Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

This is a rare leadership opportunity for an experienced RVN to join Ashleigh Vets’ dynamic small animal and exotic team across two Manchester locations. You’ll split your time between strategic nursing management and hands-on patient care—supporting the head nurse with staff development, rotas, and appraisals whilst staying clinically active on the ward. The practice operates a genuinely supportive 4-day week (averaged over 5 weeks) with 1:5 Saturday and Sunday mornings, plus a dedicated out-of-hours team so you won’t be covering nights. This is a chance to lead by example in a practice renowned for exceptional exotic referral work—the largest in the Northwest—whilst building a career in a friendly, established environment.

Based across Chorlton (small animal, avian and exotic referrals) and Sale (cat-only clinic), you’ll work within an 11-strong vet team including exotic diploma and certificate holders, alongside 9 RVNs, many with exotic nursing credentials. The practice has been caring for south Manchester’s pets for 50 years and holds RCVS silver accreditation and rabbit welfare silver accreditation.

Key Responsibilities

• Work alongside the management team to ensure smooth practice operations and support the head nurse in all administrative duties
• Lead, mentor, and develop nursing staff and auxiliary team members; conduct appraisals, manage holiday requests, and oversee return-to-work interviews
• Create and manage daily rotas and delegate fairly across the team
• Act as a role model, leading by example with a positive attitude, high work standards, and strong work ethic
• Liaise between nursing, veterinary, and management teams
• Deliver inpatient care including admissions, discharges, anaesthetics, nurse clinics, pharmacy duties, ward nursing, recoveries, and records management
• Provide excellent client care across small animal, exotic, and avian patients
• Support training opportunities and encourage team development in exotic nursing and advanced qualifications

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) qualification
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a large supportive team
• Friendly, organised, adaptable, and dependable nature with thriving in fast-paced environments
• Strong attention to detail and ability to delegate fairly
• Desire to motivate, develop, and mentor team members through positive leadership
• Leadership experience desirable but not essential
• Commitment to delivering the highest standards of patient care
• Enthusiasm for exotic animal nursing (training and funding provided if pursuing the exotic nursing certificate)

Benefits

• Work-Life Balance: 6.6 weeks annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays); 4-day working week (40 hours averaged over 5 weeks); 1 in 5 Saturday and Sunday mornings only; long 4-day weekends (Friday to Monday) 1 in 5 weekends; overtime claimable as pay or TOIL; 2 bank holidays per year (mornings only)
• Wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance; 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme; enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay)
• Professional Development: £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid CPD leave (pro rata); certificate support; access to IVC Evidensia Academy learning and development; Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia; research funding available for vets and nurses; Infection Prevention and Control Programme; Quality Improvement Programme
• Professional Memberships: VDS cover included
• Pension & Colleague Benefits: Company pension scheme with employer contribution; Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme (subject to eligibility); voluntary benefits with flexible choices; discounts/cashback with hundreds of retailers; discounted treatment for your own pets at IVC Evidensia practices

About the Practice

Ashleigh Veterinary Centre has been a cornerstone of south Manchester veterinary care since 1963, built on a foundation of honest advice, high clinical standards, and genuine team cohesion. Now owned by Aidan Raftery, Bernard Wynne, and Matt Saunby, the practice has expanded significantly whilst maintaining its local reputation and values. With 11 veterinary surgeons (including exotic diploma and certificate holders), 9 RVNs, and auxiliary staff, the practice operates two sites: the main Chorlton branch (small animal, avian, and exotic referrals) and the Sale cat-only clinic.

The practice is well-equipped to handle diverse caseloads from routine small animal work to specialist exotic medicine and surgery. It holds RCVS silver accreditation and rabbit welfare silver accreditation, operates 24-hour staffing with a dedicated out-of-hours team, and has a proven track record as an approved RCVS nurse training centre. Ashleigh Vets is part of IVC Evidensia, a leading veterinary group, and benefits from access to wider learning and development resources whilst maintaining its independent character and commitment to quality care over targets.