Head Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN)

About the Role

White Lodge Veterinary Surgery sits in an area of outstanding natural beauty—Woodbury Common, the Exe Estuary, and 1.5 miles of sandy beach are practically on your doorstep. This is your opportunity to join as Head Nurse and work closely with the Head Vet to provide clinical leadership while driving a culture of continuous quality improvement and excellence.

You’ll manage a progressive yet tight-knit team of 5 RVNs, one student veterinary nurse, and two patient care assistants. The practice is an RCVS training practice and a Bristol Vet School training partner, so you’ll also support final-year student placements. This is a full-time role working 35–40 hours per week with 1 in 5 Saturday mornings. There are no out-of-hours duties, giving you genuine work-life balance.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day running of clinical areas and nursing team operations
• Delegate and oversee areas of responsibility within the nursing team
• Induct new nursing staff members and provide regular one-to-one check-ins and mentoring
• Organise and lead nursing team meetings
• Manage monthly rotas and controlled drugs audits
• Handle administrative duties associated with the Head Nurse role
• Support student veterinary nurses during their clinical placements
• Promote professional development across your nursing team

Requirements

• Current RCVS registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse
• Proven leadership experience with the confidence and capability to manage a nursing team
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to foster a culture of continuous professional development
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

Benefits

• Salary: Up to £37,000 per annum depending on experience (FTE)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with a buy/sell scheme allowing you to purchase up to two additional weeks
• An extra day of annual leave each year during your first five years
• Generous, fully funded CPD with abundant internal and external training opportunities
• Cycle to work scheme and subsidised gym membership
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Automatic enrolment pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme for mental health and wellbeing support
• Access to First Aid for Mental Health training and a network of 400+ CVS Wellbeing Champions
• Colleague discounts on pet products and treatments, including free consultations and cost-price drugs via Animed online pharmacy
• Company share-save scheme

About the Practice

White Lodge Veterinary Surgery is a first opinion small animal practice based in Exmouth, Devon, part of the CVS Group. The practice prides itself on being embedded in the local community with a friendly, vibrant team. As an RCVS training practice and Bristol Vet School training partner, the team is committed to supporting both colleague development and student education.

CVS is committed to creating an inclusive, equitable workplace where colleagues feel welcome and valued. Central support teams in HR, recruitment, payroll, IT, finance, and procurement help ensure smooth practice operations, while a dedicated investment fund supports facility improvements across the group.