working environment. Facilities include a CT scanner, digital and dental radiography, multiparameter anaesthetic monitoring, endoscopy and bronchoscopy, a full in‑house laboratory, and two dedicated theatres. The practice also provides separate cat and dog wards, an isolation facility, and species‑specific waiting areas to ensure a calm and stress‑free experience for all patients. With such comprehensive facilities, Faygate acts as a referral and support centre for surrounding practices, offering a diverse caseload and a stimulating environment for clinical development.

As Head Veterinary Nurse, you will play a vital role in leading, supporting, and developing our nursing team while ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the hospital’s clinical operations. You’ll work closely with our Veterinary Surgeons, Student Nurses, and support staff to maintain the highest standards of patient care and clinical excellence.

This is a permanent full‑time position working 40 hours per week, offering genuine scope to shape how the practice operates. Salary is negotiable, dependent on experience.

We’re seeking a highly skilled and confident RVN with at least five years’ experience, ideally including time in a hospital environment and experience as a Clinical Coach. You’ll be an enthusiastic leader who enjoys mentoring others, driving standards, and fostering a supportive and positive team culture.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your nursing career and lead within a forward‑thinking, well‑equipped hospital, we’d love to hear from you. For more information or a friendly initial conversation, please contact [e-mail].

Responsibilities

Client care

• Deliver exceptional care to clients, each and every day.

Patient care

• Support the vet with any operations or procedures when required.
• Carry out nurse led appointments.
• Responsible for patient monitoring and care.
• Manage admissions and discharges for procedures as directed by the Vet or Lead Vet (depending on complexity).
• Ensure patient records are accurate and up to date.
• Ensure all pre or post operation activity is completed.
• Provide everyday care for patients by carrying out appropriate walking, toileting and feeding.
• Complete any patient transfers required to out of hours (OOH) care provider or for any enhanced care required.
• Responsible for dispensing and checking any medication required.
• All patient care is carried out under the guidance of the Vet/Lead Vet in line with clinical competence.

Standards and Compliance

• Accountable for clinical compliance with all regulatory and practice standards and agreed ways of working.
• Ensure the appropriate regulatory, practice and operational veterinary and nursing standards are implemented in the practice.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.

Communications

• Hold daily briefings and co‑ordinate roles and activity to support the effective running of the clinic.
• Effectively deliver timely clinical communications to veterinary and nursing teams sharing news of changes or improvements to processes or practice standards, Social Ecosystem Model (SEM) outcomes etc.
• Carry out engaging clinical meetings with the nursing team.

Clinical leadership

• Support and carry out clinical coaching as required.
• Pro‑actively share clinical best practice within and across clinics and the wider Medivet community.
• Responsible for training and the development of the nursing team.
• Ensure the clinical team are clear on their responsibilities and any tasks that need to be completed each day.
• Ensure that Veterinary Nurses have appropriate clinical support and coaching.
• Lead, manage and promote nurse led appointments and Schedule 3 surgeries.
• To continue to deliver exceptional care to clients the Vet and Lead Vet are responsible for mentoring graduates within the clinic. The Nurse and Head Nurse are responsible for coaching the nursing team.

Clinical administration

• Take samples as required by and under the direction of the Vet/Lead Vet.
• Ensure lab tests are carried out correctly.
• Effectively manage the stock in the clinic and place any orders required.
• Escalate any issues to the Practice Manager and/or Vet/Lead Vet as required.
• Ensure the back of house is set up and ready for procedures.

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Must be an RCVS registered nurse.
• Able to confidently lead a clinical team.
• Effective planning and management of the clinical team.
• Implementation of a progressive clinical culture through nurse clinics and nurse consultations.
• Supports nurse consults and understands how this contributes to the performance and efficient operation of the clinic.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Able to deliver exceptional care to clients.
• Experienced in using coaching and influencing skills to get the best out of each and every colleague.

Our clinics are run by small teams who need to work together effectively to deliver exceptional care to our clients, patients, and colleagues. This means that, from time to time, you may be required to carry out tasks outside your normal duties, where you have the skills, knowledge and experience required.