At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a passionate nursing team while delivering high-quality veterinary care.
- Company: Join the UK's number one vet care provider, dedicated to healthier animals and happier owners.
- Benefits: Enjoy 6.6 weeks' annual leave, private medical insurance, and a £1,000 welcome bonus.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with clear career pathways and ongoing professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in animal care and shape the future of veterinary nursing.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Veterinary Nurse with leadership experience and a passion for clinical excellence.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 38000 £ per year.
At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners. We are seeking an enthusiastic, team-orientated Head Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our team at Hart Veterinary Centre on a full-time basis, with a £1,000 welcome bonus.
Hart Veterinary Centre is a long-established and growing practice, caring for pets since 1993. With modern surgeries in Bicester and Waddesdon, we are dedicated to providing high-quality veterinary care with compassion, building strong relationships with clients and delivering the very best care to their pets. Our Bicester Hospital is an RCVS Accredited surgery, well-equipped with DR x-ray, Idexx diagnostic machines, a dental suite, modern anaesthetic monitoring equipment, and dedicated inpatient facilities. We are also a Silver Standard ISFM accredited Cat Clinic, with separate areas for cats and dogs to help create a calm and welcoming environment.
Our out-of-hours care is provided by our own 24-hour veterinary team, with dedicated night nurses caring for inpatients throughout the night. This means our patients receive the same high standard of care overnight as they do during the day, while also allowing us to support local practices with emergency and inpatient care.
How You’ll Make a Difference
As a Head Veterinary Nurse, you will provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team, overseeing all nursing aspects of the practice and supporting the delivery of high-quality patient and client care. You’ll be responsible for setting and maintaining nursing standards, leading clinical governance and quality improvement activity, and developing a capable, confident nursing team. Working closely with the wider practice leadership team, you'll play a key role in shaping culture, performance and ways of working. This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced RVN who wants to shape, support, and lead a professional nursing team. With two Deputy Head Nurses in place to support you, you’ll have the opportunity to bring the team with you, promote high standards, and contribute to the ongoing development of the practice. This is a full-time role working 40 hours per week. Rota details can be discussed at interview.
General responsibilities include:
- Lead, support, and develop the nursing team, promoting high clinical standards
- Support the smooth day-to-day running of back-of-house clinical areas
- Deliver hands-on nursing care across theatre, inpatient care, and nurse consultations
- Help mentor and guide colleagues, including students and less experienced team members
You Might Be a Great Fit If...
You are an experienced and confident Registered Veterinary Nurse with strong leadership capability and a passion for clinical excellence. You'll bring:
- Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS
- Significant experience in clinical practice with advanced medical and surgical nursing skills
- Proven experience of leading, mentoring and developing nursing teams
- Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement and professional standards
- Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills
How We’ll Support You
At inspiring vet care, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:
- A senior leadership role with accountability for nursing standards and team development
- Clear career pathways with progression opportunities into wider practice leadership roles
- Ongoing learning and development to support leadership, governance and strategic growth
- A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement
What We Offer Our Team
- 6.6 weeks' annual leave plus your birthday off
- Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
- Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
- Private Medical Insurance
- Employee wellbeing initiatives including - Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
- £550 CPD allowance plus 24hrs paid leave
- Certificate support
- RCVS and VDS fees covered
- Pension scheme
- Discounted veterinary care
- Voluntary benefits: choose from a range of benefits to suit you - including Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world-class learning resources. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.
Lead Veterinary Nurse - Clinical Excellence & Growth in Bicester employer: Ivc
At Inspiring Vet Care, we prioritise our people and their professional growth, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about animal care. Our Hart Veterinary Centre in Bicester offers a supportive and collaborative work culture, with clear career pathways, ongoing development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package including generous annual leave, private medical insurance, and a £550 CPD allowance. Join us to lead a dedicated nursing team in a well-equipped, accredited practice that values clinical excellence and community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Veterinary Nurse - Clinical Excellence & Growth in Bicester
✨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 thoroughly. Understand their values, services, and recent achievements. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Talk about your experience in mentoring and developing teams, as this is key for the Head Veterinary Nurse role. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous positions.
✨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 amazing team at Hart Veterinary Centre.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Veterinary Nurse - Clinical Excellence & Growth in Bicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for veterinary nursing shine through! We want to see your genuine love for animal care and how you can contribute to our mission of healthier animals and happier owners.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to customise your CV to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We’re looking for strong leadership capabilities and clinical excellence, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your information logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Hart Veterinary Centre. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ivc
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your clinical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss your experience in veterinary nursing, especially any advanced medical and surgical skills you've developed. This role is all about setting high standards, so be prepared to share examples of how you've done this in the past.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Veterinary Nurse, you'll need to lead and mentor your team. Think of specific instances where you've successfully guided colleagues or improved team performance. Highlight your ability to foster a collaborative environment and how you can contribute to shaping the practice's culture.
✨Understand Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the values and mission of the practice. They focus on compassionate care and building strong relationships with clients. Be ready to explain how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goal of healthier animals and happier owners.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask during the interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the practice. You might want to inquire about their approach to clinical governance or how they support ongoing development for their nursing team. It’s a great way to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the position.
