Head Veterinary Nurse

IVC; Oakham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6.6 weeks' annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

Pension scheme

RCVS fees covered

VDS fees covered

Birthday leave

Job summary

inspiring vet care is seeking a Head Veterinary Nurse at Oakham Veterinary Hospital to lead a team of 16 nurses and hospital assistants. This senior role combines hands-on nursing with people management and hospital operations to maintain high clinical standards.

You'll organise the clinical day, plan rotas, mentor and develop staff, and work closely with veterinary surgeons and the leadership team to deliver outstanding patient care in a busy, purpose-built hospital with advanced facilities.

Qualifications

• Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS.
• Significant experience in clinical practice with advanced medical and surgical nursing skills.
• Proven experience in leading, mentoring and developing nursing teams.
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement and professional standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and support a team of 16 nurses and hospital assistants.
• Oversee the day-to-day running of the nursing department and support the hospital's smooth operation.
• Plan and coordinate the clinical day, ensuring staffing and efficient patient flow.
• Manage nursing rotas, staffing arrangements and administration.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and guidance to support performance.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Clinical nursing

Communication

Organisational skills

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 an experienced, enthusiastic and motivated Head Veterinary Nurse to lead our nursing team at Oakham Veterinary Hospital.

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident RVN looking to take the next step into leadership, or an experienced Head Nurse seeking a rewarding position within a well-established veterinary hospital. You'll be responsible for leading a team of 16 nurses and hospital assistants, overseeing the daily running of the hospital while remaining actively involved in clinical nursing.

Oakham Veterinary Hospital is a long-established practice on the outskirts of Oakham, Rutland. Our purpose-built hospital offers extensive facilities and diagnostic equipment, providing a varied clinical environment across first opinion and referral cases.

We have a clinical association with the University of Nottingham Vet School and a number of certificate holders across our clinical team, including cardiology, surgery, medicine, orthopaedics and advanced nursing, including anaesthesia. We are passionate about maintaining high clinical standards and supporting the professional development of our people.

Practice Highlights

• Purpose-built veterinary hospital on the outskirts of Oakham, Rutland
• Leadership opportunity managing a team of 16 nurses and hospital assistants
• Varied clinical caseload across first opinion and referral services
• Advanced facilities including CT, ultrasonography, dental radiography and diathermy
• Equipment supporting laparoscopic procedures and complex orthopaedic surgeries

How You'll Make a Difference

As Head Veterinary Nurse, you will play a key role in leading and developing our nursing team while ensuring the smooth and effective running of the hospital.

You'll be responsible for organising and planning the clinical day, managing nursing rotas, overseeing administrative responsibilities and supporting the training and development of nurses and hospital assistants. Working closely with veterinary surgeons and the wider leadership team, you'll help maintain excellent clinical standards and create a positive, collaborative working environment.

Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you'll remain actively involved in clinical nursing, including theatre, anaesthesia, inpatient care and nurse consultations. This is a varied position offering the opportunity to combine hands‑on nursing with people management and operational leadership.

Working Pattern

• 40 hours per week
• Shifts between 7:30am and 8:30pm Monday - Friday
• 1:6 Saturdays and Sundays - full days, two days off in lieu
• The role also includes being part of an out of hours rota to cover for absences from the core Night Nurse team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and support a team of 16 nurses and hospital assistants
• Oversee the day-to-day running of the nursing department and support the smooth operation of the hospital
• Plan and coordinate the clinical day, ensuring appropriate staffing and efficient patient flow
• Manage nursing rotas, staffing arrangements and associated administration
• Provide coaching, mentoring and guidance to support individual and team performance

You Might Be a Great Fit If ...

• 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

• 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.

£0 - £0 a year

Up to £40,000 DOE