Overview
We are excited to open applications for a Head Surgery Nurse at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists. This is a senior leadership role within our theatre team, offering the opportunity to shape the surgical service, support the growth of our people, and ensure gold-standard patient care across a busy, multidisciplinary referral hospital.
Lead the future of surgical nursing at SCVS. Reporting into the Nurse Manager, you will provide leadership and direction to the surgical nursing team. You will act as a role model, balancing clinical expertise with people management, ensuring the perioperative service runs safely, smoothly and efficiently.
This role combines hands-on clinical work with operational oversight. You will maintain high standards in theatre, coordinate resources, and ensure procedures run efficiently, while also supporting recruitment, rotas, performance reviews, health and safety, and the ongoing professional development of your team. As a visible and approachable leader, you will nurture a supportive culture within the department and ensure seamless collaboration across all disciplines in the hospital.
Responsibilities
* Provide clinical leadership and support to the surgical nursing team, acting as a role model and mentor.
* Manage daily workflow, staffing, and resources to ensure safe and efficient surgical lists.
* Oversee surgical equipment, stock, and theatre protocols, ensuring compliance with SOPs and health & safety standards.
* Support recruitment, induction, performance reviews and professional development for the team.
* Scrub in and provide advanced perioperative nursing care where needed.
* Work collaboratively with clinicians, the senior nursing team and other departments to maintain a smooth and efficient service.
The team and environment
SCVS is a specialist-led small animal hospital with state-of-the-art facilities and a multidisciplinary approach, based in Ringwood, Hampshire. We recently expanded with a new theatre complex, client reception and waiting area, consulting rooms, rehabilitation centre, diagnostic suite and ICU area.
We have an outstanding team of specialists across multiple disciplines, a dedicated rehabilitation team, and a nursing team focused on patient care. You will lead a team of 3 Surgical RVNs and 3 Surgical VCAs.
Qualifications and qualities
* Registered Veterinary Nurse with strong surgical and anaesthesia knowledge.
* Demonstrable leadership experience and the ability to develop and manage a team.
* Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills with a people-focused management style.
* Ability to work under pressure in a busy referral environment; previous referral experience is desirable.
* A certificate in surgery or anaesthesia is advantageous; candidates from large busy first opinion hospitals with strong surgical foundations are welcome.
* Passion for patient care and team development; lead by example in line with company values.
Role details
* Full-time, 40 hours per week, over 4 or 5 days, between 07:00-19:00.
* No planned weekends; required to participate in the bank holiday rota and occasional additional cover for team absence.
Salary and benefits
This range is provided by Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Development and rewards
* 6.6 weeks annual leave; additional entitlement for your birthday.
* Private medical insurance; enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay).
* Cycle to Work scheme; wellbeing initiatives.
* £550 CPD allowance with 3 days paid leave; access to IVC Evidensia Academy; Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia; research funding for Vets & Nurses; Care Fund allowance; Infection Prevention and Control Programme; Quality Improvement Programme.
* VDS cover; RCVS fees; Pawsome Benefits; Pension (5% Employee / 3% Employer); discounted staff pet care.
Seniority and employment
* Seniority level: Not Applicable
* Employment type: Full-time
* Job function: Other
* Industries: Veterinary Services
Applications will close on Friday 19th September.
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