Deputy Head Nurse – Small Animal

About the Role

This is a hands-on clinical leadership position combining direct nursing care with mentoring responsibility. You’ll support the Head Nurse and Practice Manager across the main surgery and branch location, taking an active role in rota planning, stock management, and service development. It’s a full-time permanent role in a busy first-opinion small animal practice where you’ll work alongside a supportive team of vets, fellow RVNs, and student nurses.

Based in Woking—a vibrant town with excellent transport links (30 minutes to London Waterloo, close to the M3, M25, and both major airports), you’ll have easy access to Surrey’s outstanding natural spaces including the Surrey Hills, RHS Garden Wisley, and coastal walks within an hour. The practice opened purpose-built premises in 2018 and maintains a genuinely balanced client base combining private work with RSPCA and charity cases.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support the nursing team, maintaining high clinical standards across both practice locations
• Assist the Head Nurse and Practice Manager in day-to-day operations and strategic planning
• Coordinate rota planning and ensure fair scheduling across the team
• Manage stock control and service development initiatives
• Mentor student veterinary nurses and support professional development
• Deliver quality clinical nursing care in a modern, well-equipped environment

Requirements

• RCVS registered Veterinary Nurse (essential)
• Confident, experienced practitioner in busy first-opinion small animal settings
• Strong mentoring and people management skills
• Organised and proactive with excellent teamwork abilities

Benefits

• Salary & Pension: Up to £37,000 per annum (depending on experience); company pension scheme with employer contribution
• Time Off: 6.6 weeks annual leave (including bank holidays) with increasing allowance by length of service; your birthday as a paid day off
• Professional Development: £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid CPD leave pro rata; certificate support; access to IVC Evidensia Academy learning platforms; Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia; research funding opportunities available
• Health & Wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance; 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme; enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay; dedicated wellbeing initiatives
• Professional Support: VDS cover; RCVS fees covered; Infection Prevention and Control Programme; Quality Improvement Programme
• Commute & Lifestyle: Cycle to Work scheme; Green Cars Scheme (subject to eligibility); voluntary benefits flexible to your needs; discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers; discounted pet treatment at IVC Evidensia practices

About the Practice

Kingswood Vets is an established local practice in Woking that relocated to modern purpose-built premises in 2018. The practice operates two locations with comprehensive facilities: four consultation rooms, two surgical theatres, dedicated dental suite with digital radiography, imaging facilities, and separate dog and cat recovery wards. Equipment includes multiparameter monitors, hot air warming devices, syringe drivers, and specialist dental kit—all designed to support high-quality nursing care.

The team comprises experienced veterinary surgeons, three RVNs, two student veterinary nurses, and a strong support staff led by an approachable Clinical Director. The practice balances premium care for well-insured clients with meaningful RSPCA and charitable work. Hours are weekdays 9:00am–6:30pm, Saturdays 9:00am–12:30pm, with weekday surgical availability; acupuncture is offered three days per week. The surgery operates a 24-hour emergency service. Kingswood Vets is part of IVC Evidensia.