Deputy Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

This is a genuine hybrid leadership opportunity: you'll support the Head Nurse in managing the team while staying actively involved in clinical work alongside your colleagues. Based primarily in Southport with occasional support needed at the Rufford and Tarleton branches, you'll work a flexible rota across a 4 or 5-day week with shifts between 7am and 9pm. With a 1-in-5 weekend rota and no out-of-hours commitments after 7pm, you'll have genuine work-life balance while building your leadership credentials. The practice sees a varied caseload of small animals (dogs, cats, rabbits) plus avian and exotic species, with emergency cases adding clinical diversity. You'll be joining a team known for its friendly, supportive atmosphere and commitment to gold standard patient care.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head Nurse in day-to-day nursing team leadership
• Lead the nursing team when the Head Nurse is absent
• Actively participate in all clinical nursing duties and patient care
• Participate fully in the nursing rota alongside your leadership duties
• Coach and support the development of nursing team members
• Assist with rota planning and organisational duties
• Maintain health and safety standards and nursing protocols
• Support twice-yearly stocktakes
• Deliver exceptional patient care and client service consistently

Requirements

• Qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)
• Strong clinical nursing skills and experience
• Confidence in supporting and motivating a team
• Excellent communication and organisational abilities
• Passion for delivering high standards of patient care
• Ready to transition into a leadership role while maintaining hands-on clinical involvement

Benefits

• Work-Life Balance: 6.6 weeks annual leave with increases based on service, plus your birthday as a paid day off
• Wellbeing Support: Enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay), private medical insurance, cycle-to-work scheme, discounted gym membership, and non-accidental injury support
• Professional Development: £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid leave (pro rata), certificate support, access to the IVC Evidensia Academy, Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia, research funding opportunities, Infection Prevention and Control Programme, and Quality Improvement Programme
• Professional Memberships: VDS cover and RCVS fees paid
• Financial Benefits: Competitive salary up to £34,000 DOE, pension (5% employee / 3% employer contribution), Pawsome Benefits reward gateway (discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers), and discounted staff pet care
• Flexibility: Full-time or part-time considered; 40 hours for full-time role

About the Practice

Rufford Veterinary Group is an established first-opinion practice delivering high-quality small animal care supported by advanced diagnostics and procedures. Based in Southport with additional branches in Rufford and Tarleton, the practice is part of IVC Evidensia and Mars Veterinary Health, giving you access to wider resources and development opportunities while maintaining a local, community-focused team culture. The team is built on a philosophy that people are fundamental to success—investing in staff development, premises, and processes is central to how they operate. Known for a genuinely friendly and supportive atmosphere, the practice prioritises gold standard patient care and excellent client service.