Deputy Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

You’ll take on a pivotal leadership position within a thriving small animal practice, working closely with the Head Nurse to guide and develop the nursing team. This is your opportunity to grow your clinical expertise while building confidence in others—all within a collaborative, forward-thinking environment that genuinely invests in professional development.

Based primarily at the Southport site with occasional support shifts to the sister branches in Rufford and Tarleton, you’ll deliver high-standard care across theatre, inpatient and consulting settings. The role offers a manageable 4 or 5-day week with shifts between 7:00am and 9:00pm, a 1 in 5 weekend rota, and no out-of-hours commitments after 7:00pm—allowing you to balance career progression with a real life outside the practice.

Rufford Veterinary Group cares for dogs, cats, rabbits, avian and exotic species, alongside a busy and engaging emergency caseload. You’ll be joining a friendly team with a genuine commitment to gold-standard patient care and excellent client service.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head Nurse in day-to-day leadership and organisation of the nursing team
• Step into a leadership role during the Head Nurse’s absence
• Deliver high-quality clinical nursing care across theatre, inpatient and consulting settings
• Support and mentor team members, including involvement in clinical coaching
• Assist with rota planning, stock control and key organisational tasks
• Help maintain clinical standards, protocols and health and safety compliance across the practice
• Act as a source of guidance and support for the wider nursing team

Requirements

• Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS
• Significant experience in clinical practice with strong medical and surgical nursing skills
• Experience and aptitude for supporting, mentoring or informally coaching colleagues
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• A proactive approach to quality improvement, learning and professional development
• Confidence and knowledge to take on a deputy leadership role

Benefits

• 6.6 weeks’ annual leave plus your birthday off, with increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
• £550 CPD allowance plus 24 hours paid leave for professional development
• RCVS and VDS fees covered by the practice
• Enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Private Medical Insurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
• Pension scheme
• Certificate support for professional qualifications
• Discounted veterinary care
• Voluntary benefits including Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of retailers
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities into specialist nursing or further leadership roles

About the Practice

Rufford Veterinary Group is an established small animal practice providing high-quality first opinion care supported by advanced diagnostics and procedures. The practice operates across three locations—Southport, Rufford and Tarleton—creating a network of collaborative teams all committed to delivering excellent patient outcomes and client service.

The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals. IVC Evidensia is committed to supporting careers without limits, investing in learning, innovation and wellbeing so that teams can grow in confidence, capability and fulfilment at every stage of their professional journey.