Overview
We are delighted to open applications for a Head Anaesthesia Nurse to join Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists on a fixed-term maternity cover basis. This is a senior leadership role within our anaesthesia and pain management service, offering the opportunity to combine advanced clinical nursing with people leadership and team development in a busy, multidisciplinary referral hospital. Reporting into the Nurse Manager, you will provide leadership and direction to the anaesthesia nursing team, ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the service. You will act as a role model and mentor, supporting your team of 6 Anaesthesia Nurses while maintaining the highest standards of patient care and safety.
This role blends hands-on clinical anaesthesia with operational oversight. You will be responsible for managing daily workflow, staff rotas, and resources, while also overseeing equipment, SOPs, and health & safety. You will also play a key role in recruitment, inductions, appraisals, and the ongoing professional development of your team. As a visible and approachable leader, you will foster collaboration across all disciplines, ensuring your team feels supported, empowered, and able to deliver gold-standard patient care.
Key Responsibilities
* Providing clinical leadership within anaesthesia, supporting and mentoring your nursing team.
* Overseeing daily workflow, staff rotas, and resources to ensure safe and efficient service delivery.
* Maintaining anaesthesia equipment, consumables, and protocols in line with SOPs and health & safety requirements.
* Supporting recruitment, induction, appraisals, and the professional growth of the anaesthesia nursing team.
* Delivering hands-on clinical care, including anaesthetic planning, patient monitoring, and post-operative support.
* Working collaboratively with anaesthetists, clinicians, and the wider nursing leadership team to deliver an efficient and effective service.
* Leading departmental meetings and contributing to service development within SCVS and the wider IVC Evidensia network.
About SCVS and the team
SCVS is a specialist-led small animal hospital with the facilities and expertise to support complex cases. We are a large multidisciplinary referral hospital based in Ringwood, Hampshire, offering state-of-the-art equipment and comprehensive patient care from initial consultation to discharge. Our team includes specialists across multiple disciplines, a dedicated rehabilitation team, and a strong nursing and veterinary support staff to ensure patient comfort and care throughout their stay.
Qualifications and qualities
We are seeking an experienced and confident Registered Veterinary Nurse with extensive knowledge of anaesthesia and analgesia. You will combine excellent clinical expertise with strong organisational and problem-solving skills, and you will be a compassionate, people-focused leader who supports your team’s growth and wellbeing. You should thrive under pressure in a busy referral hospital with the ability to make sound decisions. Previous referral experience or advanced anaesthesia qualifications (e.g., a certificate or VTS) would be advantageous, but applications from those in large, busy first opinion hospitals with strong anaesthesia foundations and motivation to develop further are welcome. Above all, you should be passionate about patient safety and comfort, committed to supporting your team, and prepared to lead by example in line with our values at IVC Evidensia.
Working hours
This is a fixed-term contract position for 12 months maternity cover. We can consider part-time or full-time hours for the successful candidate, from 27.5 to 40 hours per week across 3, 4 or 5 days, including 1:5 Sundays. Preferred days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, but this is open to discussion. Shift times will fall between 08:30–19:30.
Salary and benefits
Please note benefits are listed on a full-time equivalent basis. Salary information provided: £0 - £0 a year and £18.60 - £19.60/hr DOE.
Benefits
* 6.6 weeks annual leave
* 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
* £550 CPD allowance with 3 days paid leave
* Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
* Access to Vetlexicon – our online encyclopaedia provider
* Research funding opportunities for Vets & Nurses
* Care Fund £1000 per annum for Vets
* Infection Prevention and Control Programme
* Quality Improvement Programme
* VDS cover and RCVS fees
* Pawsome Benefits – discount and cashback with retailers
* Pension – 5% Employee/3% Employer
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