Head Veterinary Nurse

Medivet Group; Wealden; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary group is looking for a Head Registered Veterinary Nurse to join their friendly team at Forest Row. This role includes overseeing patient care, supporting the clinical team, and fostering a positive culture within the practice. You will have autonomy and support to develop your leadership skills while ensuring compliance and excellence in service. Ideal candidates are RCVS registered nurses with experience and a passion for veterinary nursing.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year’s experience in a Head Nurse position.
• At least three years of UK-qualified RVN experience.
• Ability to lead a clinical team effectively.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional patient care and support the veterinary team.
• Ensure compliance with clinical and safety standards.
• Lead and develop the nursing team while managing daily activities.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical Coaching

Client Care

Education

RCVS registered nurse

Clinical Coach qualification

Job description

We’re excited to offer an opportunity for a Head Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our dedicated and friendly team at Medivet Forest Row.

This role is ideal for someone with a minimum of one year’s experience in a Head Nurse position and at least three years of UK-qualified RVN experience, looking to take ownership of a well-established nursing team while continuing to grow their own leadership and clinical skills.

Set in a vibrant, community-focused village, Forest Row is nestled on the edge of the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, offering a lovely blend of countryside charm and local convenience. With independent cafés, green open spaces, and a strong community feel, it’s a peaceful and welcoming place to work while still being within easy reach of nearby towns like East Grinstead and Tunbridge Wells.

The Forest Row clinic offers a varied surgical and medical caseload, making it the perfect place to develop and use your nursing skills to their fullest potential. As Head Nurse, you’ll play a key part in the day-to-day running of the practice — supporting the team, leading by example, and helping to implement new ideas and standards that enhance both patient care and the working environment.

You’ll be supported by a close-knit and experienced team of 3 Vets, a Registered Veterinary Nurse, two Student Veterinary Nurses, and Client Care Assistants. The practice features 3 consult rooms, separate dog and cat wards, a large prep area, theatre, spacious waiting room, and on-site parking.

This is a full-time fixed-term contract (12 months) covering 40 hours per week, with a share in the 1:6 weekend rota at our nearby 24-hour hospital in Faygate.

Medivet is on an exciting growth journey — and we want our people to grow with us. You’ll be encouraged and supported to develop in your leadership role, and given the autonomy to make a meaningful impact.

For 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 coordinate 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.
• Clinical Coach qualification required or willingness to obtain qualification.
• 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.