Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

This is a full-time, 15-month fixed-term maternity cover position leading the nursing team at Maes Glas Vets’ main Bridgend Hospital. You’ll work alongside another head nurse and two deputy nurses, bringing your leadership skills and clinical expertise to a practice that prioritises teamwork and high standards without commercial targets.

Based at a purpose-built hospital in Bridgend, you’ll be heavily involved in a diverse range of medical and surgical cases across small animal practice. You’ll get your hands on clinical work while overseeing team performance, development, and day-to-day nursing operations—balancing hands-on practice with strategic team leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and support the nursing team, fostering a collaborative learning environment
• Oversee all daily nursing tasks and clinical standards, maintaining compliance with RCVS and PSS requirements
• Actively participate in nursing duties to maintain your own skills and develop clinical interests
• Conduct performance monitoring, progress development reviews, probation reviews and one-to-ones with team members
• Oversee nurse training and support student nurse development
• Manage rota scheduling and conflict resolution
• Ensure excellent patient care standards and client communication
• Support stock control, equipment maintenance and clinical audits
• Act as key point of contact within the clinical team alongside other nurse management team members
• Maintain practice policies and standards in line with PSS guidance

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) with proven leadership experience
• Experienced, confident and proactive with strong teamwork values
• Commitment to high clinical and welfare standards
• Ability to mentor and develop team members
• Experience with performance management and staff development
• Strong communication skills and collaborative approach

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• 6 weeks paid holiday including bank holidays
• £600 CPD allowance per annum plus 3 days fully paid professional development (pro rota)
• RCVS membership paid, plus one additional membership subscription
• Health Shield—comprehensive health and wellbeing contributions including dentistry, sports massage, counselling and GP anytime access
• VDS cover
• Colleague discount scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Company sick pay
• One paid volunteer day per year
• Buy and sell holiday scheme
• Life insurance
• Supportive, friendly team environment with no commercial targets

About the Practice

Maes Glas Vets is a small animal practice with a main hospital branch in Bridgend and four additional branches across South Wales. The practice holds Gold-level Cat Friendly status from ISFM and RCVS hospital status at the Bridgend location. The team includes several certificate holders and operates as a nursing training practice committed to excellent clinical care and high standards.

Part of the VetPartners family (winners of Employer of the Year at the Press BusinessIQ Awards), Maes Glas prides itself on being inclusive, friendly and supportive—a team culture where wellbeing, clinical excellence and professional growth are genuinely valued, with no imposed commercial targets on staff.