Head Veterinary Nurse – Fixed Term

Vets Now; Hempstalls; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Enhanced sick and maternity pay

7 weeks annual leave

Birthday paid day off

CPD allowance

Job summary

Vets Now is seeking a Head Veterinary Nurse for our Stoke clinic to lead a large team of vet nurses and clinical support staff. The role combines clinical leadership with people-management, mentoring, and maintaining high standards of patient care.

You will oversee day-to-day operations, rota management, and relationships with host practices, while ensuring equipment quality and staff welfare. A fixed-term contract with competitive benefits supports development and recognition.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years’ experience in an out of hours and critical care environment.
• Proven experience of managing others, preferably in a veterinary setting.
• Demonstratable experience of managing performance.
• Motivated to maintain high clinic standards.
• Passionate about caring for our clients and their pets.

Responsibilities

• Ensure day-to-day operational and financial management of the clinic is maintained.
• Rota and gaps management.
• Maintain strong relationships with host practices through regular communications.
• Responsible for quality control of clinical equipment.
• Team and welfare management, including mentoring and supporting staff, appraisals, performance, and return-to-work tasks.

Skills

Staff management

Leadership

Veterinary experience

Performance management

Client care

Job description

Head Veterinary Nurse – Stoke

Up to £40,000 DOE plus benefits

12 months Fixed Term Contract from November 2026

About Vets Now

Vets Now is the UK’s leading provider of emergency pet care, serving over 1700 veterinary practices through 60 plus dedicated out-of-hours clinics and two 24/7 pet emergency hospitals. Our Stoke clinic has been providing expert vet care since 2004 and the team have recently been recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as an outstanding provider of emergency veterinary care.

Understanding your key role

You will be leader of a large team of vet nurses and clinical support staff in an already well-established clinic. Whilst on clinical shifts you will maintain a high standard of patient care alongside being passionate about developing and coaching your team.

Duties will include, but not limited to:

• Ensuring day-to-day operational and financial management of the clinic is maintained.
• Rota and gaps management.
• Maintaining strong relationships with host practices through regular communications.
• Responsibility for quality control of clinical equipment.
• Team and welfare management, including mentoring and supporting staff, appraisals, performance, and return-to-work tasks.

Key requirements

• Minimum of two years’ experience working in an out of hours and critical care environment.
• Proven experience of managing others, preferably in a veterinary setting.
• Demonstratable experience of managing performance.
• Motivated to maintain high clinic standards.
• Passionate about caring for our clients and their pets.

Working pattern

A full-time role with Vets Now comprises of 40 hours per week. This role will include working as a clinical member of the team on weeknights, 1:2 weekends and bank holidays as well as having dedicated time to carry out management duties and attend meetings.

Shifts will include:

Monday to Sunday Nightshifts from 18:00 to 09:00
Saturday dayshift from 12:00 to 18:30
Sunday dayshift from 08:30 to 18:30 or 09:00 to 19:00

Plus, a fair share of bank holidays.

Unlock your potential

We will support you in your development and provide you with access to professional qualifications, such as our widely recognised ECC certificate and industry leading CPD package.

Why Join Us?

• Private medical insurance.
• Enhanced sick and maternity pay.
• 7 weeks annual leave.
• Your birthday as a paid day off.
• £1125 CPD allowance plus 20 paid hours.
• RCVS fees paid and ECC certificate support.
• Reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100s of retailers.
• UK Standard Pension contributions – 5% Employee/3% Employer.
• Up to 50% discounted staff pet care.
• Death in service of two times annual salary.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those from diverse and minority groups. As a Disability Confident Employer, we encourage candidates with disabilities and health conditions to apply and are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.