Vacancy for Head veterinary nurse, Central Liverpool

Bright Leaf Recruitment; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPD allowance

RCVS membership paid

VDS membership paid

Supportive leadership team

Job summary

Bright Leaf Recruitment personnel in Liverpool are seeking an experienced Head Veterinary Nurse to lead the nursing team and drive clinical excellence across a busy small animal practice. The role combines leadership with hands-on clinical work and a focus on development of the wider nursing team.

You will oversee rotas, mentor RVNs, student nurses and VCAs, and contribute to appraisals and training plans while maintaining high standards of infection control and patient care.

Qualifications

• RVN with at least five years' post-qualification experience.
• Experience in leadership or senior nursing roles.
• Strong anaesthetic, surgical and inpatient nursing skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Experience in rotas and staffing planning is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the nursing team and manage day-to-day organisation.
• Oversee rotas and staffing levels, monitor workflow.
• Mentor RVNs, student nurses, VCAs and support staff.
• Develop training needs and professional development.
• Lead nursing meetings and appraisals.
• Maintain clinical, professional and infection control standards.
• Develop and improve clinical protocols and SOPs.
• Support recruitment and performance management.

Skills

Leadership

Staff management

Clinical coaching

Team mentoring

Communication

Education

RVN (Registered Veterinary Nurse)

Job description

I have a lovely practice in Liverpool who are seeking an experienced and motivated Head Veterinary Nurse to lead its nursing team and play a key role in maintaining and developing clinical excellence across this busy and expanding small animal practice.

This is an excellent opportunity for an RVN with strong leadership experience who enjoys bringing out the best in others while remaining actively involved in clinical work. The successful candidate will lead by example, combining a supportive and approachable management style with the confidence to maintain high standards and ensure agreed expectations are consistently met.

Working closely with the Practice Manager and Veterinary Surgeons, the Head Veterinary Nurse will take responsibility for the day-to-day organisation and development of the nursing team. This will include overseeing rotas and staffing levels, monitoring workflow, supporting resource management and ensuring the practice continues to operate efficiently.

A key part of the position will be developing the wider nursing team. The Head Veterinary Nurse will provide mentoring and coaching to RVNs, student nurses, VCAs and support staff, identify training requirements and encourage ongoing professional development. They will also lead nursing meetings and one-to-one discussions, contribute to appraisals and development plans, and provide constructive support where improvement is required.

The role will also involve maintaining excellent clinical, professional and infection control standards, as well as helping to introduce, review and improve clinical protocols and SOPs. The successful candidate will be comfortable having challenging conversations when necessary and will promote a culture where teamwork, professionalism, accountability and continuous improvement are all valued. Experience as a Clinical Coach, conducting nurse consultations, or contributing to recruitment, appraisals and performance management would be advantageous.

The successful applicant will be a confident and experienced RVN with at least five years of post-qualification experience and previous experience in a senior, supervisory or leadership position within a busy small animal practice.

Strong anaesthetic, surgical and inpatient nursing skills are essential, alongside excellent organisational and time-management abilities. Experience creating and managing staff rotas is also required. The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator who can manage competing priorities, make confident decisions and approach challenges in a constructive and professional manner.

The practice offers a competitive salary of £35,000–£40,000 per annum, dependent on experience, together with a generous CPD allowance and paid RCVS and VDS memberships. The successful candidate will join a supportive leadership team and have the opportunity to make a genuine impact on the future development of the nursing department.