Head Veterinary Nurse - Equine - Fixed-Term Contract

IVC; Ashington; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

6.6 weeks’ annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

Pension scheme

RCVS and VDS fees covered

CPD allowance with paid time off

Job summary

inspiring vet care’s Sussex Equine Hospital is seeking a Head Equine Nurse for a 12-month, part-time role. You’ll lead a skilled nursing team, work with surgeons and clinicians, and help maintain high standards of care across the hospital.

You’ll oversee day-to-day clinic operations, rota planning, equipment management, and quality governance while promoting professional development within the team.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Manage the nursing team and support interns and head groom.
• Collaborate with surgeons, medics and reception to run the hospital efficiently.
• Set nursing standards, oversee governance and quality improvement.
• Develop a capable, confident nursing team and contribute to service improvement.

Skills

Registered Veterinary Nurse

Leadership

Clinical governance

Mentorship

Communication

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 Equine Nurse to join our team at Sussex Equine Hospital on a part-time basis. This is a fixed-term contract expected to last 12 months.

At Sussex Equine Hospital, you’ll be joining a welcoming and highly experienced team of 25 Veterinary Surgeons, 7 Veterinary Nurses including the head nurse, and 30 dedicated support staff. Within the team, we’re proud to have four specialists in Equine Surgery, two specialists in Internal Medicine, and two Diplomates in Equine Reproduction. This breadth of expertise creates a supportive environment with excellent opportunities for hands‑on learning, professional development, and day‑to‑day collaboration.

Our purpose‑built, state‑of‑the‑art facilities include advanced on‑site laboratory services, enabling us to provide an exceptional standard of care to both our clients and their horses. We are also a BEVA‑approved centre for artificial insemination and stud services.

Alongside our clinical work, we value being part of the local community. We host biannual Open Days and enjoy getting involved in charitable initiatives, with fundraising led by our team in support of causes that matter to us.

How You’ll Make a Difference

As a Head Equine Nurse, you will be responsible for managing the nursing team, supporting the intern team and working alongside the head groom. You will work closely with the surgeons and medics and the hospital clinic receptionist to ensure the hospital is running efficiently. You’ll play an integral part of our dedicated day team, delegating staff, writing up the day board and handling the rota. You will also be involved and in charge of equipment at the hospital, liaising with the dispensary team and company representatives. You will be responsible for the functioning of the clinic day to day, making sure patients are receiving the best possible care.

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

• 30 hours per week but we can be flexible
• Covering shifts across 5 days between the hours 7:30 am - 8 pm
• Weekend shifts are on call, Friday - Monday

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
• Ideally 5 years plus experience in a practice

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.

£0 - £0 a year

Up to £27,000 pa DOE