At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a passionate nursing team while ensuring high-quality patient care.
- Company: Join the UK's number one vet care provider, dedicated to healthier animals and happier owners.
- Benefits: Enjoy 6.6 weeks of annual leave, private medical insurance, and a £550 CPD allowance.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with clear career pathways and ongoing professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a Registered Veterinary Nurse with strong leadership and clinical skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 36000 £ 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 a knowledgeable, confident Head Veterinary Nurse to join our team at Homefield Road Veterinary Surgery on a full‑time basis.
We are a two‑branch clinic with a close‑knit, supportive team culture. Homefield Road practice in Bury St Edmunds is a modern, purpose‑built facility that opened in 2009. Hawkedon offers the charm of a peaceful village setting. Both sites are fully equipped to provide the highest standard of care for our clients and their pets. We are passionate about professional development and empowering our nurses to thrive. You’ll be encouraged to pursue your individual interests through CPD and supported to grow within a practice that truly values its people.
Our experienced team of vets, nurses, and support staff bring a wide range of skills and interests, creating a collaborative environment where everyone supports one another in our busy clinics. Training and career progression are actively encouraged, with many of our clinical team either holding or working towards additional qualifications. This allows us to offer a broad range of expertise and specialisms across the practice. Our nurses play a vital role within the team. They are given a high level of responsibility, with opportunities to fully utilise and develop their skills across all aspects of nursing.
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 role is for 40 hours over 4 or 5 days per week, covering a variety of shifts, including a 1‑in‑6 Saturday morning rota, 8:30 am-2 pm.
General responsibilities include:
- Leading and supporting the nursing team
- Overseeing nurse rotas and workflow
- Maintaining clinical standards and protocols
- Supporting and mentoring student nurses and junior team members
- Assisting with theatre, inpatient care, and consultations
- Stock control and equipment management
- Promoting a positive and collaborative team culture
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 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 24 hrs paid leave
- Certificate support
- RCVS and VDS fees covered
- Pension scheme
- Discounted veterinary care
- Voluntary benefits: 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.
Head Veterinary Nurse in Haverhill employer: Ivc
At Inspiring Vet Care, we pride ourselves on being the UK's leading veterinary provider, where our dedicated team is central to our mission of ensuring healthier animals and happier owners. Located in the charming village of Bury St Edmunds, our modern facilities foster a supportive and collaborative work culture, offering extensive professional development opportunities and a commitment to employee wellbeing. With generous benefits including 6.6 weeks of annual leave, a £550 CPD allowance, and a focus on career progression, we empower our Head Veterinary Nurses to thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact in the lives of pets and their owners.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Veterinary Nurse in Haverhill
✨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 practising common questions and scenarios specific to veterinary nursing. Role-play with a friend or use our resources to boost your confidence and showcase your leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for animal care during interviews. Share stories that highlight your experience and commitment to clinical excellence. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares about the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities and updates about our supportive team culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Veterinary Nurse in Haverhill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for veterinary nursing shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your love for animal care and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to tailor your CV to the Head Veterinary Nurse role. Highlight your leadership skills, clinical governance experience, and any specialisations that align with what we’re looking for at Homefield Road Veterinary Surgery.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience at a glance. We appreciate straightforward communication!
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 to join our supportive team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ivc
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your veterinary knowledge, especially around clinical governance and nursing standards. Be ready to discuss your experience in leading teams and how you've maintained high-quality patient care.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led and mentored nursing teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you improved team performance or supported junior members, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Team Culture
Since the practice values a collaborative environment, be ready to talk about how you promote a positive team culture. Share your thoughts on teamwork and how you would contribute to maintaining a supportive atmosphere at Homefield Road.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the practice's approach to professional development and how they support their staff. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the practice aligns with your career goals.