Head Registered Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

Walkden Vets for Pets is a busy, growing first-opinion small animal practice in Greater Manchester undergoing an exciting rebrand. This is a genuine leadership opportunity for a confident, proactive RVN who wants to make a visible impact on how the nursing team and practice develop. You'll work full-time over 4 days per week, with no current weekend commitment (though Saturday cover on a 1:4 rota with time off in lieu is planned for the future).

You will take ownership of the nursing team, bringing structure, consistency, and direction to day-to-day clinical operations. This is a role for someone who leads from the front, is proactive rather than reactive, and enjoys making things better through positive, hands-on leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, support, and develop the nursing team, including 1 newly qualified RVN and 1 part-time experienced RVN
• Build and expand nurse-led consults within the practice
• Develop Schedule 3 work and expand nursing involvement in case management
• Improve systems, standards, and clinical processes across the team
• Enhance inpatient care and nursing protocols
• Identify training needs and shape development plans for team members
• Help drive forward the long-term growth and clinical progression of the practice
• Contribute to the varied caseload including routine consultations, dentistry, soft tissue surgery, medical workups, imaging, and emergency cases

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) qualification
• Proven leadership experience or strong demonstrable potential in a team environment
• Approachable, organised, and calm under pressure
• Ability to provide clear, constructive leadership while building confidence and consistency
• Proactive mindset with genuine desire to improve systems and clinical standards

Benefits

• Salary up to £35,000 depending on experience
• Full-time position (40 hours per week over 4 days)
• No current weekend working; future Saturday cover on 1:4 rota with time off in lieu
• Real autonomy and scope to shape nursing team development and clinical progression
• Opportunity to expand nurse-led services and clinical involvement
• Access to modern facilities including digital X-ray, ultrasound, in-house laboratory, multiparameter monitoring, separate dog and cat wards, theatre, isolation ward, and dedicated nurse consult room
• Supportive, hardworking team with genuine appetite for learning and development
• Excellent on-site parking and location on retail park with local amenities

About the Practice

Walkden Vets for Pets is a first-opinion small animal practice based on Ellesmere Retail Park in Walkden, Greater Manchester, approximately 8 miles from Manchester city centre. The practice benefits from excellent transport links to Bolton, Salford, and Worsley, with free on-site parking and nearby green spaces including Blackleach Country Park.

The team includes 2 experienced Veterinary Surgeons (one completing a Medicine Certificate, one holding a Feline Medicine Certificate), a very experienced VCA, 2 excellent CCAs, and a Practice Manager with 10 years' tenure. The caseload is varied and engaging, spanning routine consultations, dentistry, neutering, soft tissue surgery, medical workups, imaging, senior pet care, and emergency consultations. The practice is developing diagnostic capabilities, with dental X-ray recently introduced and further ultrasound training planned. The team is genuinely committed to improving and delivering excellent patient and client care during this pivotal growth phase.