Head Veterinary Nurse – ECC

About the Role

Vets Now Stirling is launching a new out-of-hours veterinary clinic operating from Bruceview Veterinary Clinic in Bannockburn, and they’re seeking an experienced Head Veterinary Nurse to lead the nursing team from day one. This is a genuine leadership opportunity: you’ll mentor and inspire colleagues, guide the team through diverse emergency cases, and set the clinical and cultural tone for a brand-new service. The role is designed with balance in mind—you’ll work approximately 40 hours per week across weekday nights, weekend days and nights, and a share of bank holidays, plus dedicated protected time for management duties and team meetings.

You’ll be part of a highly experienced team of veterinary surgeons, nurses, receptionists, animal care assistants, and call handlers, all dedicated to delivering outstanding emergency and critical care to the local Stirling community. This is a permanent, full-time position offering genuine career development in a supportive environment that invests in its people.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the nursing team at Vets Now Stirling, providing guidance and support through emergency and critical care cases
• Deliver direct patient care and nursing support across ECC presentations (trauma, medical emergencies, surgical cases)
• Maintain high standards of patient care and exceptional client communication during out-of-hours emergencies
• Carry out management duties including team scheduling, training coordination, and clinical governance
• Support the clinical team with case management, nursing procedures, and critical care monitoring
• Attend team meetings and contribute to the development of new clinic protocols and practices

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) with proven experience in emergency and critical care nursing
• Demonstrated leadership or mentoring experience (or strong potential to develop in a leadership role)
• Ability to work flexibly across nights, weekends, and bank holidays as part of the rota
• Strong communication skills with both clinical team members and pet owners during emergencies
• Commitment to continuous professional development and advancing ECC knowledge
• Experience level not explicitly stated—candidates at all levels with leadership potential are encouraged to apply

Benefits

• Salary: Up to £44,000 depending on experience
• Annual Leave: 7 weeks pro rata
• Professional Development: £1,400 CPD allowance (increasing annually) plus 20 paid study hours pro rata
• ECC Support: Financial support and paid study leave for ECC certificate training
• Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance, enhanced sick pay
• Family-Friendly Policies: Paternity and adoption pay schemes
• Continuous Mentorship: Advanced training tailored to your career aspirations from experienced veterinary surgeons
• Flexibility: Employer is open to flexible working arrangements to suit individual circumstances

About the Practice

Vets Now Stirling is a brand-new out-of-hours emergency and critical care clinic launching in Bannockburn, operating from Bruceview Veterinary Clinic—an RCVS-accredited animal hospital. The clinic is part of Vets Now, a leading provider of out-of-hours veterinary services across the UK, delivering emergency and critical care to pet owners when regular veterinary practices are closed. The team is composed of experienced veterinary surgeons, nurses, and support staff all committed to providing excellent emergency care.

Vets Now is a Disability Confident Employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those from diverse and minority groups. The company is committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.