Head Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

This is a senior nursing leadership position at a welcoming small animal practice in Invergordon, where you’ll take the helm of the nursing operation. You’ll work 40 hours across 4–5 days per week with no out-of-hours or on-call duties—giving you genuine breathing room alongside meaningful responsibility. Currently, weekend work is not required, though there’s potential for this to be introduced in future (something the practice is upfront about).

Each day brings different challenges, but they’re the rewarding kind. You’ll set nursing standards, drive quality improvements, mentor your team to confidence and capability, and work closely with the wider practice leadership to shape how this small, friendly team operates. This is clinical leadership with heart—not corporate theatre.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the nursing team, providing guidance, support, and professional development
• Oversee all nursing aspects of patient care—from surgery assistance to inpatient management—ensuring best practice across the board
• Set and maintain nursing standards, leading clinical governance and quality improvement initiatives
• Manage clinical and operational procedures, including stock control and clinical protocols
• Collaborate with the Practice Manager and vets to improve operational efficiency and patient outcomes
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional excellence within the nursing team

Requirements

• Registered as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS
• Significant clinical experience with strong medical and surgical nursing skills
• Proven track record leading, mentoring, and developing nursing teams
• Solid understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement, and professional standards
• Excellent communication and organisational skills with natural leadership presence

Benefits

• Leave: 6.8 weeks’ annual leave plus your birthday off, with increasing entitlement based on length of service
• Learning & Development: £550 CPD allowance plus 24 hours paid leave, certificate support, RCVS and VDS fees covered
• Health & Wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance, Healthcare Cash Plan, Cycle to Work scheme
• Family-Friendly: Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Pension: Pension scheme
• Perks: Discounted veterinary care, voluntary benefits including Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to hundreds of discounts and cashback retailers

About the Practice

Easter Ross Vets is a dedicated small animal practice located on the High Street in Invergordon, serving the Highland community with modern facilities and compassionate care. From routine check-ups to emergency treatments, the team pride themselves on quick diagnosis and quality outcomes across a range of health conditions. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals united by a shared purpose of happier animals and happier owners.

IVC Evidensia is built on the belief that careers should grow without limits. The group invests in learning, innovation, and wellbeing to create environments where teams develop in confidence, capability, and fulfilment at every career stage. You’ll have access to clear progression pathways and wider practice leadership opportunities, all within a collaborative, values-led culture centred on care, community, and continuous improvement.