Head Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal

British Veterinary Association; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a permanent Head Veterinary Nurse to join their team in Faversham and Whitstable. This full-time role focuses on leading the nursing team, ensuring high standards of patient care, and continuous professional development. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and communication skills, with a background in veterinary nursing. The position offers a competitive base salary with additional benefits including annual leave, medical insurance, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

£550 CPD allowance

Company pension scheme

Discounted treatment for pets

Qualifications

• Strong background in veterinary nursing required.
• Experience leading teams is ideal.
• Confidence and efficiency in managing tasks.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of leading the nursing team.
• Ensure excellent teamwork and patient care.
• Support team development and performance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Decision-making

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Clinical coach qualification

Job description

About the role

Lady Dane veterinary Centre has an exciting opportunity for a permanent small animal Head Veterinary Nurse to join our well-established practices in Faversham and Whitstable, Kent.

You will be working with our team of 3 full time vets, 3 RVNs, 4 receptionists and a practice manager who is also clinically trained. Your focus will be to manage all aspects of leading our nursing team and to ensure excellent teamwork, motivation and the highest levels of clinical and patient care.

You will be required to be confident and efficient with strong interpersonal, organisational, communication, and decision-making skills, along with a comprehensive background in veterinary nursing. A clinical coach qualification is desirable but not essential. Previous experience of leading puppy parties is ideal.

Working closely with our Director of Practice and Clinical Services and practice manager, you will support in team and project development, rotas, appraisals, managing nurse performance, stock control, bi-annual stock takes, develop and maintaining SOPs, budgets, health and safety and practice standards. On a monthly basis you will need to attend out of practice meetings with the company, so a car is ideal.

About us

Our well-equipped practices have digital radiography, endoscopy, ultrasound, doppler, in house idexx laboratories, multiparameter machines, tonometry and dental x-ray. The practices are located 13 minutes\' drive apart and our newly refurbished Whitstable site is a 2-minute walk from the beach front and has easy access to the town centre, train station and Thanet Way. Whitstable is known for its many novelty shops and its annual Oyster festival. Our Faversham practice is a large purpose-built centre and few minutes\' drive from the busy town centre with various restaurants and has easy links to the Thanet way.

Working hours

The position is full-time role with hours from 08:00 to 18:30, 4 days a week and 1:4 Saturdays from 08:00-16:00.

Because our people matter

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from -

Work-life balance

• 6.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays

Wellbeing

• Private Medical Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline
• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing

Development

• £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid CPD leave pro rata
• Certificate support
• Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Access to Vetlexicon - our online encyclopaedia provider
• All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding
• Infection Prevention and Control Programme
• Quality Improvement Programme

Professional Memberships

• VDS cover
• RCVS fees

Colleague Benefits

• Company pension scheme. IVC Evidensia will make a contribution as well
• Supporting a greener commute to work with a Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria
• Voluntary benefits: we give you the flexibility to choose from a range of voluntary benefits to suit you
• Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
• Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice