Head Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal

IVC Evidensia UK; Faversham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established veterinary practice in Faversham is seeking a permanent Head Veterinary Nurse to manage a dedicated nursing team. The role involves leadership, teamwork, and high standards of clinical care, along with responsibilities in project development and performance management. The position offers a competitive salary of up to £36,000 pa, alongside comprehensive benefits aimed at supporting work-life balance and professional development.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

£550 CPD allowance

VDS cover

Company pension scheme

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal, organisational, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Comprehensive background in veterinary nursing.
• Clinical coach qualification is desirable, but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead the nursing team.
• Support team and project development.
• Attend out of practice meetings monthly.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Decision-making skills

Veterinary nursing background

Job description

Overview

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 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.

Responsibilities

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 -

Benefits

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

Salary of up to £36,000 pa DOE