Head Veterinary Nurse – Glanmire, Cork

Veterinary ST; Cork; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Relocation assistance may be available

CPD and professional development

Career progression opportunities

Temporary accommodation may be offered

Job summary

The Vet Office in Glanmire, Co. Cork seeks an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse to step into a Head Veterinary Nurse role, combining hands-on clinical nursing with team leadership.

The successful candidate will mentor junior staff, maintain high clinical standards and drive continuous improvement in patient care. This is not a purely management post—you will remain actively involved in clinical work while shaping nursing practice and supporting a collaborative veterinary team.

Qualifications

• Solid small-animal veterinary nursing experience.
• Strong communication and organisational abilities.
• Willingness to mentor and develop junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the nursing team.
• Coordinate day-to-day nursing department activities.
• Provide clinical nursing and theatre support.
• Monitor anaesthesia and care for inpatient cases.
• Support vets with procedures and treatments.
• Organise nursing rotas and workflows.
• Mentor new team members and foster CPD.

Skills

Small-animal nursing

Leadership potential

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Mentoring

Clinical nursing

Education

Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)

Job description

The Vet Office is recruiting an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) for an exciting Head Veterinary Nurse position in Glanmire, Co. Cork.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced veterinary nurse who would like to progress into a leadership position while remaining actively involved in clinical nursing.

A sign-on bonus is available, together with an attractive benefits package, professional development opportunities and potential relocation support.

The Role

As Head Veterinary Nurse, you will have an important role in the day-to-day running of the practice and will work closely with the veterinary team to ensure excellent standards of patient care.

The position combines clinical nursing, team leadership, organisation and mentoring.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Leading and supporting the nursing team
• Coordinating the day-to-day activities of the nursing department
• Maintaining high standards of clinical and patient care
• Surgical nursing and theatre support
• Anaesthesia monitoring
• Inpatient and hospitalised patient care
• Nurse consultations
• Laboratory and diagnostic work
• Supporting vets with procedures and treatments
• Helping organise nursing rotas and workflow
• Mentoring and supporting junior nurses
• Helping new team members integrate into the practice
• Encouraging continued professional development within the nursing team
• Maintaining and improving nursing protocols and clinical standards
• Ensuring good communication between the veterinary and nursing teams
• Contributing ideas to improve efficiency and patient care within the clinic

Importantly, this is not purely a management position. You will continue to be involved in hands‑on clinical nursing while having the opportunity to influence how the nursing team develops.

What´s On Offer

• Competitive salary, depending on experience
• Sign‑on bonus available
• Attractive employee benefits package
• CPD and professional development support
• Career progression opportunities
• Opportunity to develop leadership and management skills
• Supportive veterinary and nursing team
• Relocation assistance may be available
• Temporary accommodation may be available for candidates relocating for the position

Who Are We Looking For?

• Have solid small‑animal veterinary nursing experience
• Are confident clinically and enjoy hands‑on nursing
• Have excellent communication and organisational skills
• Enjoy supporting and developing other members of the team
• Can help create a positive and collaborative working environment
• Are interested in leadership and taking greater responsibility within a practice

You do not necessarily need to already be a Head Nurse.

Experienced RVNs and Senior Veterinary Nurses who feel ready to progress into their first Head Nurse position are encouraged to apply.

Glanmire, Cork

Glanmire is located just outside Cork City, making the position particularly attractive for someone who wants access to everything Cork has to offer while working outside the city centre.