Head Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal

White Cliffs Veterinary Surgery; Dover; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local veterinary practice in Dover is seeking a Head Veterinary Nurse to oversee the nursing team and ensure high standards of care. You will lead a skilled team, manage shift rotas, and maintain clinical protocols. The role offers a supportive environment with opportunities for professional development and a salary of up to £35,000 per annum based on experience.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

CPD allowance

Company pension scheme

Discounted treatment for pets

Qualifications

• Experience in managing a veterinary nursing team.
• Proficient in clinical procedures and protocols.
• Strong leadership abilities to guide and support team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the nursing team, providing guidance.
• Create and manage nursing team shift and role rotas.
• Oversee patient care to ensure best practice.
• Collaborate with veterinary team to improve efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Patient care

Team management

Operational procedures

Education

Registered Veterinary Nurse qualification

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head Veterinary Nurse to join our supportive team at White Cliffs Vets. You will play a key role in overseeing the nursing team and ensuring best practices are followed. You will lead by example, driving high standards of care, creating nursing team shift and role rotas, setting up and reviewing SOPs, supporting CPD development, and providing ongoing support to the nursing and wider practice teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the nursing team, providing guidance and support
• Create nursing team shift and role rotas, manage holiday requests
• Oversee patient care to ensure best practice in all nursing aspects
• Assist in managing clinical and operational procedures, including stock control and clinical protocols
• Perform a wide range of nursing duties, including surgeries, consultations, and inpatient care
• Collaborate closely with the Leadership team and veterinary team to improve operational efficiency and patient care

About us

White Cliffs vets is a spacious small animal practice situated in a beautiful part of Kent near to the White Cliffs of Dover, with easy access to mainland Europe via ferry from the port of Dover. It is surrounded by coastline and countryside, with the historic city of Canterbury nearby offering a wide variety of shops, bars, restaurants, cinemas and a theatre. The practice has a large waiting room with separate cat and dog areas, 4 consulting rooms, a dedicated nurse consult room, internal lab, prep room including dental area, large theatre and separate cat and dog wards along with separate isolation facilities.

We have a skilled and close-knit nursing team comprising 4 Registered Veterinary Nurses and one Year 3 Student Veterinary Nurse, working a mixture of full-time and part-time hours. As Head Veterinary Nurse, you will lead this team, maintain high clinical standards, and deliver exceptional care to our patients and clients.

Our vet team is comprised of 3 experienced vets, one of whom is undertaking a surgery certificate and supported by a Lead Vet from a sister practice in the area. We have two reception colleagues and a Director of Practice. The practice has a caring and supportive culture with plenty of opportunity to learn from senior and visiting colleagues, and we encourage sharing CPD to ensure we deliver the best care for our patients and clients.

The welfare of our team is very important to us and we strive to provide a good work/life balance and a supportive environment.

Working hours

Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM or 8:20 AM - 6:20 PM, with one weekday off per week. Includes one Saturday morning in four (8:30 AM - 12:30 PM).

Benefits and development

• Work-life balance: 6.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
• Private Medical Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline
• Enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay)
• CPD and development opportunities including £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid CPD leave pro rata
• Certificate support and learning via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Access to Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia
• Research funding opportunities for Vets & Nurses
• Infection Prevention and Control Programme
• Quality Improvement Programme
• VDS cover and RCVS fees
• Company pension scheme with employer contributions
• Cycle to Work and Green Cars Scheme (subject to eligibility)
• Voluntary benefits and access to discounts with participating retailers
• Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice

Salary

Salary of up to £35,000 per annum DOE