Head Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

Join Wellpet Vets as Head Veterinary Nurse and take the next step in your nursing career with genuine leadership responsibility. You'll oversee all nursing aspects of this established small animal practice, working from the main Shenley site with occasional weekend shifts at the Edgware consult-only branch. This role operates on a 38-hour working week spread across 4 or 5 days, with shifts between 8:30 am and 8 pm, plus a manageable 1:4 weekend rota covering Saturday mornings at Shenley and Sundays at Edgware. Wednesday availability is required.

The practice is well-equipped with ultrasound, digital x-ray, and IDEXX in-house laboratory machines. You'll be joining a close-knit team of three receptionists, three vets, one RVN, and three SVNs, where work is shared evenly and appointments are tailored to individual interests where possible. The culture here genuinely values both professional excellence and regular social events outside work.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team, overseeing all nursing aspects of the practice
• Set and maintain nursing standards across clinical governance and quality improvement activity
• Lead development of a capable, confident nursing team through mentoring and professional development
• Support delivery of high-quality patient and client care
• Conduct nurse consults and assist vets in theatre and surgical operations
• Contribute to shaping practice culture, performance and ways of working alongside the wider leadership team
• Share expertise and clinical skillset with the broader nursing team

Requirements

• RCVS registration as a Veterinary Nurse (essential)
• Significant experience in clinical practice with advanced medical and surgical nursing skills
• Proven experience leading, mentoring and developing nursing teams
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement and professional standards
• Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills
• Passionate about clinical excellence and team development
• Open to both nurses already in senior roles or experienced RVNs ready to step up

Benefits

• 6.6 weeks annual leave plus your birthday off, with increasing allowance based on length of service
• Enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Private Medical Insurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
• £550 CPD allowance plus 24 hours paid leave for professional development
• RCVS and VDS fees covered by the practice
• Pension scheme
• Discounted veterinary care
• Certificate support for ongoing qualifications
• Voluntary benefits including Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and cashback/discount access with hundreds of retailers
• Clear career pathways with progression into wider practice leadership roles

About the Practice

Wellpet Veterinary Practice is an established small animal clinic with over 60 years of history in Shenley, Hertfordshire. The practice is part of inspiring vet care, the UK's number one vet care provider, trusted with the care of over 2 million animals. The team includes experienced staff with more than 25 years of expertise in small animal care, delivering personalised medicine where clients usually see the same vet each time.

The practice operates a main site in Shenley and a consult-only branch in Edgware. It is well-resourced with modern equipment including ultrasound, digital x-ray, and IDEXX in-house laboratory machines. The culture emphasises collaborative practice, professional development and continuous improvement within a values-led organisation focused on care and community.