Head Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

Join Pet Doctors, a thriving small animal hospital practice in Rustington, West Sussex, as Head Veterinary Nurse. You'll lead a dedicated nursing team in a friendly, collaborative environment where outstanding patient care is the priority. Based in a beautiful part of West Sussex between Chichester and Brighton, the practice is easily accessible from Worthing, Crawley, and Horsham. This full-time role includes a manageable 1:4 Saturday rota, with shifts either 8:30am-4:30pm or 11am-7pm. Some travel to the Felpham branch (8 miles away) is required.

At Pet Doctors, you'll work with fantastic facilities and a passionate team of vets, nurses, patient care assistants, and receptionists. Your role combines direct clinical nursing with team leadership, ensuring the practice maintains the highest standards of care while fostering a positive, supportive culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the nursing team, promoting excellence in patient care and team development
• Provide exceptional nursing care across all clinical areas, with a strong background in hospital nursing
• Support clinical outcomes in all aspects of clinical work as part of the wider team
• Maintain quality standards and ensure the practice operates at its best, delivering excellent outcomes for every patient
• Foster a friendly, welcoming, and supportive team culture that prioritises colleague wellbeing
• Communicate confidently with colleagues, clients, and patients to build strong, lasting relationships
• Take advantage of ongoing training and development opportunities to continuously grow your skills

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) qualification
• Proven track record in hospital nursing experience
• Demonstrated ability to deliver exceptional animal care consistently
• Leadership skills and experience managing a nursing team (or strong readiness to step into this role)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Passion for animal welfare and delivering exceptional care to patients and clients

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £37,000 depending on experience
• RCVS fees paid in full
• Generous CPD allowance, Knowledge Hub access, BSAVA library, and funded advanced training opportunities
• Excellent nursing career pathway
• Up to 33 days holiday per year, with the option to buy or sell additional days
• Health cash plan and enhanced family leave policies
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support including monthly line-manager check-ins
• Staff pet care discounts: 50% off services, MiPet food, and medications
• Access to a network of 400 Wellbeing Champions, Pastoral Support Vets, and personal mentors

About the Practice

Pet Doctors is a hospital practice with fantastic facilities and a passionate team dedicated to delivering outstanding care. Part of CVS Group Plc, the practice benefits from industry-leading learning, hands-on training, and expert guidance. The team prides itself on creating a friendly and collaborative environment where everyone is supported in providing the very best care to animals.

CVS is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where diverse perspectives are valued. Central support from expert HR, recruitment, payroll, IT, finance, and procurement teams ensures smooth practice operations. CVS also prioritises investment in facilities through a dedicated multi-million-pound improvement fund.