Head Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

This part-time Head Veterinary Nurse role is based at South Devon Vets in Torquay, with 34 hours per week and working hours between 08:00 and 18:30, Monday to Friday. There is also occasional cover required for the Saturday Emergency Service at the Veterinary Hospital in Abbotskerswell.

You will provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team, helping to oversee nursing standards, support patient and client care, and shape the way the practice works. The role sits within a wider group that provides first opinion, hospital and referral care across South Devon, with collaborative working across sites.

The Torquay practice is described as busy and friendly, supported by the wider South Devon Vets team and the hospital and referral facilities at Abbotskerswell. Across the sites, the practice has access to in-house laboratory equipment, CT, ultrasound, endoscopy, tonometry, digital X-ray and dental X-ray, alongside specialist ophthalmology and orthopaedic services and advanced procedures including laparoscopic surgery and outpatient CT imaging.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, support and develop the nursing team.
• Set and maintain nursing standards across the practice.
• Oversee nursing aspects of the practice and support high-quality patient and client care.
• Lead clinical governance and quality improvement activity.
• Work with the wider practice leadership team on culture, performance and ways of working.
• Support the day-to-day organisation and smooth running of the practice.

Requirements

• RCVS registration as a Veterinary Nurse.
• Significant experience in clinical practice.
• Advanced medical and surgical nursing skills.
• Proven experience of leading, mentoring and developing nursing teams.
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement and professional standards.
• Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills.

Benefits

• Up to £33,000 FTE salary.
• 6.6 weeks' annual leave.
• Additional birthday leave.
• Annual leave increases with 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.
• RCVS and VDS fees covered.
• Pension scheme.
• Discounted veterinary care.
• Voluntary benefits, including Green Cars salary sacrifice and retailer discounts and cashback.
• Structured leadership pathways through the Nurse Academy.
• Career development and progression into wider practice leadership roles.

About the Practice

South Devon Vets is a close-knit group of practices offering first opinion, hospital and referral care across South Devon. The team works collaboratively across its sites, sharing knowledge, experience and resources to support patients and clients.

The Torquay practice is a busy first opinion site, supported by the wider South Devon Vets team and the hospital and referral facilities at Abbotskerswell. The group also notes that its team has a broad range of experience and interests, with a commitment to developing people and improving clinical standards.