Head Veterinary Nurse

Village Vets; Fingal; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Village Vets in Swords, Co. Dublin, is seeking a Head Veterinary Nurse to lead our nursing team and uphold high standards of patient care. This full-time, on-site role reports to the veterinary surgeons and involves mentoring staff, coordinating inpatient care, and supporting surgical and medical procedures.

You will oversee medication management, record-keeping, workflow planning, and safety protocols, while contributing to ongoing quality improvement and a positive, inclusive clinic culture.

Qualifications

• Registered veterinary nurse with eligibility to register in Ireland.
• Clinical nursing skills in small animal practice including inpatient care and anaesthesia monitoring.
• Experience in team leadership or supervisory roles.
• Strong communication and client-care skills.
• Excellent organisation and rota coordination.
• Commitment to animal welfare and infection control.

Responsibilities

• Oversee nursing operations within the clinic and ensure high standards of patient care.
• Lead and mentor the nursing team and coordinate inpatient care.
• Assist with surgical and medical procedures and manage medication administration, monitoring and records.
• Collaborate with veterinary surgeons on treatment plans and support diagnostic procedures.
• Maintain clinical protocols and ensure adherence to health and safety guidelines.
• Contribute to staff training, rota planning and continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Team leadership

Client communication

Organisational skills

Veterinary nursing

Inpatient care

Anaesthesia monitoring

Education

Veterinary nursing qualification

Tools

Practice management software

Job description

Company Description

Village Vets is a family-owned veterinary practice established in 1980, with clinics across Meath and Dublin. The practice has grown from one generation of pet lovers to a wider team of veterinary professionals who share core values of care, dignity, understanding patients’ needs, and earning client trust. Now led by Karl Cosgrave’s children, Charles and Julianne, Village Vets is committed to improving independent veterinary practice in Ireland and creating a sustainable, progressive future for its teams. The mission is to make lives better through excellence in veterinary care while prioritizing the interests of patients, customers, and colleagues. Ongoing investment in research, development, and staff training positions Village Vets as a leading destination for pet care in Ireland.

Role Description

The Head Veterinary Nurse will oversee nursing operations within the clinic, ensuring high standards of patient care, client communication, and workflow efficiency. Day-to-day responsibilities include leading and mentoring the nursing team, coordinating inpatient care, assisting with surgical and medical procedures, and managing medication administration, monitoring, and record-keeping. The role also involves collaborating with veterinary surgeons on treatment plans, supporting diagnostic procedures, maintaining clinical protocols, and ensuring adherence to health and safety guidelines. The Head Veterinary Nurse will contribute to staff training, rota planning, and continuous quality improvement initiatives, while fostering a supportive and inclusive team culture. This is a full-time on-site role based in Swords.

Qualifications

• Relevant veterinary nursing qualification and registration (or eligibility for registration) with the appropriate regulatory body.
• Demonstrated clinical nursing skills in small animal practice, including inpatient care, anaesthesia monitoring, surgical assistance, and medication administration.
• Experience in team leadership or supervisory roles, with the ability to mentor, support, and develop nursing staff.
• Strong communication and client-care skills, including empathy, clear explanations of treatment plans, and effective collaboration with veterinary surgeons and support staff.
• Organizational and time-management abilities, including rota coordination, maintaining accurate medical records, and prioritizing multiple cases in a busy clinic.
• Commitment to high standards of animal welfare, infection control, and health and safety practices in a clinical environment.
• Comfort with using veterinary practice management software and digital tools for scheduling, documentation, and communication.
• Interest in ongoing professional development, participation in training, and contributing to a positive, inclusive workplace culture.
• Previous experience in a senior or head nurse position in a companion animal practice is highly beneficial.