Head Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

This Head Veterinary Nurse position is based in Sheffield and offers a blend of clinical work and leadership. You will lead a large team of vet nurses and clinical support staff, while also spending time on clinical shifts to maintain high standards of patient care.

The rota is full time at 40 hours per week. It includes weeknights, 1:2 weekends and bank holidays, with dedicated time set aside for management duties and meetings. Shifts include Monday to Sunday night shifts from 18:00 to 09:00, Saturday day shifts from 12:00 to 18:30, and Sunday day shifts from 08:30 to 18:30.

The role suits someone who is motivated by coaching, team development and the day-to-day running of a busy emergency clinic.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a large team of veterinary nurses and clinical support staff.
• Maintain day-to-day operational and financial management of the clinic.
• Manage rota gaps and staffing cover.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with host practices through regular communication.
• Oversee quality control of clinical equipment.
• Support team welfare, appraisals, performance management and return-to-work tasks.
• Work clinical shifts while maintaining a high standard of patient care.

Requirements

• At least two years' experience working in an out of hours and critical care environment.
• Proven experience of managing others, preferably within a veterinary setting.
• Demonstrable experience of managing performance.
• A strong motivation to maintain high clinic standards.
• A genuine interest in caring for clients and their pets.

Benefits

• Salary up to £45,000 DOE.
• Private medical insurance.
• Enhanced sick pay and enhanced maternity pay.
• 7 weeks annual leave pro rata.
• Your birthday as a paid day off.
• £1125 CPD allowance plus 20 paid hours.
• RCVS fees paid.
• ECC certificate support and access to professional qualifications.
• Reward Gateway discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers.
• UK Standard Pension contributions at 5% employee and 3% employer.
• Up to 50% discounted staff pet care.
• Death in service cover at two times annual salary.
• Paid volunteering.

About the Practice

Vets Now is the UK’s leading provider of emergency pet care, serving more than 1700 veterinary practices through 60 plus dedicated out of hours clinics and two 24/7 pet emergency hospitals. The Sheffield clinic has been caring for local pets out of hours for over 20 years.

The clinic is accredited by the RCVS as a Small Animal Emergency Service Clinic and is based within the PDSA Pet Hospital, 14 Newhall Road, Sheffield, S9 2QL.