Head Veterinary Nurse

FAMILY FRIENDS VETERINARY CENTRE LIMITED; Slough; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly pay

Negotiable hours

Annual leave 20 days + bank holidays

CPD allowance £1,000

RCVS registration paid

VDS cover

Staff discounts on medications

Leadership courses

Career development support

Job summary

Family Friends Vets in Cippenham, Berkshire, is seeking an experienced RVN to step into the Head Nurse – Clinical & Team Lead role. You’ll lead the nursing team, shape clinical standards and oversee HR and day-to-day operations.

Working closely with the Practice Director, you’ll mentor staff, support student nurses, participate in recruitment and performance management, and help drive process improvements while maintaining compassionate patient care.

Qualifications

• RCVS-registered Veterinary Nurse with solid clinical experience.
• Leadership experience preferred but not required for the right candidate.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, support and develop the nursing team.
• Maintain and develop clinical standards, governance and protocols.
• Involve in recruitment, induction and performance management.
• Support HR administration and day-to-day operations.
• Improve day-to-day processes and ensure smooth practice operations.

Skills

RVN registration

Leadership experience

Communication skills

People management

Education

RCVS registration

Job description

If you treat every patient as you would your own - we should talk!

Head Nurse – Clinical & Team Lead

Family Friends Vets | Cippenham, Berkshire

Salary: £16.50 - –£20.00 per hour, depending on experience

Hours: Negotiable

Anticipated start: January 2027

Are you an experienced RVN ready for your next challenge, or a Head Nurse looking for a role where you can make a real difference?

We’re looking for a proactive, people-focused Head Nurse to help lead our nursing team, develop clinical standards and shape the future of our growing independent practice.

If you love excellent patient care, enjoy supporting others and like finding better ways of doing things, we’d love to hear from you.

A little about us

Family Friends Vets is a proudly independent small animal practice in Cippenham, caring for our community since 2006.

Our aim is simple: to provide the best care for our patients, the best service for our clients and the best place to work for our team. We’re ambitious for the future and want everyone to feel empowered to contribute ideas, develop their skills and make a difference.

The role

Working closely with the Practice Director, you’ll combine clinical nursing leadership with responsibility for team development, HR and day-to-day clinical operations.

Your role will include:

• Maintaining and developing clinical standards, protocols and governance.
• Leading, supporting and developing the nursing team.
• Mentoring colleagues and supporting student nurses.
• Helping with recruitment, induction, performance management and HR administration.
• Improving day-to-day processes and helping the practice run smoothly.

We’re looking for someone who takes ownership, communicates well and enjoys turning ideas into action. Previous leadership experience would be great, but we’re also open to an experienced RVN ready to take that next step. You’ll have the support, training and autonomy to grow into the role.

What we offer

• Salary: £16.50–£20.00 per hour, depending on experience.
• Working hours: Negotiable for the right candidate.
• Annual leave: 20 days plus bank holidays per year, based on a full-time working week and pro rata for part-time hours.
• CPD: £1,000 annual allowance.
• Professional fees: RCVS registration and VDS cover paid for.
• Staff discounts: Medications at cost and 50% discount on procedures.
• Leadership development: Access to Vet Dynamics leadership and management courses.
• Career development: Support to develop your clinical, leadership and people-management skills.
• Real influence: The opportunity to shape clinical standards and help develop an independent practice where the owners are close by, approachable and invested in your success.

About you

You’ll be an RCVS-registered Veterinary Nurse with solid clinical experience, excellent communication and organisational skills, and a genuine interest in developing people and improving standards.

Previous senior nursing or leadership experience would be an advantage, but we’ll support the right person who is ready to take the next step.

Most importantly, you’ll be approachable, proactive and compassionate, with the confidence to take responsibility, the willingness to learn and a sense of humour.

Interested?

If you’re passionate about nursing, enjoy helping people succeed and want to play a key role in a growing independent practice, we’d love to hear from you.

Bring your clinical expertise, ideas and passion for people. We’ll bring the opportunity, training and support to help you make a real difference.

We can’t wait to meet you over a cup of tea!