Head Registered Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal
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Head Registered Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal
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Closing Date for Applications: 16th June 2025
We are seeking a Head Veterinary Nurse to lead and develop our nursing team at Avondale, taking a key leadership role alongside our small animal Clinical Director.
Take the Lead in a Rewarding Role
As our Head Veterinary Nurse, you will be instrumental in guiding and supporting our nursing team, ensuring outstanding patient care at every step. This role offers the chance to influence clinical practice development, mentor junior nurses, and collaborate closely with the veterinary team to maintain smooth day-to-day operations.
Key Responsibilities Include
* Leading and managing the nursing team with strong guidance and support
* Overseeing patient care to ensure nursing best practices are consistently met
* Assisting with clinical and operational management, including stock control and protocol development
* Performing a variety of nursing duties such as surgeries, consultations, and inpatient care
* Promoting a positive, collaborative, and supportive team culture
* Partnering with the Practice Manager and Clinical Director to provide unified leadership to the wider team
A Practice Built for Exceptional Care
At Avondale Vets, we pride ourselves on fostering a positive, inclusive environment where teamwork and camaraderie flourish. From staff social events like our upcoming practice BBQ to active community engagement - including visits to local schools, participating in agricultural shows, and supporting a local council-run small zoo - we are committed to being both veterinary professionals and community advocates.
Our practice has a proud heritage; our founding partner famously identified the first-ever case of Left Displaced Abomasum (LDA). Since 2009, we have operated from our purpose-built premises at the Strathaven Rural Centre on the outskirts of town.
Meet Our Team
* 2 Clinical Directors (Equine and Small Animal)
* 1 Practice Manager
* 17 Vets (4 small animal, 4 farm animal, 3 equine, 6 export)
* Head RVN, 2 RVNs, 1 Small Animal SVN, and 9 Support Staff
Our small animal Clinical Director has been with Avondale for thirteen years. The small animal team includes vets currently completing advanced postgraduate certificates in surgery, orthopaedics, and cardiology.
We have invested in advanced laparoscopic surgical equipment, with vets trained to perform laparoscopic spays and expanding our in-house orthopaedic surgery capabilities, including TPLO. Our diagnostic toolkit features dental and digital radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy, and a lab with a microscope and camera system (Imagyst) that enables us to clearly demonstrate findings to clients.
What You'll Bring To The Team
We are looking for a qualified and registered Veterinary Nurse. While post-qualification experience is preferred, it is not essential. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership qualities, a passion for mentoring, and excellent communication skills. The ability to work well under pressure and a genuine commitment to the highest standards of clinical care are vital. Previous supervisory or senior nursing experience is highly desirable but not mandatory.
Working Hours
This is a full-time role, working 40 hours per week across 4 or 5 days, offering an excellent work-life balance with no out-of-hours or on-call responsibilities. Nurses share Saturday morning clinics on a rota basis, and these hours are included in the contracted weekly hours.
Because our employees matter
We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from -
Work-life balance
* 6.8 weeks annual leave
* Additional annual leave for your birthday
Wellbeing
* Private medical insurance
* Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
* Non-accidental injury support
Development
* £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid
* Certificate Support
* Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
* Access to Vetlexicon - our online encyclopaedia provider
* All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding
* Infection Prevention and Control Programme
* Quality Improvement Programme
Professional Memberships
* VDS cover
* RCVS fees
Additional
* Pawsome Benefits - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100's of retailers
* Pension - 5% Employee/3% Employer
* Discounted staff pet care
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Director
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
Job function
* Job function
Other
* Industries
Hospitals and Health Care, Non-profit Organizations, and Government Administration
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