At Pet People Vets, our values - Love, Opportunity, Quality and Curiosity guide everything we do. The Head Veterinary Nurse plays a vital role in bringing these values to life, leading the nursing team and contributing as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team.
This is more than a management role. It is a leadership position at the heart of our independent, owner-led practice, shaping both the everyday running of the clinic and the long-term future of the business.
Role Overview
As Head Veterinary Nurse, you will:
* Lead and inspire our nursing team, creating a culture of compassion, professionalism and growth.
* Ensure patients consistently receive optimal care and clients feel supported and reassured.
* Balance quality with efficiency, managing resources responsibly.
* Contribute to practice strategy and direction as part of the Senior Leadership Team.
* Support the professional development and wellbeing of your team, ensuring they feel valued and motivated.
* Foster collaboration across all areas of the practice, ensuring seamless, high-quality service.
Role at a Glance
Position: Head Registered Veterinary Nurse (Head RVN)
Hours: 40 hours per week (4 day working week, with time back for working weekends)
Rota: 1 in 6 weekends, shared bank holiday rota (approx. 1 per year), no out-of-hours
Base site: Primarily East Sheen site, with responsibility across both East Sheen and Richmond clinics
Facilities: Bright, modern clinics with advanced facilities including CT scanner, dental suite with radiography, large prep area, separate patient wards, and four consulting rooms
Clinical opportunities: Full use of Schedule 3 skills (e.g. stitch-ups, lump removals, dental radiography, scale & polish) CT operation and nurse clinics
Other Benefits:
* Birthday off every year
* Cycle to work scheme
* Regular team socials (from yoga and rock climbing to relaxed pub evenings)
* Support for professional development, including CPD and leadership training
This role combines hands-on clinical nursing with strategic leadership offering variety, progression and the opportunity to make a real impact.
Main Purpose & Goals
Lead with Love: Support and inspire the nursing team, ensuring a positive and caring working environment.
Create Opportunity: Champion professional development for all team members, from student nurses to experienced RVNs.
Deliver Quality: Ensure every patient receives optimal care and every client receives clear, compassionate communication.
Encourage Curiosity : Foster continuous improvement, learning and innovation in clinical and operational practice.
As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will:
* Contribute to the long-term strategy and vision of the practice.
* Report on the progress, successes and challenges of the nursing team.
* Drive initiatives that enhance the practice's reputation for excellent care and service.
* Ensure effective communication and collaboration across all teams.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & People
* Lead, inspire and develop the nursing team, setting clinical standards, mentoring individuals and creating opportunities for growth.
* Conduct regular meetings, 1–1s and performance reviews.
* Address challenges fairly and confidently to maintain team wellbeing and performance.
* Oversee recruitment, induction and onboarding of nursing staff.
* Support training and development of student nurses, ACAs and kennel assistants.
Clinical Excellence
* Carry out all general nursing duties and support vets in delivering high-quality care.
* Deliver and oversee nurse-led clinics and Schedule 3 procedures.
* Operate advanced diagnostics (CT, dental radiography) and support complex cases.
* Monitor in-patients with accurate records to ensure safe anaesthetics and recoveries.
* Provide clear, compassionate communication with clients.
Operations & Practice Protocols
* Oversee the safe and smooth running of the practice on a day-to-day basis.
* Manage the pharmacy, ensuring accurate records, safe dispensing, stock rotation and cost control.
* Take responsibility for controlled drug storage, recording, auditing and disposal.
* Ensure equipment and building maintenance safety and documentation meet legal and clinical standards.
* Lead audits and inspections, ensuring full compliance with RCVS Practice Standards and other regulations.
* Maintain and implement practice policies promoting a culture of accountability and safety.
Client & Community
* Promote outstanding client service as a core part of nursing leadership.
* Support reception and give inpatient updates where needed.
* Represent the nursing team in Senior Leadership meetings.
* Assist with open days, CPD evenings and marketing initiatives.
* Welcome and support visiting vets, students and work experience placements.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
* Registered Veterinary Nurse with proven practice experience.
* Experience leading, mentoring or supervising a team.
* Confident delivering nurse-led clinics.
Desirable
* Previous experience in a Head Nurse or equivalent leadership role.
* Competence in dental radiography and advanced nursing techniques.
* Experience with CT imaging.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
* Strong knowledge of all core RVN duties and nursing procedures.
* Sound clinical judgment and ability to prioritise.
* Clear written and verbal communication skills.
* Organised, calm under pressure and solutions-focused.
Desirable
* Experience with EzyVet practice management system.
* Familiarity with Idexx in-house laboratory systems.
* Knowledge of stock management and computerised ordering systems.
Qualifications
Essential
* RVN qualification and RCVS registration.
Desirable
* 4+ years post-qualification experience.
* Clinical Coach status.
* Leadership or management qualification.
Personal Qualities
Essential
* Enthusiastic, approachable and supportive.
* Professional, flexible and adaptable.
* Pays attention to detail with a commitment to high standards.
* Team-focused, with the ability to inspire others.
* Logical and practical approach to problem-solving.
Desirable
* Actively seeks professional growth.
* Contributes ideas for improving care, teamwork and client services.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £38,000.00-£42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Cycle to work scheme
* Free parking
* On-site parking
* Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
* London SW14: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
* Can you describe a time when you successfully managed or supported a veterinary nursing team through a challenging situation (e.g staff shortage, conflict, high caseload)? What actions did you take, and what was the outcome?
* What systems or protocols have you implemented (or would you implement) to ensure consistently high standards of patient care and client service within a veterinary practice?
* Imagine you notice a recurring issue in the practice (e.g medication errors, inconsistent record keeping, gaps in training). How would you approach identifying the cause and implementing a solution?
Education:
* Certificate of Higher Education (required)
Experience:
* Veterinary: 3 years (required)
Language:
* English (required)
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
Expected start date: 01/09/2025