Job Description

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