Head Veterinary Nurse - Part-time

IVC; Torquay; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 33,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

6.6 weeks’ annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

RCVS and VDS fees covered

Pension scheme

Discounted veterinary care

Job summary

South Devon Vets in Torquay is seeking a Head Veterinary Nurse for a part‑time role to lead the nursing team and uphold high standards of patient care. The position involves governance, staff development and close collaboration with the Senior Vet and Practice Director.

You will work 34 hours per week, with potential Saturday cover and a focus on developing the nursing team within a busy first opinion practice.

Qualifications

• Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS.
• Experience leading and mentoring nursing teams.
• Strong governance and quality improvement understanding.
• Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, support and develop the nursing team, encouraging teamwork and professional growth.
• Maintain high standards of clinical care, patient welfare and nursing practice.
• Support the smooth day‑to‑day running and organisation of the practice.
• Work closely with the Senior Vet, Practice Director and wider team to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the practice, ensuring excellent patient care.

Skills

RCVS registration

Leadership

Team mentoring

Clinical governance

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 an enthusiastic, team-orientated Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our team at South Devon Vets - Torquay on a part-time basis.

South Devon Vets is a close-knit group of practices providing first opinion, hospital and referral care across South Devon. Our teams work collaboratively across our sites, sharing knowledge, experience and resources to provide comprehensive care for our patients and clients.

Our Torquay practice is a busy and friendly first opinion practice, supported by the wider South Devon Vets team and our hospital and referral facilities at Abbotskerswell.

We have a strong clinical team with a broad range of experience and interests, and we are committed to developing our people, improving our clinical standards and providing an environment where our teams can thrive.Across our sites, you’ll have access to excellent facilities including in-house laboratory equipment, CT, ultrasound, endoscopy, tonometry, digital X-ray, and dental X-ray. Our referral hospital also provides specialist ophthalmology and orthopaedic services, alongside advanced procedures such as laparoscopic surgery and outpatient CT imaging.

How You’ll Make a Difference

As a Head Veterinary Nurse, you will provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team, overseeing all nursing aspects of the practice and supporting the delivery of high‑quality patient and client 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

• Part‑time, 34 hours per week
• 08:00 and 18:30, Monday to Friday
• Occasionally may be requirement to provide cover for our Saturday Emergency Service at our Veterinary Hospital in Abbotskerswell.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, support and develop the nursing team, encouraging teamwork and professional growth.
• Maintain high standards of clinical care, patient welfare and nursing practice.
• Support the smooth day‑to‑day running and organisation of the practice.
• Work closely with the Senior Vet, Practice Director and wider team to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the practice, ensuring excellent patient care.

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

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 £33,000 FTE