Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

Wood Street Vet Hospital is a busy, 24-hour RCVS-accredited Tier 3 facility delivering exceptional patient care across a varied and interesting caseload. As Deputy Head Veterinary Nurse, you'll provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team while maintaining hands-on involvement in patient care. This is a genuine hybrid leadership role: you'll mentor RVNs, SVNs and VCAs, oversee nursing standards, and continue working clinically across wards, theatre, anaesthesia, diagnostics and emergency care.

The role offers a rare combination of responsibility and work-life balance. You'll work 40 hours per week across 8-hour shifts between 7am and 9pm, with a 1:4 Saturday rota (and TOIL in lieu). Best of all: no Sundays, bank holidays, or overnight on-call commitments. This position suits an experienced RVN ready to step into leadership, or a senior nurse seeking a new challenge within a supportive, values-led environment.

You'll be part of a collaborative team of 14 vets, 10 RVNs, 4 SVNs and 4 VCAs. The hospital's recently refurbished facilities include modern operating theatres, laparoscopy and endoscopy, digital and dental X-ray, in-house laboratory, dedicated isolation facilities, and separate cat and dog wards. The practice holds both ISFM Cat Friendly and Rabbit Friendly accreditation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team, overseeing all nursing aspects of the practice
• Support and mentor RVNs, SVNs and VCAs through day-to-day guidance and professional development
• Maintain and develop high standards of patient and client care
• Assist with team organisation, workflow and appropriate staffing across clinical areas
• Support training, development and clinical coaching for nursing staff
• Implement and maintain hospital protocols and procedures
• Promote effective communication and teamwork across the wider practice
• Work clinically across the hospital including wards, theatre, anaesthesia, diagnostics and emergency care
• Support the Head Nurse with wider management responsibilities and provide leadership in their absence
• Lead by example and foster a positive, supportive working environment

Requirements

• Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS
• Significant experience in clinical practice with advanced medical and surgical nursing skills
• Proven experience of leading, mentoring and developing nursing teams, or demonstrable readiness to take the next steps in your career
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement and professional standards
• Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills

Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £40,000 per annum depending on experience
• 6.6 weeks' annual leave, plus additional leave for your birthday
• Increasing annual leave through length of service
• £550 CPD allowance plus 24 hours paid learning time per year
• RCVS and VDS fees covered by the practice
• Private Medical Insurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
• Enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Pension scheme
• Discounted veterinary care
• Voluntary benefits including Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to discounts with hundreds of retailers
• Structured leadership pathways through the dedicated Nurse Academy
• Clear career progression into wider practice leadership roles
• Collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community and continuous improvement
• 40-hour week with no overnight OOH or Sunday working

About the Practice

Wood Street Vet Hospital is part of IVC Evidensia (trading as Inspiring Vet Care), the UK's leading veterinary care provider. The practice is a busy 24-hour RCVS-accredited Tier 3 hospital with recently refurbished facilities including modern operating theatres, advanced diagnostics (laparoscopy, endoscopy, digital and dental X-ray), in-house laboratory, dedicated isolation facilities and separate cat and dog wards. The hospital holds ISFM Cat Friendly and Rabbit Friendly accreditation and delivers care ranging from emergency and critical care through to orthopaedic and advanced surgical procedures.

Inspiring Vet Care is committed to supporting employee development and wellbeing through structured learning pathways, health initiatives, flexible working options and a culture centred on care and community. The organisation is a Disability Confident Employer and actively promotes diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging across all its teams.