About the Role
This is a department lead position for a Registered Veterinary Nurse who thrives in client-facing work and wants to champion nurse-led clinics. Working across four days (40 hours per week), you'll deliver consultations, develop advanced nursing services, and help build a dedicated feline hospital stream within a multidisciplinary small animal practice. The rota includes some weekends and out-of-hours shifts on a 1:6 Saturday basis and 1:12 on-call weekends.
Pennard Vets operates multiple practices across Kent, with a flagship hospital in Sevenoaks that houses their own emergency and out-of-hours service. The practice is employee-owned, giving team members real investment in the business, and is equipped to the highest standards with advanced diagnostics including MRI, CT imaging, mechanical ventilation, and specialist support.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the nursing consulting department, setting standards and driving clinical excellence across nurse-led services
- Design, develop, and implement advanced nurse-led clinics that elevate clinical standards and client engagement
- Contribute to the development of a dedicated feline hospital within the existing site, shaping a gold-standard cat care environment
- Deliver nurse-led consultations including preventative healthcare, senior wellness, medical management plans, and post-surgical care
- Support consulting veterinary surgeons during appointments, ensuring efficient workflow and excellent client experience
- Support clients with empathy and professionalism, including during sensitive situations
- Uphold excellent infection control standards
- Take ownership of the in-house laboratory, ensuring accurate diagnostics, quality control, and efficient workflows
Requirements
- RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse
- Genuine passion for client-facing work and building trusted relationships
- Particular interest in feline nursing and cat-friendly care
- Confidence running nurse-led consultations independently with strong clinical reasoning
- Leadership experience or readiness to step into a department lead role
- Experience with in-house laboratory diagnostics and quality assurance
- Enthusiasm for developing and growing nurse-led clinic services
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Calm, professional approach and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
- Passion for animal welfare and continuous professional development
Benefits
- Four-day working week: 40 hours across four days for genuine work-life balance
- Fair weekend rota: 1 in 6 Saturday mornings, 1 in 12 on-call weekends (supplemented)
- Real commitment to professional development and career progression
- Supportive, collaborative, friendly team environment
- Rare opportunity to help shape and build a dedicated feline hospital from the ground up
- Forward-thinking practice that values innovation
- Outstanding facilities: Modern clinical environment with advanced diagnostics including MRI and CT imaging, mechanical ventilation, and access to specialist team
- Employee-owned business with genuine stake in the company
About the Practice
Pennard Vets is the world's largest employee-owned vet group, with a network of seven practices across Kent (Allington, Borough Green, Langley Park, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, and West Malling). The flagship Sevenoaks hospital houses their own emergency and out-of-hours service and is equipped to the highest clinical standards with advanced diagnostics, specialist teams, and mechanical ventilation. Every team member holds a stake in the business and is committed to delivering progressive, beyond-the-ordinary care.
