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- Tasks: Lead a passionate team in providing top-notch care for small animals.
- Company: Join IVC Evidensia, a leading veterinary service with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 6.6 weeks annual leave, private medical insurance, and a £550 CPD allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in veterinary nursing and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and great transport links to London and the coast.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Deputy Head Nurse to join our friendly team. The role is full-time, working 40 hours per week. We are flexible on hours and can offer either four long days or five shorter days, with a 1:5 Saturday rota (8:00am–2:00pm), which will be compensated as TOIL.
Our exceptional practice Kingswood Vets is a well-established local practice in Woking, we moved to a new purpose-built hospital premises in 2018. We have 4 consult rooms, 2 theatres, dental and imaging rooms, separate dog and cat wards. We have high-end equipment to assist your nursing; including multiparameter monitors, separate dental suite with digital dental radiography, hot air warming devices, syringe drivers and multiparameter monitors. We have a really good mix of well-insured clients wanting gold standards plus RSPCA and other charity work.
As work-life balance is important to us, Woking is full of things to do. We are surrounded by many leisure activities including golf courses, National Trust sites, RHS Garden Wisley, unspoiled scenic walks including the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, theatres, galleries, and much more. We have great transport links, you can be in London Waterloo in 30 minutes, the M3 and M25 are close by and both Heathrow and Gatwick are not far away. You can also be at the beach within an hour.
About The Team And Culture
We are a supportive team of Veterinary Surgeons, 5 RVNs, 4 Student Veterinary Nurses with an amazing support team as well as our supportive and encouraging CD. We have a surgery certificate holder, a dental vet, an imager, and a vet partway through an ophthalmology certificate plus a visiting cardiologist and orthopaedic surgeon to learn from.
Key Duties
- Assisting the Head Nurse in the management of the nursing team and supporting when necessary with general nursing duties, ensuring efficient running of all surgical areas at all times.
- Demonstrating an excellent work protocol in all nursing duties including theatre practice, lab techniques, assisting veterinary surgeons with anaesthesia, with a high level of hygiene and the ability to recognise and undertake relevant actions with regards to infection control.
- Dispensing drugs safely and managing pharmaceuticals in accordance with legislation, able to calculate drug doses and dispense and prepare drugs as prescribed by the veterinary surgeon whilst maintaining appropriate drug records.
- Daily running of Clinical procedures, and oversee that all surgical cases are dealt with in a timely manner, and that unnecessary delays are prevented at all times.
- Work closely with the Head Nurse, vets and non-surgical team including attending regular meetings to ensure all areas are working together effectively and efficiently.
- Ensure that patient records are being completed accurately and that all patient care instructions are followed by the nursing team.
- Ensure all members of the nursing team are aware of their roles and job descriptions and are clear on the objectives they are working towards.
- Provide the support and training necessary to achieve the standards required of them at all times.
- Either personally by mentoring/discussions/provision of CPD, and observing processes or by organising external CPD as appropriate.
- Become a Clinical Coach and support with the planning of student tutorials and training where necessary.
- Demonstrate an understanding of staff motivation, team working, different learning styles and different methods of assessing an employee's performance.
- Assist the Head Nurse in carrying out regular performance reviews and update training documents or competency checklists as appropriate to ensure all of the nursing team are competent in the performance of their duties.
- Promote the practice and group policies and guidelines that apply to all employees and effectively manage any performance issues.
Work-life balance
- 6.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
- Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
- Your birthday as a paid day off
Wellbeing
- Private Medical Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline
- Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
- Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
Development
- £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid CPD leave pro rata
- Certificate support
- Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
- Access to Vetlexicon – our online encyclopaedia provider
- All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding
- Infection Prevention and Control Programme
- Quality Improvement Programme
Professional Memberships
- VDS cover
- RCVS fees
Colleague Benefits
- Company pension scheme. IVC Evidensia will make a contribution as well
- Supporting a greener commute to work with a Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria
- Voluntary benefits: we give you the flexibility to choose from a range of voluntary benefits to suit you
- Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
- Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Up to £37,000 per annum DOE
Seniority Level: Mid-Senior level
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Function: Health Care Provider
Industries: Veterinary Services
Head Nurse - Small Animal in Woking employer: IVC Evidensia UK
Contact Detail:
IVC Evidensia UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Nurse - Small Animal in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the veterinary field, attend local events, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the practice and its values. Familiarise yourself with their services and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you're not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence. Focus on articulating your skills and experiences clearly, especially those that relate to the Deputy Head Nurse role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our fantastic team at IVC Evidensia.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Nurse - Small Animal in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Deputy Head Nurse role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description, showing us why you're the perfect fit for our team.
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for veterinary nursing shine through in your application. Share any experiences or stories that demonstrate your love for animals and commitment to providing top-notch care.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon, so we can easily see your qualifications and what you bring to the table.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure it reaches us quickly and you’ll have access to all the latest updates about the role and our practice.
How to prepare for a job interview at IVC Evidensia UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your nursing knowledge, especially in areas like anaesthesia and infection control. Familiarise yourself with the specific equipment and procedures used at the practice, as this will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Since teamwork is crucial in a veterinary setting, be ready to discuss your experiences working collaboratively with others. Share examples of how you've supported your colleagues or contributed to a positive team environment in previous roles.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the practice and its culture. Inquire about their approach to staff development or how they handle challenging situations within the team. This demonstrates your interest in not just the role, but also the workplace dynamics.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Skills
As a Deputy Head Nurse, you'll need to show that you can lead and mentor others. Be ready to discuss any past experiences where you've taken charge, trained new staff, or improved processes. This will help convey your readiness for the role.
