Lead Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)

About the Role

This is your chance to take on a meaningful leadership position at Harbour Veterinary Group, a well-established first opinion practice in Waterlooville, Hampshire. You’ll move beyond clinical nursing into a strategic role that combines hands-on patient care with team leadership and operational support—the perfect next step if you’re ready to develop your management skills without leaving the practice floor entirely.

Working 40 hours per week (full-time, with flexible working options available), you’ll support the daily operations whilst leading a dedicated team of RVNs, SVNs, and PCAs. Your focus will be on fostering a positive, collaborative culture across the practice and inspiring your team to reach their career goals. The practice cares for a diverse range of small animals including dogs, cats, birds, and small mammals, so you’ll be leading a team that handles varied and interesting cases every day.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of registered veterinary nurses, student nurses, and practice care assistants
• Support daily practice operations and ensure smooth nursing protocols across all departments
• Foster a positive and collaborative team culture, encouraging professional development and career progression
• Maintain high standards of patient care and nursing excellence in a first opinion setting
• Work alongside experienced veterinarians and support staff to deliver compassionate care to small animal patients
• Assist with scheduling, team planning, and operational efficiency

Requirements

• Current RCVS registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
• Proven experience working as an RVN in a small animal practice
• Demonstrable leadership or mentoring experience (or clear potential to develop leadership skills)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and inspire a team
• Commitment to high standards of patient care and nursing practice
• Based in or willing to relocate to the Waterlooville, Hampshire area

Benefits

• Salary up to £34,000 FTE (depending on experience)
• RCVS professional fees paid in full
• Generous CPD allowance, access to Knowledge Hub, BSAVA library, and fully funded advanced training opportunities
• Excellent nursing career pathway with clear progression routes
• Up to 33 days annual holiday with the option to buy or sell additional days
• Health cash plan and Employee Assistance Programme
• Wellbeing Champions network and enhanced family leave policies
• Staff pet care discounts—50% off services, MiPet food, and medications
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance
• Monthly line manager check-ins and access to pastoral support and mentorship

About the Practice

Harbour Veterinary Group is a trusted first opinion veterinary practice located in the heart of Waterlooville, Hampshire. The practice is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to pets and their owners, with a team of experienced veterinarians, nurses, and support staff working together to deliver excellent outcomes. As part of CVS Group, Harbour benefits from significant investment in facilities and access to centralised support services including HR, recruitment, payroll, IT, and finance teams—allowing the practice to focus on what it does best: delivering outstanding patient care.

CVS Group is one of the UK’s leading veterinary groups, with a strong commitment to staff wellbeing, professional development, and creating an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued. The group operates a network of practices across the UK with dedicated support infrastructure to enable staff to thrive in their roles.