Lead Theatre Supervisor (RVN)
Job Title: Lead Theatre Supervisor (RVN)
Location: North Downs Specialist Referrals
Job Type: Permanent
Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
Salary: Starting salary up to £39,500 per annum, depending on experience.
Why Apply for This Role?
Step into a senior RVN leadership role where you can take full ownership of theatre operations while staying hands‑on clinically. This is an opportunity to lead within a large, specialist referral hospital, working alongside experienced clinicians and a highly skilled nursing team. You’ll have a structured weekday schedule with no weekends or out‑of‑hours, clear progression pathways, and the chance to directly influence patient care, team performance, and theatre efficiency. If you’re looking to move into a leadership position without stepping away from clinical work, this role offers the right balance of responsibility, development, and support.
About Us
North Downs Specialist Referrals is an internationally recognised, RCVS‑accredited veterinary referral centre, providing advanced medical and surgical care across multiple disciplines. You will be working alongside one of the largest groups of veterinary specialists in the UK and Europe and supported by a team of over 60 Registered Veterinary Nurses. Specialisms include surgery, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, cardiology, diagnostic imaging, anaesthesia and more. Our Nursing Pathways programme is designed to support RVNs at every stage of their career, offering structured development, leadership opportunities, and continued clinical progression.
The Role
This is a full‑time permanent position (40 hours per week): Monday to Friday: 8:00am–17:00pm. No weekends, no out‑of‑hours. As Lead Theatre Supervisor, you will play a key role in managing the day‑to‑day running of theatre while supporting and leading the nursing team. You will be responsible for coordinating workflow, maintaining high clinical standards, and ensuring efficient patient throughput across departments. This is a hands‑on leadership role suited to an experienced RVN who thrives in a fast‑paced referral environment.
Your Role and Responsibilities
* Lead the day‑to‑day organisation of the theatre department, including case scheduling and team coordination.
* Plan and allocate staffing resources effectively across shifts, adapting to changes in workload.
* Maintain and drive high standards of patient care in line with professional and practice expectations.
* Act as a visible, supportive leader within the theatre team, providing guidance and clinical support.
* Proactively manage and resolve operational, staffing, and clinical challenges during shifts.
* Coordinate patient flow through effective communication with Wards, Diagnostics, Reception, and Bookings.
* Ensure theatre areas are maintained to a high clinical and hygiene standard.
* Oversee downtime effectively, ensuring cleaning, maintenance, and organisation tasks are completed.
About You
We are looking for a motivated and experienced RVN ready to step into a leadership role.
Requirements
* RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse.
* Minimum 2–3 years’ experience within a multidisciplinary referral practice.
* Strong organisational and time management skills.
* Confident working in a fast‑paced clinical environment.
* High attention to detail and commitment to clinical excellence.
* Proactive, solutions‑focused approach.
* Strong communication skills with the ability to work across multiple teams.
* Excellent command of written and spoken English.
* Professional and compassionate approach at all times.
* Right to work in the UK.
Culture & Support
We pride ourselves on having a genuinely supportive culture, offering:
* Regular CPD and learning opportunities.
* Monthly team meetings and communication.
* Career development opportunities (including additional qualifications if desired).
* Social team culture with events including Christmas Party.
Benefits
* 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays + Birthday Leave.
* RCVS and VDS fees paid.
* External CPD funded.
* Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD programmes.
* Career progression opportunities.
* Staff discount schemes.
* Enhanced sickness pay.
* Enhanced equal family leave.
* Wellness programme including employee assistance programme.
* Eyecare voucher scheme.
* Free annual Flu jab.
* Cycle to work scheme.
* Childcare vouchers.
* Recruitment referral reward scheme.
Additional Information
North Downs Specialist Referrals is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family‑owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, we can truly be driven by our purpose, to create a better world, and think long‑term as opposed to being focused solely on short‑term profits.
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