RVN Clinical Team Leader - Wards & HDU

IVC Evidensia; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Pension scheme

6.6 weeks’ annual leave

RCVS fees covered

Cycle to Work scheme

CPD allowance of £1000 and paid study

Job summary

Hamilton Specialist Referrals is seeking an experienced RVN to lead the Wards & HDU Clinical Team. This senior role involves frontline care and strategic leadership across inpatient services, reporting to the Clinical Nursing Manager.

The hospital operates 24/7 and handles complex orthopaedic, neurology, soft tissue, and internal medicine cases. The role emphasizes development of a close-knit nursing team, with support for further qualifications and a focus on delivering exceptional patient care

Qualifications

• Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS.
• ECC qualification or equivalent desirable.
• Experience in high-dependency and ward-based nursing.
• Demonstrated leadership including line management and development.
• Experience in referral or advanced-care settings.
• Strong communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HDU and inpatient wards providing clinical leadership.
• Mentor nursing staff and conduct appraisals.
• Coordinate patient flow and admissions.
• Support clinicians and ensure treatment plans are followed.
• Maintain infection control and governance.

Skills

RVN

Leadership

ECC

RCVS registration

Team coordination

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 delighted to open applications for an experienced, confident RVN to join and lead our Wards & HDU team at Hamilton Specialist Referrals as Wards & HDU Clinical Team Leader. This is a senior clinical role within the nursing team, working collaboratively across our inpatient care function, and reporting to the Clinical Nursing Manager.

Hamilton Specialist Referrals was born of the belief that there is room for a new wave of veterinary excellence across the UK. There is a strong focus on providing a personal and reassuring client experience from first contact through to discharge. Excellent clinical care delivered in a friendly and supportive manner to referring vets, is paramount to the team. The hospital is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is able to offer the most advanced treatment options available for orthopaedic, neurology, soft tissue, and internal medicine cases.

Curating and developing a friendly, close-knit team is a central part of our working environment. Further qualifications and certificates are encouraged and fully supported as we feel strongly about our employees' right to enjoy work and develop rewarding careers. We have a dedicated team of Specialists, RVNs, and a fantastic support teams.

How You'll Make a Difference

We are seeking an experienced and confident Clinical Team Leader to join our referral hospital and provide support to our team in a leadership role within our inpatient services. This position is ideal for an RVN with strong clinical experience in high-dependency and ward-based nursing who enjoys and mixture of providing hands on clinical care and supporting teams, coordinating patient flow and working closely with clinicians in a fast-paced referral environment.

As Wards & HDU Clinical Team Leader, you will provide excellent inpatient care and clinical leadership. You will provide nurse team leadership across the HDU and inpatient wards, supporting our RVNs and VCAs to deliver exceptional standards of care while ensuring safe, efficient workflow throughout the hospital. Leading a team of 10, you will take on line management responsibility including appraisals, coaching, development and performance management, with the support of our Nursing Manager and Senior Wards & HDU Nurse.

Clinically, your role will focus on the recovery and ongoing care of hospitalised patients. You'll collaborate closely with the veterinary team to maintain the highest standards of nursing care. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and takes pride in positively impacting the wellbeing of our patients.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Deliver exceptional patient care across HDU and inpatient wards, maintaining the highest clinical, professional and welfare standards.
• Support clinical governance through accurate record-keeping, infection control, and upkeep of wards and equipment.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and mentorship to the nursing team, fostering development, confidence and clinical excellence.
• Act as a key communication link between nurses, referral clinicians and coordinators to ensure seamless patient care.
• Participate in and support clinician ward rounds, ensuring treatment plans are implemented, monitored and escalated appropriately.
• Coordinate nursing workflow, including rota support, case prioritisation and continuity of care in a high-acuity environment
• Work collaboratively with the Workflow Coordinator and Patient Coordinator to optimise patient flow, admissions and discharges.

Working Pattern

• Full-time role
• 40 hours per week over 4 days within the hours of 07:30-20:30
• 1:6 weekend rota
• 1-2 bank holidays per year with TOIL
• Part time hours may be considered

You Might Be a Great Fit If...

Skills

You are an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse with advanced nursing skills in inpatient care and a passion for leading and developing a team. You'll bring:

• Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS
• Further qualification in ECC or similar would be desirable, such as a certificate, Advanced Diploma or VTS
• Significant experience in clinical practice with advanced nursing skills in inpatient care of complex cases
• Demonstrable leadership experience is desirable, including line management, coaching and development
• Experience working with complex hospitalised surgical and medical cases in a referral or advanced-care setting
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams
• A commitment to evidence-based practice, clinical governance and continuous improvement

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 specialist nursing role within a referral environment delivering complex and rewarding caseloads
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities within referral nursing and leadership roles
• Ongoing learning and development to support advanced clinical and professional growth
• A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, learning and continuous improvement

What We Offer Our Team

• 6.6 weeks' annual leave
• Increasing holiday allowance based on 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
• £1000 Management and Clinical CPD allowance plus 24 hours paid leave
• RCVS and VDS fees covered
• Pension scheme
• Discounted veterinary care
• Voluntary benefits 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 £40,000 DOE

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.