Lead Surgical Nurse

About the Role

Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service in Solihull is seeking an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse to step into a leadership position as a Lead Surgical Nurse. This is a full-time role working 38 hours per week, reporting directly to the Head of Nursing Services.

You’ll be central to maintaining the high clinical standards that define this busy referral hospital. Your responsibilities will span day-to-day patient flow management, nursing team development, and continuous improvement of clinical pathways—all while working with genuine autonomy within a supportive leadership structure. This is a hands-on leadership role where your nursing expertise will directly shape how the team operates and how patients progress through their surgical journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the surgical nursing team on a day-to-day basis, ensuring excellent work protocols and high clinical standards
• Oversee patient flow from admission through discharge, identifying and implementing efficiencies in the patient pathway
• Ensure adherence to practice and group policies whilst maintaining outstanding patient and client care
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Nursing Services to identify training and development needs across the nursing team
• Take overall responsibility for your specific area of the practice, working enthusiastically with the wider leadership team
• Manage the nursing team to ensure effective and consistent service delivery across the business

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) qualification
• Minimum 2 years post-registration experience
• Demonstrable leadership experience
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Ability to work with autonomy in a busy hospital environment
• Commitment to high clinical standards and continuous improvement

Benefits

• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• RCVS and VDS professional fees paid
• External CPD funding and extensive free online Linnaeus CPD programme
• Career progression opportunities within Linnaeus
• Staff discount schemes
• Life assurance and enhanced sickness pay
• Enhanced equal family leave
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme and cycle to work scheme
• Comprehensive wellness programme including employee assistance programme, eyecare vouchers, free annual flu jab
• Recruitment referral reward scheme
• Mental Health First Aider support and confidential Employee Assistance Programme available to all staff

About the Practice

Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service is a specialist referral hospital based in Solihull, part of the Linnaeus group (Mars Veterinary Health). The practice is known for its commitment to clinical excellence, advanced facilities, and a supportive team culture that invests in staff development and wellbeing.

Linnaeus is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all associates can thrive professionally and personally.